Easter Morning

 

The Easter Bunny found our house again! He always brings us some chocolates, as well as something for outside. This year, he brought the girls basebal gloves and a bat. After breakfast, we went for a walk on the trail down the road from our house. It's funny, but the Easter Bunny usually leaves some chocloates there as well. The girls ask to go back year after year now because it seems to keep happening!

Active Start

Aja started a new 10 week program today called Active Start. It introduces the basics of soccer, but it's parent participation based, so you do some of the drills with your child. Aja loved it!

Worms for Sale!

Aja has many different personalities. One of them is her humorous side where she loves to joke around and get a laugh/reaction out of you. Last weekend, she went for a morning bird walk with Chris and she came home with this pile of worms shoved into her fleece pocket! She then prcoeeded to empty them on our kitchen floor to check them out. They now live in our compost!

Smuggler's Cove

 

 

 

 

We did another of our favourite hikes this morning: Smuggler's Cove. This has always been one of my favourite trails, but it's amazing how much it has changed over the years. The beavers continually damn the area so the trail keeps changing and more boardwalks need to be built with rising water levels. We were lucky enough to see these great Western Painted Turtles sunning themselves as well as some Trumpeter Swans flying by! Check out Aja's new look. We call her all sorts of pirate names. She lost her tooth a few days ago and the other one is just hanging on by a thread so she looks so funny!

Octopus Anyone?

When we went to Vancouver, we wanted to go out for some good Chinese food. We found a little place in Richmond and were the only Caucasian people in a very crowded restaurant. The waiter was so kind and helped us pick some dishes. In one of our dishes, we had octopus. Now, let me tell you, I love calamari, but this was no calamri! I'm talking whole tentacles here!!!!!! So, Sedona, Chris and I all tried it, while Aja politely declined! It was quite chewy and lacked any sort of flavour, but made for a good story and picture for Grandma Lou!!!

The River Rock

We went into Vancouver on Friday and spent the night at The River Rock. It's funny because I never would have thought to stay there as it's a casino, but we'd had a few people mention to us how great it is for kids. So we decided to mix it up and stay there for the night. Whenever we go into Vancouver and stay at a hotel, the big criteria is the pool. Well, this is the winner!!!! There's a waterslide so the girls loved it so we all agree, this is where we'll go back when we need our city fix. We have decided we like staying in Richmond (by the airport) better too because it's quieter- none of us ever sleep well when we stay downtown because of the sirens and traffic all night- we're just so used to sleeping in absolute silence where we live!

Sechelt Pump Track

On Wednesday, we went to the grand opening of the Sechelt Pump Track. For those of you who don't know what a pump track is, it's a dirt course that goes in a circles with lots of rolling hills. The idea is once you get going, you don't have to really pedal, but just keep pumping. The girls had a great time there tonight for their first ride. 

Skate Skiis

Now that Sedona can skate ski, I wanted to try too. I've always heard it's the most AMAZING workout. So, I got a pair of used skate skiis and gave it a try the other day and it's incredible how hard you have to work. I loved it though! It wasn't hard to pick up but I definitely need some work on technique and going up hills! That will come next season. Thanks for the early birthday present Mom!!!

Dying Easter Eggs

 

 

 

We had Sedona's friend Julianne over the other day. We had planned to dye Easter eggs. I've always just done the hardboiled method, but Julianne inspired me to try the method where you blow the egg out. She had done this with her Grandmother. She told me exactly how to do it: get a nail and a hammer and tap each end. it took a bit of practice and a couple of cracked eggs, but then I got the hang of it. It was quite cool. Then we had a big batch of scrambled eggs for lunch and my house doesn't reek of hardboiled eggs!

Running... Really?

Chris has never really enjoyed running, but in Florida at Christmas, he came out with me a few times and didn't mind it. Then when we got him, he went out a couple of times on his own and said he actually enjoyed it a bit. The other day, we had a babysitter booked and were supposed to go for a ride, but the trails have been so muddy so Chris suggested we run instead. I was shocked! I took him on one of my favourite trail runs to Triangle Lake. I was soooo happy to be able to run with him!

Soaking up the Sun

Okay, it's not Hawaii, but we'll take it after last week's rain! Sedona sat outside on the deck for over an hour reading her book yesterday! 

Spring Break Shred

 

 

We took the girls to the newest bike trail on the coast (official opening was last Wednesday) today and tried it out. 

Finl Jackrabbits Session

 

 

 

 

Last week was the girls' final Jackrabbits session, but instead of their usual lesson, they got to join in on races, a scavenger hunt, an obstacle course and fun games. It was the best season yet as the weather and roads totally cooperated! 

Feeding the Ducks

 

These ducks followed Sedona for a good stretch around the duck marsh. We also saw a hummingbird's nest which was pretty cool! 

Spring Fling

Last night we had a "Spring Fling" dance/potluck at our school. They had no inhibitions and just danced up a storm with their friends.

Saturday Hike

 

 

 

Chris and I took the girls hiking yesterday to one of our old favourite spots where we used to ride when we lived in Sandy Hook: Slick Rock. It's always so great to get out as a family and do something outside!