A week in Vancouver
A week in Vancouver
The kids went to Vancouver a week earlier than we went and had we not been so worried about Bifrosts mom who has been in the hospital and REALLY sick it would have been great reconnection time. As it was we did what we could.
We started out our holiday a bit unexpectedly which is funny considering I have planned this vacation for about two years. Bifrost had to go to Vancouver a day early to go see his mom and help with the kids, I am glad he did but it meant that I needed to finish the weeks cooking (we wanted to have a week free of cooking but not a week of paying for restraunt food so I made things ahead)
Monday the 25th.
My darling daughter turned 12. She is taller than I am and so beautiful it takes my breath away sometimes.
Kate started off the day Royally w fruit salad and English muffins and than off we went to the Mountainview Conservation farm.
Tour was amazing, Kate said "best birthday ever"
Alex said "It was awesome"
Dad said RINO
Mom said wow
Favorite animals
- Ivan the Rhino was beautiful as an animal of that size only can. We were really happy with his enclosure too, he looked well cared for and happy in a way I haven't seen caged animals before (only large animal I have seen kept without foot problems as he *isn't* on concrete all the time.
- Loki the (something) cat came out briefly and was so beautiful.
- the giraffes seemed as inquisitive of us as we were of them
- Dr. Livingstone was some sort of very large bird and again very curious about us the Condors that were caged nearby were amazing an and showed off their amazing plumage
Stopped for window shopping and lunch at Ft Langley and the sun came out briefly
Driving through Vancouver we arrived at a corner and suddenly we realized we were in a movie set!
Scene was in NY NY and the licence plates were all NY and someone screamed ACTION and than people were moving across the road and a jack hammer started. FUN but nerve racking for the driver. Poor daddy!
Arrived at the "B&B" problems with the CC and Alex saved the day, worked out in the end but a little more excitement signing in than I care to have. Couldn't find the toaster, internet sucked, remote control didn't work, and we had to take out our own garbage and make our beds! But it was cheep for Vancouver standards and we had a full kitchen. Even found the toaster eventually.
AND we were close to downtown less than 10 min from the Science centre and art gallery.
Than off to see grandma at the hospital. Looked like hell and had us pretty worried.
Dad and I went for a walk up commercial and kids hung out and played computer.
Tuesday
Went off to the Aquarium and it was great. The Amazon exhibit was the biggest hit which is funny but the warm just was so needed as the weather was typically Vancouver. The jelly fish were the other hit and they were just gorgeous. I have to upload my pictures.
Than off to the planetarium, poor mom tried to call during the show and got hung up on! But it was a blast from my past and the kids loved the space show.
Back to the B&B for supper - I had pre-made curries and we cooked noodles and had a great meal.
Grandpa Dave joined us and than we went off to the Art gallery. Didn't have enough time but it was awesome. Not awesome was them shutting down the elevators first to help convince people to leave so it means all the cripples must leave early. Nice.
Rained most of the day
Wednesday
Off to see Grandma first, looking a little bit better and than off to the Capalano suspension bridge. Amazing, the new part of an upper walkway in the trees is inspiring and of course the smell of the rain in the woods is wonderful.
Sun came out briefly and than we went off to the Science centre.
Science centre was ok, had to wait behind able bodied people a lot of time for the elevator. I wasn't very impressed. The person I talked to about it said that there were signs. Sigh
Off we went to the Harbour towers - cloud nine restraunt. Kids looked amazing so grown up! Dad and Grandpa Dave and I all looked pretty snazzy too. Than we got there and found they have relaxed the dress code and were allowing flash photography. I spoke quietly to the waitress about that and it slowed down from the other table but was a bit annoying.
The meal itself was grand and what can be said about the scenery. It was amazing.
Thursday morning we went off to Grandville island and explored. Looked for presents and found none. Found a loom that I want when I grow up. It is computerized so one has only one peddle. Yummy.
Saw samples of copper weaving Bifrost and I might give it a try.
Than we spent the afternoon on the sky train. While on the train my dad called and we met up after spending time on the train (stopping at Metro town to do shopping (I needed long underwear and hadn't brought any!!) and seeing some very cute kittens.
Stopped and had a coffee with my dad back in town. it was a bit awkward and we demurred at having supper out with him which was a good thing as we found out Grandma had been taken back into the hospital. Had home made ice-cream with Grandpa Dave and home for bed.
Friday!
Alex is 15!! Tall and handsome and I am so proud. We had mucked up though and not done much for his breakfast.
Went off and saw Grandma and she is looking pretty good.
PNE - my sister gave the kids passes to get into the PNE and it was great. Did just enough rides and saw pretty much everything.
Made up for the lack of breakfast with supper and treats, spent WAY to much money on the thoughrow fair.
Roller coasters were the best but having a ride with each of the kids alone was a blast.
Saturday morning we got up at 7 and started packing like mad. The plan had originally been that we would meet Grandpa Dave at 10 or 11 for breakfast and were ready at 9! Picked up peaches at the market and squeeeeeeezed them in and headed for home!
Going back to bed now.
The kids went to Vancouver a week earlier than we went and had we not been so worried about Bifrosts mom who has been in the hospital and REALLY sick it would have been great reconnection time. As it was we did what we could.
We started out our holiday a bit unexpectedly which is funny considering I have planned this vacation for about two years. Bifrost had to go to Vancouver a day early to go see his mom and help with the kids, I am glad he did but it meant that I needed to finish the weeks cooking (we wanted to have a week free of cooking but not a week of paying for restraunt food so I made things ahead)
Monday the 25th.
My darling daughter turned 12. She is taller than I am and so beautiful it takes my breath away sometimes.
Kate started off the day Royally w fruit salad and English muffins and than off we went to the Mountainview Conservation farm.
Tour was amazing, Kate said "best birthday ever"
Alex said "It was awesome"
Dad said RINO
Mom said wow
Favorite animals
- Ivan the Rhino was beautiful as an animal of that size only can. We were really happy with his enclosure too, he looked well cared for and happy in a way I haven't seen caged animals before (only large animal I have seen kept without foot problems as he *isn't* on concrete all the time.
- Loki the (something) cat came out briefly and was so beautiful.
- the giraffes seemed as inquisitive of us as we were of them
- Dr. Livingstone was some sort of very large bird and again very curious about us the Condors that were caged nearby were amazing an and showed off their amazing plumage
Stopped for window shopping and lunch at Ft Langley and the sun came out briefly
Driving through Vancouver we arrived at a corner and suddenly we realized we were in a movie set!
Scene was in NY NY and the licence plates were all NY and someone screamed ACTION and than people were moving across the road and a jack hammer started. FUN but nerve racking for the driver. Poor daddy!
Arrived at the "B&B" problems with the CC and Alex saved the day, worked out in the end but a little more excitement signing in than I care to have. Couldn't find the toaster, internet sucked, remote control didn't work, and we had to take out our own garbage and make our beds! But it was cheep for Vancouver standards and we had a full kitchen. Even found the toaster eventually.
AND we were close to downtown less than 10 min from the Science centre and art gallery.
Than off to see grandma at the hospital. Looked like hell and had us pretty worried.
Dad and I went for a walk up commercial and kids hung out and played computer.
Tuesday
Went off to the Aquarium and it was great. The Amazon exhibit was the biggest hit which is funny but the warm just was so needed as the weather was typically Vancouver. The jelly fish were the other hit and they were just gorgeous. I have to upload my pictures.
Than off to the planetarium, poor mom tried to call during the show and got hung up on! But it was a blast from my past and the kids loved the space show.
Back to the B&B for supper - I had pre-made curries and we cooked noodles and had a great meal.
Grandpa Dave joined us and than we went off to the Art gallery. Didn't have enough time but it was awesome. Not awesome was them shutting down the elevators first to help convince people to leave so it means all the cripples must leave early. Nice.
Rained most of the day
Wednesday
Off to see Grandma first, looking a little bit better and than off to the Capalano suspension bridge. Amazing, the new part of an upper walkway in the trees is inspiring and of course the smell of the rain in the woods is wonderful.
Sun came out briefly and than we went off to the Science centre.
Science centre was ok, had to wait behind able bodied people a lot of time for the elevator. I wasn't very impressed. The person I talked to about it said that there were signs. Sigh
Off we went to the Harbour towers - cloud nine restraunt. Kids looked amazing so grown up! Dad and Grandpa Dave and I all looked pretty snazzy too. Than we got there and found they have relaxed the dress code and were allowing flash photography. I spoke quietly to the waitress about that and it slowed down from the other table but was a bit annoying.
The meal itself was grand and what can be said about the scenery. It was amazing.
Thursday morning we went off to Grandville island and explored. Looked for presents and found none. Found a loom that I want when I grow up. It is computerized so one has only one peddle. Yummy.
Saw samples of copper weaving Bifrost and I might give it a try.
Than we spent the afternoon on the sky train. While on the train my dad called and we met up after spending time on the train (stopping at Metro town to do shopping (I needed long underwear and hadn't brought any!!) and seeing some very cute kittens.
Stopped and had a coffee with my dad back in town. it was a bit awkward and we demurred at having supper out with him which was a good thing as we found out Grandma had been taken back into the hospital. Had home made ice-cream with Grandpa Dave and home for bed.
Friday!
Alex is 15!! Tall and handsome and I am so proud. We had mucked up though and not done much for his breakfast.
Went off and saw Grandma and she is looking pretty good.
PNE - my sister gave the kids passes to get into the PNE and it was great. Did just enough rides and saw pretty much everything.
Made up for the lack of breakfast with supper and treats, spent WAY to much money on the thoughrow fair.
Roller coasters were the best but having a ride with each of the kids alone was a blast.
Saturday morning we got up at 7 and started packing like mad. The plan had originally been that we would meet Grandpa Dave at 10 or 11 for breakfast and were ready at 9! Picked up peaches at the market and squeeeeeeezed them in and headed for home!
Going back to bed now.