Today Gracen and I headed out on a mission. Flash drive in hand, we left the apartment on foot in search of a photography studio to develop some pictures for us. I’m pleased to say that our mission was successful and the combination of the walk, the heat, and the air (I almost always automatically type ‘fresh’ in front of ‘air’ and then have to go back and change it when I realize we’re talking about Kuwait where the air is almost always too hot and/or dusty to have the title ‘fresh’ ) earned us a great nap for Miss G, our recently reluctant napper. A few shots from our adventure…
blow up toys at the bacala // i spy a construction site
Finished off a lovely day by escaping cooking in our 30 degree house and eating dinner on the patio of one of our favourite local restaurants instead. Now that’s seriously awesome.
headed out // lunch for two
Enjoying a bread treat and the view.
A kid-operated water feature – a playground favourite!
“Mama, I’m following the water!”
Searching for fish.
Though we had plans to go to Stanley Park this morning for a big pop-up play date, Brad called as we were headed out the door to let us know the ultimate frisbee tournament he was coaching at was just a few blocks from our house. Not having time to do both, I let Miss G make the decision… Her choice? The tournament. I’m willing to guess that Papa + his students + live sports would beat out a playground visit any day. While we were there, the girls absolutely showered her with attention. She got hugs, secret handshake lessons, flower crowns, bubbles blown for her, and plenty of in unison ‘Awwwwwww!’s. It was a good morning.
Another day at the beach. Because it’s too gorgeous to be anywhere else. 
With days as gorgeous as today, there’s no choice but to soak it all in. It was a morning of sand and sunshine at Spanish Banks for us today.
Saturdays don’t come better than this.
File all of these lovely things – cool sunshiny mornings, layers and boots, days with grandmas – under things we’ll miss once back in Kuwait.
This morning was my favourite kind. Gracen woke up just past 7, we snuggled in bed until we were good and ready to start the day, and we made our way to the kitchen. She sat on her toddler bench gobbling up wholewheat pancakes with peanut butter, and I threw a mix of green veggies and frozen fruit into the blender with a splash of cold water. After breakfast, we gathered a blanket, a book, our smoothies and headed off for an adventure in the wagon. I snuck in some exercise by choosing the hilliest routes and made sure to pass by a park so Grae could have a good long play. Afterwards we made our way to a local coffee shop where Grae slurped up a warm milk and I enjoyed my first iced coffee of the year. Before heading home, I pulled the wagon {and my little love} through our local market and we filled it up with fresh fruits and veggies. She helped herself to bananas and clementines on the way home, and I enjoyed the sunshine, cool wind, and cherry blossoms overhead. It was a good day.
While we have many favourite playgrounds around Vancouver (like 
Upon arriving, I realized that although the park was new to us, I’d been there countless times before with the children I nannied throughout my university (and beginning teaching) days. I guess I should have made the realization based on the area and park address, but whole ‘West Point Grey Park’ title threw me off. I, and everyone I’ve ever heard speak of the park, have always called it Trimble Park. Who knew its actual name was something different?! 
Name confusion aside, this park was a lot of fun back in the day, and is even better due to some recent (or at least semi-recent) additions. 
Included are three separate play structures (2 big ones and a teeny tiny one for very little ones), 6 slides, 2 sets of swings (baby, toddler, and regular included), a tire swing, hanging bars, a teeter-totter, and lots of space for playing in the sand and rocks.
A fun addition since my last visit is this rock climbing wall. Though still needing a tiny bit of assistance, Gracen loved climbing up and liked hanging out on top with all of the big kids even more.
The other thing I love about this park is the natural play areas. This little cove of trees was a favourite of the kids I nannied, and Grae loves it too. She’s hiding here. Can’t you tell?
To top it all off, the park has basketball courts, soccer fields, and baseball diamonds, plus public washrooms (warm water and soap included!)
We woke up to an absolutely gorgeous sunny day today and immediately packed up a lunch and headed down to our favourite beach-front playground. As always, Grae spent tons of time climbing ladders, sliding through tunnels, riding the swings, and spinning on the merry-go-round, but during this visit, she spent just as much time climbing on and off this log, adding bits and pieces, and tending to her delicious-looking mud soup.
Unlike 
Something I absolutely love doing on weekends is going on little family adventures. Driving to a part of the city we don’t frequent often, parking the car, and exploring. Add in a sunny gorgeous day after a long run of rainy ones, and it’s that much better.