The Blommesteins: Field Trips

We've been having a really great time going to different attractions around town. It's great to see that for some of them, Ethan is old enough to enjoy them rather than tagging along in the stroller with the snack trap in hand.

Last week I took the kids to the Aquarium because it's been a while since we've gone. Maddy was very excited because she just loves it there. When I pulled up in the parking lot there was a line up that wrap around the side of the building to the sidewalk. My stomach dropped because there was no way I wanted to line up for that long. Luckily, the line up was for non-members only! Phew, that was one tantrum that we narrowly missed. The aquarium was fun and very busy, so after a quick look around we went out to Stanley Park. Maddy and I shared some popcorn and the whole time there were a couple of seagulls watching us. I could tell that Maddy wanted to feed them, but I had to tell her not to because the birds in Stanley Park are a little vicious. I could just picture us in a swarm of birds and both kids screaming. Actually, mom would be screaming right along with them. :) We had a great time and both kids fell asleep before I could even get out of the park. Ahhhh...peace and quiet for a nice drive. I forgot to bring my camera on this day.

On Saturday Josh had to head into work because they have a deadline coming up. With the rainy weather, I didn't want to stay at home so I took the kids to the Play Palace in the Kerrisdale skating arena. I'd come across it while the surfing the net a little while ago. Our friends Chris and Monique called us and so we met up for lunch with them before. I was pretty happy that I could manage both kids by myself in a restaurant. Maddy was very well behaved and I brought a lot of food for Ethan. The Play Palace was extremely busy because of the rain, but it was tons of fun. They have a special toddler/preschool area that was perfect for both Maddy and Ethan to play.

Ethan really loved this drum, especially when everyone was banging on it.

On the other side they have ride-on toys and then larger bouncy/inflatable slides. Maddy really wanted to go on the slide, but adults are not allowed on. So I strapped Ethan in the Ergo and sent Maddy up alone. I don't know if you tell from pictures, but it really is big. When she got up there, she took one look down and started to cry. My heart was breaking for her and I couldn't even go up to help her back down. Luckily there was a nice looking girl and I asked her to go up and help Maddy. Maddy came back down the stairs and looked at the slide again. I guess she really wanted to give it a try, so she went up with the little girl again and this time she came down the slide. It was awesome to see her overcome her nervousness and then find that it was really fun. Ethan on the other hand would've climbed up there if I'd let him. He wanted to follow Jeh Jeh in this tunnel thing, so I let him do that. Poor guy, he would've made it up, but his feet were to slippery in his socks. He was a little sad when Maddy disappeared off in the tunnel. Don't worry Ethan, we'll go again soon. Again, both kids konked out easily on the way home. Heaven.

"Help me, Mama!"

Yesterday, Joanne brought the girls over and we all went to the Burnaby Village Museum and Carousel. I've taken Maddy to the Carousel before, but it was really fast and she only wanted to sit on the benches. This time, I was sure to show her the little horses that don't move up and down. They were the perfect size for her. For the first ride, I even took Ethan on. He liked sitting on the horse for the first little bit, then I sat on the floor with him in my lap and he had a good time. Maddy went for a second ride with Frances and Pippa and I stayed with Ethan on the side. When Maddy came off, she was soooo proud of herself for going on all by herself. Joanne told me that she said "No, Auntie Jo, don't hold me" during the ride. She's really growing up.

In the museum they had an old fashion car giving rides around the town, so we lined up and all went for a ride.

After some ice cream we went to see the blacksmith. We watched as she made a hook and at the end, she said that Maddy could take the hook home. Well! That was just icing on the cake! Once again, Zzzzzzz in the car. :)