Cherry Bomb and Parkour

Bronwyn has been bugging me to take her to a store called "Cherry Bomb" in downtown Vancouver. We passed it on our way to the Christmas Party in December; a custom T-shirt store (and more). A particular T-shirt (a stormtrooper wearing a Santa hat) caught her eye. Every weekend, well, every day, since then she has asked; "Can we go to Cherry Bomb?" "You said you'd take me to Cherry Bomb." "We're going to Cherry Bomb, right?" "Remember you said we could go to Cherry Bomb?" Relentless.

"It's a lame t-shirt store", I responded negatively, "You will be disappointed." And I blabbed on about not wanting to waste my precious weekend time. But the requests weren't going to stop until we'd made the trip. So on Sunday, a warm and cloudy day, Mike and I decided that we should all do a bike trip downtown. Well, actually, we parked our bikes close to the Burrard Bridge, and walked over the bridge and into downtown.

It was a fun afternoon. Cherry Bomb did not disappoint Bronwyn. It was not the store that I remembered or thought it was and so I had to eat my words. You can choose a design from 100s of pics and get it printed on a t-shirt or sweatshirt. We only had time and money to look at the pre-made shirts. Many of them are not what you'd call 'child-friendly'; lots of drug motifs. As well, the store has a whole bunch of vintage Playboy magazines everywhere. I didn't understand the connection (custom t-shirts - Playboy...nope, still don't get it). The far back of the store appears to be a head shop...beware when you are taking curious children. With all the weed 'dispensaries' opening up in Vancouver (about 4 in our own neighbourhood), I am answering a lot of questions about Cannabis lately. Which is a subject for another post. We enjoyed looking around and, of course, came out with a shirt for Bronwyn, a phone case for Nicky, and a wallet for River.
 

 

As we approached downtown along Granville Sreet, the kids got quiet. I could see them looking around at the strange array of people we were passing. A group of teenagers, not much older than them, dishevelled and scruffy, covered with sleeping bags and crouched together with their dogs. "I feel really sorry for the dogs", Bronwyn said. I remembered a Seinfeld skit where he asks what is the point of having a dog if you're homeless, with the dog probably thinking, "Hey, I can do this by myself!" If you are a dog owned by a homeless person are you a stray dog? Anyway, the kids gradually warmed up to the surroundings and what started as apprehension soon turned into interest. It is quite a colourful part of downtown; grungy restaurants, seedy looking adult stores (although they are far fewer than there used to be), flop houses. We watched as a slow and stooped old guy struggled with his walker to to enter the adult store, which advertised 25c peep shows and other 'delights'. Alongside this scene is the up-and-coming side to Granville Street; hotels and newish trendy stores and restaurants as you get closer to the downtown core.

 

Nicky impressed us with his parkour skills; jumping and spinning and climbing over any structure he saw along the way. And downtown is great for that, walls and steps to jump and climb, gates and poles to negotiate. Bronwyn followed a little more apprehensively. River followed too. When Nicky jumped a fence or bicycle rack, River would follow and crawl under it. It was quite funny. River lacks the balance and coordination that Nicky revels in. He is way more cautious, but he got into the spirit of it. So did Bronwyn, who is growing into a young lady and perhaps thought it was a little undignified to be flinging herself over walls and railings.

Nicky had to leave as soon as we got back and that always makes us a bit glum. But we'll plan some stuff for the next weekend.

Not Quite New Year

Hena taking River down the slope

Yes, it's me. Still here. I'm gonna try again to keep up this thing. As usual, I am mad at myself for missing so much. River's 8th birthday, Christmas, New Year's Eve at the beach (well, I think I will still post a little about that). Recent trip to Calgary, new jobs....too many new jobs! Kids and outings. All the things that I started this blog in order to document. Of course, I am still journaling - but it's not for anyone's eyes but mine, and not particularly useful. I may recap some events, but time keeps passing and I don't want to play too much catch up. I'll just start from here.

Might as well get down to it, so here are a few pictures from our recent few days in Calgary, visiting Mike's parents. It was a good trip. Not without it's awkwardness, which I could go into if I had more time. It was nice to spend time with them and Gloria kept plying us with delicious food, which is always welcome. We also spent time with Hena, Nicky's cousin (Bronwyn and River's step-cousin?). The kids had fun together and Hena did a great job at teaching River to swim...and toboggan (until a bunch of kids, unexpectedly, crashed into him at the bottom of the hill). We were only in Alberta for a few days last weekend, but on Monday we borrowed the car and drove to Banff. My first visit. We'd arrived in Calgary on the Friday and had already spent the weekend at their place. River had been on his best behaviour. Staying under control and contained takes a lot of effort for River. Just following along with everything, especially new things, is a challenge, but he did well. And we were quite busy; toboganning, swimming at the pool attached to their complex, visiting. It meant that the drive to Banff was a chance for him to relax and so he was quite silly on the way there and driving us crazy. Just as we got to Banff he took a deep breath and announced, "Ok, I've stopped being silly now". "Thank you", we said in relief. I do believe that it is difficult for him to control his silliness when he's had a period of time where he's tried hard to keep control. It tells me what a struggle school must be. Overall, he is doing very well these days and it is good to see. The kids had a great time playing and swimming. They actually took some minutes away from their devices...gasp!

Banff was beautiful, but cold. Around -10 (which is very cold as far as I am concerned). We walked around the Banff Springs Hotel, which is quite an amazing building; majestic and well positioned in the snow-capped mountains. We were playing out in the snow, which was mainly what the kids were interested in doing, and a friendly passer-by/conference goer offered to take our picture. Bronwyn perched herself on top of the mounty statue. Nicky is in the background, leaning on the horse. Of course I will post better pictures as I get back in the groove.

Family in Banff

Mike and Nicky at the top of the hill

Look out below!

Nicky, Bronwyn, and Hena

Banff Hotel

River and I walking in snowy hills near the house

 

The family photo

It was River's first time on an airplane since he was 7 months old. He was very nervous, and so was I. Everyone assured me that he'd be fine, but I wasn't so sure. I had visions of him panicking at take-off. My fears proved unfounded. A few deep breaths and he remained quite calm and even said he really enjoyed going on planes. What a relief!

There have been quite a few adventures since my last post, and I wish I had written about them. Where I can I will try to add some notes about them. The whole purpose of this is to try to record happenings in our lives, mostly for my own benefit and so the kids have something to look back on...and also so that far away relatives, who are bored, will have something to do when every other form of entertainment has been exhausted. Back soon.

Saltery Bay

Bronwyn and a Bull Whip Kelp

We were supposed to spend the whole of last week camping at Saltery Bay, but unfortunately, we had to cut it short. The trip started out well; sunshine and warmth on the journey there. Two beautiful ferry rides with a lovely drive in between. Even the 1000th listen through of "Rock the Casbah" (River's current favourite song) and "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele (Bronwyn's favourite) was okay. And we enjoyed a bright, sun-drenched afternoon in Mermaid Cove. Sunday was also a warm sunny-ish day. This is our 3rd trip to Saltery Bay and I think I covered the area and campground in previous posts. It is a beautiful place to visit. However, we'll probably have to go somewhere else next year, though Bronwyn loves it there. We like it too, but I am reluctant to go to the same place every year and so we're caught between making something a "family tradition" and exploring something new.

Earl's Cove ferry terminal

River loved the trip. For some reason that we can't quite figure out he calls camping "everyone". He kept saying, "I want to go back to everyone". I think it is something from last year. Sleeping was tough. River could not settle and appeared very anxious and agitated by the evening. This resulted in lots of silly behaviour; making noises, laughing, hand- flapping and screaming and babbling excitedly. It is very difficult to distract him. However, by the 3rd night he was settling in.

Bronwyn had a fabulous time jumping around the rocks and exploring the tide pools for crabs and starfish. But there is no question that it is also a lot of work...for us. It is the type of vacation where you need a vacation at the end. The old saying that a "family holiday"' is an oxymoron rings true. No way of getting around it; we were exhausted! We did get to do the things we wanted to: explored the rocks and shoreline, paddled in the kayak. I took Bronwyn out in the kayak for the first time together, which was fun...even if my arms felt like they were going to fall off by the end. We did a bit of swimming and made lots of fires. River was more adventurous this year, climbing and scrambling over the rocks. It was good to see him challenging himself, even if it was scary to watch. Visions of him falling off the rocks into deep water kept flashing before my eyes, making it difficult to relax. All thing considered, I think he preferred hanging around at the campsite where he could play around, line up the chairs and climb in and out of the van.

On Tuesday we woke to rain, but it cleared up in the afternoon. On Wednesday we woke to a solid downpour that had been going on all night. The forecast showed more of the same. We were not into completing any kind of survival challenge so, sadly, it was time to pack-up and make the journey back home. The weather has not been great this summer...I hope it picks up soon!

Bronwyn "roasted" fern branches

How to stop smoke getting in your eyes...wear goggles!

Almost seven

Another rainy Monday...oh 2011, what did we do to piss you off?

My rubbish tribute to Andy Goldsworthy

Back from a fun and relaxing camping trip. I had Friday to read, write, and relax by the campfire and then my sister came up on Saturday and we shared beers, stories, and some good laughs. We also did a couple of hikes. We needed to do something to kill the time in between beers...eh eh. It was a lot of fun. It's been a long time since I have gone camping with another adult! Went to Sasquatch; the same old place I went to the last few times. Next trip will be somewhere different...promise. A couple of pics.

 in the clear-cuts...eerie and desolate

 For some reason Trini decides to dress like a Paintball player when she goes camping...or a member of (what is called in England) the Territorial Army. I had trouble finding her she was so camouflaged. Actually, she didn't wear all the stuff at the same time until I asked her to, for a laugh.

Where's Trini?

 I can't believe Bronwyn turns seven tomorrow. I told her that today is the last day she will be six, that she should make the most of it because she'll never be six ever again. "I never thought of that," she said. Hope I didn't put a damper on things. I don't think so...she is excited to turn seven. Kids don't seem to look back the way we do as adults. Can't wait to tell her we are getting a dog: the ace up our sleeves. I also have to plan a party for Saturday...better start doing something.

We're still here then...for now.

Still here then? World didn't end? Oh well, business as usual. I wonder if some people secretly want it to end so they have an excuse not to do anything...talk about lazy. Anyway, the Kaeshammer show was fantastic. What amazing talent. And the musicians were clearly having a lot of fun. Kaeshammer really is a phenomenal pianist/musician and I am surprised that he isn't more well known. I first bought one of his CDs back in 2000. It was a really fun night out and it was great to spend time with Wendy. Thanks Simon for being out of town so that I was Wendy's date.

Bronwyn and Gala collecting shells

Finally, we got not 1...not 2...but 3.... yes 3, consecutive days of sunshine and warmth last week. A taste of summer...I hope. We made it down to the beach every day and it felt like old times; hanging out while the kids were looking for shells and crabs and digging in the sand. Eating ice-creams and fries bought from the concession. Great fun.

In the above picture (taken by Mike), Bronwyn ran after, and collected, a plastic bag that was blowing along the beach, "So that it wouldn't kill the sea animals". What a back drop. Such a beautiful place to grow up.

 Bronwyn (with lizard face-paint) digging with Nicky (pic by Mike)

Of course, the weather changed in time for the long weekend. But that was okay. I had planned to have a clear-out of the house and garage and that is what happened. I spent all day Sunday (without rest) clearing out the garage, the cupboards, the house, you name it. It felt good...as if I'd taken a power washer and washed through the house. It was much needed and my brain feels less cluttered as a result. I could go another tier and really get rid of stuff, but I think I'll leave it for now. Mark went out and got plants and soil for the deck and it is starting to take shape and look good.

I put this little contraption in the yard for the kids. Our neighbours gave it to us because they were throwing it out (I know, more garbage I collected). I just had to fix the elastic on the edges and re-tie it and hey presto...a bouncing thing for kids who, as we all know, like nothing better than to bounce. Around this neighbourhood there are quite a few yards filled with huge trampolines. You put your kids in and zip it up and they stay in there bouncing up and down for hours and leave you alone. Only thing is you need a huge garden...and when I think about them, they are weird. I also created a sandpit for the kids. All in all, a busy weekend.

Fries at the beach. River's favourite!

On Saturday I attended a writing workshop. I felt I needed a bit of a push and some direction. It was a really useful workshop and it was good to meet other people who would like to write. I have let things slide over the past while and it was good to get a bit of a kick start. Lately, I have met a couple of people who are willing to share and give/receive feedback on writing. I'm looking forward to having something that I can get feedback on. Well, I should say I'm looking forward to finishing something. I have decided to be stricter with my time and more disciplined. No matter how busy I am. There will be more fish sticks and cans of soup for dinner. Any complaints? Well, I think we all know how to use the kitchen equipment, don't we? I am wasting too much of my life doing chores...endless, thankless, and boring.  On top of all River's stuff, it is more than full-time work. Come January I will likely be back working for a money. At this point I cannot imagine how I will even have time to sleep when that time comes. There will have to be some changes to compensate and we may as well start now.

An update on Stefan: he is doing much better. Still on a lot of medication and still having good days and bad days, but overall he is gaining weight and having more good days than bad days. All going well he will be back home on June 6, the day before his 8th birthday...a birthday that we thought he might not see.

Stefan

This week all our thoughts are with Erin, Hogie, Riley, and little Stefan. Stefan is our nephew. He has been very sick for some months and has not been getting any better. Lately, he took a turn for the worse. I visited Erin and Stefan in hospital yesterday. Words cannot express how deeply and unbearably moved I was. I am in awe of Erin's amazing strength and courage. And I am devastated by poor little Stefan's struggle and the suffering he has had to endure. He is just 7 years old. In addition to other health problems, not long after I left the hospital he was diagnosed with a rare condition called a Dystonic Storm. This is an intensely painful condition that has exhausted him and  his poor body. It is also life-threatening for Stefan and he was taken to ICU to be sedated for a couple of days in the hopes that his body can try to recover and he can get some rest. And perhaps Erin and Hogie can get a bit of respite too. I cannot hold back my tears when I think of them and what they have been through, and continue to go through. And when I think of that beautiful little boy. We have to be strong for them, and we have to hope. He is fighter.

Trouble

A week of ailments,  healing, and nursing. My poor babbies. Non-stop coughing...struck down by flu...followed up ear infections (yes, both Bronwyn and River). Bronwyn's ear infection was quite bad. I had to take a screaming, crying little girl to the medical clinic. Whatever happened to home visits from doctors? Anyway, it as if Bronwyn and River are trying to outdo each other. River upped the anti yesterday and got conjunctivitis. "Take that Bronwyn...my eyes are crusted over...haha!" Both kids are on antibiotics - and numerous other drugs. The kitchen counter looks like a pharmacy. I (hope) think they're gradually getting better. The coughing seems endless.

So not much to say about this week really. Pretty boring. The kids have been home from school. (Mind you, there are so many "District Closure Days" and "Professional Days"...that they hardly do a full week anyway.

I let Bronwyn go to school yesterday. There was a field trip to a theatre production. Apparently, Bronwyn was trouble. When I went to pick her up from school the teacher pulled me aside to talk about Bronwyn's behaviour. Apparently, when asked to do something by the teacher, or the teacher's assistant, Bronwyn had asked, "Why?" Neither teacher appreciated this "open defiance". At one point she ran ahead of the class line down the hallway and was called back. Bronwyn said, "You didn't call me back the last times I did that". Then there were a couple of other things (the teacher had made a mental note). I found it amusing. Should have gone Mr. T. and said, "Don't give me no Jibba Jabba". Surely, we want to raise children who ask "Why?" and not children who act with bovine acceptance of everything they are told to do. And the bar is set too high for "good kids", they are not permitted to act out now and again. Especially "good girls"...sitting quietly, raising their hands, helping their friends, doing what they are told. Mostly ignored, patted on the head, and reprimanded for stepping out of their role. By grade 6 they have figured out there's no point to it and by then they are the "behaviour problems" and it's hard to get them back. Okay...off my soap box. I would home-school if it was feasible...and if Bronwyn would learn anything from me. Which she won't because she will argue night is day and day is night with me.

New Radiohead album out today....yes!

Trials and trails...

Well, the ultrasound went okay, aside from the timing mix up. I had an 11am appointment booked a few months ago, dutifully arrived on time, and was directed to the waiting area. Or rather to the 6 black chairs lined up in the hallway. After waiting patiently for over an hour, I began to wonder if something was amiss. So I went back to the reception and asked if there was a problem with my appointment. I was told, "No, everything is fine, we've signed you in and your appointment is at 2pm". I was surprised, "What? But my appointment was sent to me months ago...for 11am". She replied, "Well, I left a message on your phone yesterday to say the appointment had been changed to 2pm". Well I didn't get the message and I was pissed off, to say the least. Yes, I know, I should probably listen to phone messages. However, when I arrived 3 HOURS early why did they not point out that my appointment wasn't until 2pm and that I was a tad early???? Grrrrr. It messed up the whole day. Stupid phones. The ultra sound itself was okay...same old, same old. Essentially, "Hello, I am a stranger....please get your tits out and lie on the bed.".

For some reason I could not sleep on Wednesday night. Bronwyn had some kind of nightmare and wanted to sleep in our bed. That is okay, except I couldn't sleep. As a result I was extremely grumpy when I got up. A banging kitchen cupboards and drawers and bashing pots around kind of angry. Mark made the mistake of telling me to calm down...something like that. I yelled at him to "Leave me alone!" Yes, it was one of those mornings. I felt tired and depressed and didn't see why I was the only one who should suffer. Fortunately,  I managed to get it together to teach and began to feel a bit better (albeit in a fragile kind of way). I got on with the day and went to pick up Bronwyn from school. When I arrived she was playing around with a boy from her class. I said, "Bronwyn, let's go". The boy looked at me and then said to Bronwyn, "Who's that?"  Except like, "Who's that?" Bronwyn said, "That's my mum". He took another good look at me and then turned to Bronwyn, "Really? She looks too old to be a mum". Just perfect. Admittedly, tired and depressed is not my best look, but what was left of my ego (not that much) was left in tatters.

The day did actually get much better. And Friday was okay too, and I had a sleep-over at Michelle's which is always fun and relaxing. The weekend has been okay. Mark made a delicious steak dinner on Saturday. Yesterday we went on a rainy, muddy walk in Pacific Spirit Park, that was fun. I also made an appointment to get my hair cut...seriously cut.

Music, snow, rain, museum, swim...

A bumper post today! River woke up bright and cheery yesterday at 6am. I actually got my act together and had the kids dressed and out for a morning walk. We bought hot chocolate and croissants and took a walk to Jericho Park. We are back to mild temperatures and rain after a spell of freezing cold weather, unusual even for Vancouver.

Dear -10C, 
Let me start by saying that you do not belong here. It would appear that you bought into the Vancouver hype. But, really, the Olympics are long-gone, the real estate is over-valued, the wages are low, and things are really expensive. Including heat. We like the rain and people here cry themselves to sleep if they can't wear their North Face jackets and Hunter boots...it's that type of place. Of course, it is beautiful too, but your heart is out East or farther north and you should go back there where you are accepted, and perhaps even wanted. Do not come back. We hate you.
Yours truly, Vancouver.

By Thursday the temperature started to rise and we got a huge snowfall. Of course, in true Vancouver style, it quickly turned to rain and was basically gone by the afternoon, but it was fun to go out in. I hauled River around Jericho park in the sled/toboggan...or "boat" as he calls it. Jericho park was beautiful, completely transformed and blanketed in white. It is so unusual to see the park covered in snow. I thought there would be more people out and about, but we almost had the place to ourselves. Not that I am complaining.


Jericho Park in the snow



River at Hastings Mill...in his "boat"

Friday was my birthday. Mark and I went out on Tuesday night to celebrate. I'd asked for tickets to one of the Music on Main concerts, Vern Griffiths, percussionist for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (and guests) performing at the Jazz Cellar, a local jazz bar/restuarant. The music was excellent and it was a wonderfully intimate venue. The pieces were very contemporary; first rate musicians playing what they like to play. I'm sure I enjoyed it a lot more than Mark did (I don't think he'd do it again...ever), but it's good to get out of your comfort zone now and then.

On Friday, Bronwyn had the day off school and so we went to the Museum of Anthropology. We couldn't stay too long but it was fun. Such a wonderful museum with so much to look at; open storage and tons of drawers to open. I have mentioned it before, but it is even better now that all the renovations are complete. The main bulk of the collection seems to focus on First Nation communities; celebration and art, but other cultures from around the globe are represented in the collections. One of the most fascinating aspects of the museum is the visible storage, you could literally spend days checking out all the items. Here are a couple of pis of the storage displays:

Masks

Many of the sculptures are made from bone or horn...

Bronwyn had fun making "mask faces"...

There are a lot of amazing masks from many different cultures. Some of the masks are quite funny and childlike; bright colours and crazy expressions. We liked the dog and this shark from the....errr...oops...I forget.

In the afternoon we went around to Nicole and Gala's for some tea and yummy cakes. Yesterday we intended to go ice-skating, but Bronwyn continues to have a chesty cough and seemed tired and not really herself. Instead we went to the Brock House Christmas fair. It was a quaint little Christmas fair. Lots of elderly people milling around and standing behind tables selling an odd assortment of (obviously) donated items. But it felt very cosy and reminded me of the Christmas fairs that I went to back in England as a kid, the smell was even familiar...probably soup and mince pies. Among other things, there was the obligatory table full of odd knitted items in even stranger colours (no thongs), the table of dubious Christmas decorations and a jewellery table with more clip-on earrings than I have seen in a long time. A group of 4 or 5 musicians played traditional carols. Bronwyn enjoyed herself and bought some nik-naks and a silk scarf (her "super-dog" scarf). I enjoyed watching and listening to the elderly people bustling about, chattering, and sharing a joke together. I wish there were more older/elderly people in our lives that we could visit now and then; hear their stories. I suppose I could try and work on that somehow. I bought too many books. I had a major clear-out of books over the past few years, but have found myself beginning to accumulate more. Hard to resist when there is a decent selection for $2 a bag-full.

Bronwyn in her "super dog" scarf.

The pond, almost thawed 3 days after the snow!

And yesterday afternoon we took the kids swimming (with Gala, Nicole, and Troy) to the newly opened Hillcrest Swimming pool. It was so much fun. The kid's pool is warm, shallow, big, and tons of fun. River and Bronwyn had a great time. So did the adults.

Busy week or so coming up...meetings about River; team meeting, goal-setting meeting, meeting and observation at pre-school, back to speech therapy after a few months break. All the other usual stuff including insane amounts of things going on at their educational establishments. Then....arggghhh!!!...planning for Christmas. But that's a long way away, right?