The never-ending-ever-lasting-longest-bridge-in-the-world!

One of the things on our list to do was go to Granville Island. I was in charge of navigating and according to the walking map of Vancouver, which was my trusty partner, it looked like it was pretty easy to walk there. I decided it didn't look too far and that we could easily walk there. Famous last words. The first step required walking all the way across to the other side of the city (which according to the map shouldn't take more than 20 minutes). The kids were already complaining before we were halfway, but we soldiered on. Then we got on the bridge. At first it was exciting because we could see exactly where we were headed, Granville Island Public Market! It was just below us...but there was a problem. The bridge just kept going. We had no way down so we just kept going, and going, and going. It truly felt never-ending, but we had to just keep walking. There was nowhere to stop and nowhere to sit so we just kept going. I think about three-quarters of the way across we all got a little delirious and suddenly the bridge became the funniest part of the trip. Why did I think it was good idea to walk all the way across town? Why did we have to walk on the busy, loud, narrow bridge? And why did it feel like the bridge was never going to end?
Finally, we made it to the other side and we made it to market. As a reward for their hard work, we spent a ton of time at the kids market and the kids got to play in "adventure zone" while Brian and I just sat, thankful to be off the bridge. I don't know how the kids had the energy to keep going!
We ended up taking a little passenger ferry back across to the other side of the city, but there was still a lot of walking back to the hotel and I'm really impressed that the kids made it. According to the fitbit, I walked 9 miles, and it felt like 8 of them were on that bridge!

Cold, forced smiles on the bridge. Even the sun seemed to be worth complaining about. 

oh wait, the end was near!

 New burst of energy at adventure zone! 

 These were painted concrete silos on the island at the concrete factory. The last part of the old industrial area. 

 Happy to be on the ferry headed back instead of the bridge! (which was right above us)

O Canada!

This year we decided to do something totally different for Thanksgiving and we headed up North to Canada. It was the first international trip for the kids and it was super fun! We stayed in downtown Vancouver and saw a lot of the city. The kids were most excited about swimming and donuts and they got to do a lot of both! Our first stop after checking into the hotel was going swimming in the pool. The kids were so excited they didn't even seem to mind how chilly it was. It was a great hotel and we were right next to the waterfront. We didn't have Thanksgiving dinner but we had the best key lime pie any of us have ever had, so maybe that is our new tradition!
We had Tim Horton's donuts for breakfast twice and had nutella and strawberry crepes for lunch! Who needs turkey and mash potatoes? The kids were in heaven.

I'm Grateful For...

This year, both kids spent a lot of time at school talking about what they were grateful for and what there is to be thankful for. Cameron said he was most grateful for his "avenger toy" which made the list above anything else (I question if he is referring to an actual toy he has, or is confusing a "thankful list" with a "Santa list"). Addy had a much longer list and it totally cracks me up.
First, I love that the chickens made the top of the list and that mom and dad are 14th and 15th on the list. I also love that she is grateful for homework. And of course calendars! How would we stay organized without our calendars!?

Last Sunday, the kids helped fill boxes with Thanksgiving day food for families in need. They did a great job and really enjoyed it so I think this will be another yearly tradition for us.

I am grateful for these 2 incredible kids and my amazing husband! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Class Pictures

Both kids got their school pictures back and they are great (for school pictures)! I will always enjoy how the school pictures manage to capture the familiarity, awkwardness and sweetness of my kids.
Cameron got several poses, all of which crack me up (his stiff smile!) And Addy is getting through the growing-out-her-bangs stage, slowly but surely.

Hard to believe this is what a 7 and soon to be 4 year old look like!

Silver Lining

I will keep this brief but I think it's important to record. Last week was a tough week and I'm still trying to understand how it happened. The best silver lining I saw was a note from Cameron's preschool teacher. This is how she signed off on her weekly email.

As I sign off this week, I want you to know that you have raised beautifully, loving and kind little people, who are tremendously good to one another. If this week has been unsettling for you in any way, I hope you find wonderful comfort in that. I certainly do…every moment I share with them. 

I think she summed it up perfectly and ever since, I have been consciously trying to be more present in my interactions with them and to appreciate the wonderful stage that they are in and to set a good example for them. I could not be more proud of being their mom and I don't know how I got so lucky to have such wonderful kids and an amazing father. I am eternally grateful and will focus on my blessings as I try continue to figure out how to make sense of what happened and what is next.

Happy Halloween!

The kids had an awesome halloween! The rain stayed away and we went downtown to go trick-or-treating to all of the businesses. We saw tons of awesome costumes and they got a TON of candy.

Cameron was a dinosaur (which halfway through he decided to change to a lizard) and Addy was Poison Ivy from Batman. I had never even heard of that character before and I was amazed at how many people recognized who she was. 

It was an awesome ending to a great October and I can't believe it's already November. Where has the year gone!?!

 

Chocolate & Donuts!

If I were to guess what Sydney's favorite part of her trip was, it would be 1) finding the Lululemon outlet store 2) getting donuts at Krispy Kreme and 3) eating chocolate on the Theo Chocolate tour. At least 1 of them is only something you can do in Seattle!
On Sunday we headed down to Fremont and walked around the outdoor Sunday market, had sushi (first time for Jack!) went on the Theo Chocolate Tour and saw the Fremont Troll. Sydney couldn't stop talking about the Krispy Kreme that she saw the day before so we had to make a stop. Everyone managed to find room to eat donuts! The three things my kids think of now when they think of Sydney is 1) Nerds candy 2) Cocoa Pebbles and 3) Krispy Kreme donuts! She was the perfect role model for young children....
We finished the evening watching some football and it was amazing how much my sister could watch with her eyes closed, (we have the same gift). Jack played some football with the kids and read them tons of stories. It was an awesome weekend and we had so much fun having them visit us.

Space Needle

On Saturday we drove downtown and enjoyed the sun while doing some sight-seeing. We found an awesome climbing park, walked around Seattle Center and the fountain and the kids all went up the Space Needle. Then we went to the fish ladders and watched boats going through the locks. Since it was so nice out, we headed to Discovery Park and Jack got a run in while the rest of us hiked down to the beach. It was an awesome day to be outside!
Afterwards we picked up some crab for our special crab dinner (along with some interesting Asian treats!) and then ended the day by celebrating an early birthday celebration for Addy & Cameron! Get ready for lots of pictures!