Now that summer is upon us, and Lexi is at that age where she is a little more portable and we don't have to be slaves to the almighty naptime, I am hell bent and determined to get out and enjoy everything that Vancouver has to offer tourists and little people alike.
During the stinkin' hot few days we had last week, we were graciously invited out to Auntie Jess and Uncle Dave's pool, and got to witness Tommy's first dip. Judging by the amount of kicking and screaming as we exited, we will have to visit again, and perhaps pick up some waterwings!
Wednesday morning we hit up
Maplewood Farms with Oma in North Vancouver. Lexi was fascinated with a little turkey and the miniature ponies (she wanted to ride them, but alas that is not permitted), and she loved being able to pet the baby goats. For the low low price of $3, you could buy a bag of birdseed to feed the ducks and chickens (for $3, I was considering eating it as MY snack) and after a too close encounter with an overzealous goose, we decided it was time to head out for lunch. I managed to snap one picture of Lexi on a mini tractor pedal bike, but it was just on my cell phone, and since I'm a bit of a dunce, I can't figure out how to download pictures off of it.
Yesterday we hit up the
Vancouver Zoo nice and early. A little bonus perk I received at work from the PAC this year was a free Entertainment Book, so I used a 2 for 1 admission so Jess and Tommy could join us (you too can view animals at a distance for the low, low price for $22!! but at least children under 3 are free). I brought the stroller, although Lexi seems to prefer to walk most places these days. I was pleasantly surprised at the abundance of animals they had, including the infamous hippos featured in the love-to-hate 'Telus' commercials.
I asked Lexi which animals she wanted to see before we got there, to which she replied "a mommy giraffe, a daddy giraffe, and a baby giraffe." Luckily we were not disappointed.
We wandered around the park, stopping to gawk at the lions sunbathing, the pink flamingos, some rather large and unfriendly looking boars and elands. She was, of course, fascinated with the 'hippo-thomases' but would not stay still for a picture.
By 11, the mommies were starving, so we stopped for a hotdog. Jess and Tommy headed home and I relented and decided to hop on the train with Lexi after stowing the stroller back in the car and doing a quick diaper change. It was a quick 15 minute ride, but we got a better look at some of the animals we hadn't seen yet like the ancient rhino, the ostriches, the exotic birds and the daddy lion with his two daughters. I've since decided to become a male lion in my next life, which would preclude me to days of 2o hour naps while my 'lady friends' do all the hunting and gathering. Sounds pretty sweet to me.
So on my short list this summer: Science World, the Vancouver Aquarium (Lexi has been a couple times before and LOVED it), berry picking, beaching in Kits, train riding in Confederation Park, swimming, and the spray park at Rocky Point. Any other fun ideas for me? Got sunscreen, willing to travel...
You WILL NOT hear me complaining about the Vancouver weather any time soon (OK, at least not until the fall when it will no doubt rain for at least 3 weeks straight at some point). It has been sunny and warm, and we've gotten out to play at the park and walk at least once a day. Yesterday we ventured to a spray park and wading pool near by. I thought for sure Lexi would love the wading pool, as it was shallow and full of screaming, energetic kids, but all she wanted to do was cling to my neck. I think some swimming lessons are in order soon. She did, however, love the spraying horses at the water park. She happily perched on him for ages, while I gave dirty looks to the little boys who would come by and try to aim the other spraying horse right at Lexi's face. Good times!
