Harbour Cruise

Our first Kids World trip for this Summer. The Harbour Cruise was a fun one hour adventure along Vancouver's harbour and waterfront. The tour guide narrated the history of the various landmarks and buildings along the waterfront. The kids were more interested in looking around and walking up and down the levels. I was enjoying the ride. There is something about the

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Going to a pumpkin patch was always on my mental to-do list. That is where it stayed...on my mind. But when the kids got home a notice about a combined field trip to the Richmond Country Farms for kindergarten and grade 2, it was time to finally make my mental wish real.  The notice asked for

Playful Time at Playland

Playland at the Pacific National Exchange (PNE) is Vancouver's answer to Disneyland-just a little smaller. However, it is what it is and is packed with loads of fun for the kids and adults alike. Playland had over 40 different rides and attractions along with arcade games and other little games of chance like the ring toss, baloon shooting etc. Lots of different food vendors with regular fair kind food like poutine, french fries, gourmet burgers, donuts, carmel dipped apples, sugar candy, popcorn and the like. The weather was perfect. It did get a little cloudy but thankfully it didn't rain. With Hummu

Dragon Boat Festival

I used to read about the dragon boat festival in the newspapers. I thought it was part of the Chinese culture mainly because of the dragon shaped long boats. If it was any other boat it would have been an ordinary boat race. I found out that it is not an ordinary festival but a

Mommy Daughter Day Out

It was probably the first time since Aaliyah and I went out on our own to a park without Ayaan. Other than the quick trips to the library or the grocery store, I always took both the kids out. Since it was a Chinese garden, I had a feeling that Ayaan would not enjoy or appreciate it as much as Aaliyah would. I also worried that Ayaan might find it difficult not to run around and or disturb the tranquility that is representative of a Chinese garden. So, we dropped Ayaan at his preschool and off we went on our Mommy daughter adventure. The spirit of adventure was so strong that we tried yet another first. Taking the

Britannia Mine Museum

Went to the Britannia Mine Museum in Squamish. This mine is among the largest mines in the world. It used to be a copper mine until it shut down in 1974. Today, it is a national historic site and draws many visitors young and old. The highlight of the museum is the train tour inside the mine. Learning about how it all started and how the minig processes developed over the years was quite interesting. The tour also included a walk inside the actual mine building where all the seperation of the metal from the rock took place back in the days. Apart from the tour, panning for gold and other minerals was also a fun activity that the kids enjoyed doing. All in all a fun trip.

Richmond Go Karts

The Richmond Go-Karts is a fun place for the entire family. It has about a mile long track and about 25 karts that go on the track at one time. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and apparently everybody chose the Richmond Go-Karts for their family outing. There were a lot of families with children and then there were the young teenagers eager to race their friends. We must have waited for about

Owl Show-Richmond Nature Park

 Had to make the most of whatever sunshine comes our way. So, I took the kids out to the Richmond Nature Park for the "Owl Show". Normally we never had any trouble finding parking, even on their special event days. Today was different. It was unusually busy. There were a lot of

Field Trip To Richmond Museum

Say Menorah!

Spent almost an entire day with kids K-2 at the Richmond Museum and Cultural Center for their class field trip. It was a wonderful experience. I felt like a kid and felt too old at the same time. I walked around like a kid looking at the displays, learning about the different religions, winter customs and going behind the scenes in the circulation area. The silly jokes and the innocent comments that the kids were making made me feel old. It was definitely a learning experience not just for the kids but for me as well.
These are the things I learned today:

Stanley Park

Seawall along Stanley Park

Tabrez Bhai had his cricket match at Brockton Point Cricket pitch in Stanley park and Hummu was planning on going there. We called Afzal and together we all headed to the Stanley Park in Vancouver. This park is so huge that there is always something new to discover and explore. I have been there 3 times and still have not seen the park in its totality. I still have to see its rose garden, the aquarium and maybe go on a hike or a bike ride around the perimeter of the park. Maybe.
On this particular trip, I finally got to see the

Exploring Science World

TELUS World of Science

There is Science all around us and what better way to acknowledge this than a visit to the TELUS World of Science. It is a wonderful place to explore our bodies, our environment and the science around us. It is also a place where we can exercise our minds with the various puzzles and brain game activity stations throughout the facility. All through the year they coordinate special exhibits. For this Summer, their special exhibit was based on the great artist Da Vinci's work. The artist behind the world famous painting-Monalisa.
So, to round off this year's Summer fun, we took the kids out to Science World in Vancouver. We took the

Queen Elizabeth Park

A nature lover's delight, the Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver is a must see park. What makes this park special is its natural beauty. The park boasts of beautiful flower beds, different varieties of huge tall trees, a rose garden, a tropical flower conservatory (Bloedel Conservatory), milky white dancing water fountains, a mini waterfall, a leash free dog park and breathtaking view points throughout the park. A walk through the park is a wonderful exercise for your eyes as well as for your body. It is no wonder that this park is the second

Iona Beach Park

From the beautiful, clean, sandy beaches of California, to the not so clean or sandy Iona Beach, was quite a shock. But it was a beach and it was beautiful nevertheless.  Raw and natural beauty, just 15 minutes away from home. It can't get any better than that. This beach was so close, yet it took me over a year to explore. Better late than never.

Iona Beach Regional Park

The exploration would not have happened had the Nature Park been open. We actually left home to go to the Nature park. I was under the impression that the Nature park is open until sundown which is usually around 9pm. However, the park closed at 4pm. I found it a little disappointing because after a scorching day , it was beginning to get cooler and better.  I couldn't imagine myself walking in the park in the summer heat and fasting at the same time. So, we stayed home and didn't leave home until around 4:30pm. And when we reached the Nature Park, it was all deserted and quiet. It was time for a quick

Blueberry Picking

Fresh ripe blueberries

I asked Ayaan to choose where he wants to go for an outing by picking just one finger. He thought for a long time and then instead of picking just one finger, he chose all three in quick succession. He said how about we go to the beach, then blueberry picking and then what was it again? I say the Nature Park. He said, that is right, the nature park. I just couldn't help but admire his cleverness or shall I say his innocence. He just spoke his heart. By the time I sort of wrapped up the never ending

Bear Creek Park, Surrey

I had heard a lot about this park and it was on my must see places for this Summer. With still a couple hours left before our Iftaar party, we decided to take the kids out for a quick bike ride in the park. I must say, I am really impressed by the beauty of this park. Huge Soccer fields, stadium, play area, water fountains, train station, mini-golf area, nature garden, the park has something for everybody.

Stadium Entrance at Bear Creek Park 

The Bear Creek Park in Surrey, is full of family

Sing and Learn

Learning in the Backyard

Attended the Sing and Learn drop in session conducted by the Richmond Family Place at the Cambie Branch Library. The session meets every Monday at from 1-2:30 pm and is open to families with children 0-5 years of age. The StrongStart centers are closed for the Summer break. So, the play and learn drop in program seemed to be a good alternative. The program is also offered at the Family Place's office. I just have not been able to make it to the office yet.

The Sing and Learn program started off with the

Pleasure Beyond the Border

Somehow, driving to the neighboring country seems so different and rewarding than driving across cities within the province. And driving all by myself without Nasir or the kids-absolutely wonderful. Of course I had Asna for company. Nasir is too paranoid to send me across the country alone. Especially, because this was the first time I

Engineering and Public Works Open House

Took the kids out to the Engineering and Public Works Open House. Various public works departments such as the Recycling, Landscaping, Fire department, RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), Roads and Construction, Water Services, Drainage and Sewerage, Engineering and Planning, Parks and Recreation etc. had set up interactive booths. They gave out

Richmond Sharing Farm

The Richmond Sharing Farm had an open house today from 10am-1pm. The sharing farm grows fruits, vegetables and herbs for the Richmond Food Bank, Community Meal programs and for local families in need. They were going to have some fun activities for the kids also. So, I decided to take the kids on a "where does our food come from?" tour.

Earth Day at King George Park

Normally, this would have been just another Earth Day observed in April like every other year. However, being a Mommy to a 5 year old gave it the importance it truly deserves or had deserved in the years past. Earth Day is that special day where we thank Mother Earth for all its bounties and in return do something good such as planting trees, keeping our surrounding clean, saving water and energy and following the green mantra-"Reduce, Reuse and Recycle." I had a pretty "green"