Berry Time at Blueberry Farm

Went for blue berry picking at one of Birak's Blueberry farm on Blundel road. I ate more and picked less while the kids did just the opposite. It was fun picking the freshest and the largest of the blueberries.The berry trees were just the perfect height to provide ample shade on an otherwise

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

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

Another Day at the Park

Water Fountain at King George Park

Although it was a Monday, we did not go to the Sing and Learn session at the library. I was more interested in fulfilling my promise made to Aaliyah. I had promised to take her to McDonalds once she finishes working on her Summer Bridge Activity workbook. A friend of ours has borrowed our family car until their car gets fixed and Nasir took his car to work. I could have probably walked over to McDonalds, but getting past a major intersection with Ayaan seemed very daunting. So, putting the McDonald promise for later in the evening when "Dadda" gets home, we headed over to King George park to have yet another day of Summer fun.
Once at the park, the kids played on

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

Getting Ready for Grade 1

It is hard to believe that Summer break is almost over. 60 days went by like 6 days. And in about a week, Aaliyah will be starting Grade 1. In order to keep Aaliyah in the learning mode, I had started Aaliyah on a Summer Bridge Activity workbook sometime during the last week of July. The SBA work book covered letter and number recognition, reading, writing, addition, subtraction, telling time, counting cents, nickles, dimes, counting by 2's and pattern recognition. Today, Aaliyah has finally completed her Summer Bridge Activity workbook. It feels like a big accomplishment. Of course, doing the activities all by herself without me asking her to did not come by until she was more that halfway done. But the day she chose the book over

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

Whistler Trip

Shannon Falls, Squamish BC

Had a great time going up North towards Whistler Mountains. We first took a break at Porteau Cove Marine park and then another stop over at Shannon Falls. I am so glad we stopped at Shannon Falls. The lush green trees, the milky white water falls, and the free flowing river made for some amazing sights that I will treasure for a long time to come. At least until we make it up there again. The drive was also very beautiful and the view of