Summer Fun Passport List 2014

Here we go again ... our 3rd annual Summer Fun Passport List. Summertime is just around the corner, and I can't wait. What's on your summer bucket list?

1. GO OUTSIDE

• Watch the Sunset
• Make Art, en plein air (with portable sketchbox)
• Fly a Kite
• Take a Neighbourhood Walk, After Dark
• Bike the Seawall
• Go Camping with Friends
• Go on a New Hike with Puppy (avoid burrs!)
• Have a Water Fight
• Make a Sprinkler Play Area in the Yard
• Host a Beach Potluck
• Swim in the Ocean
• Go Kayaking
• Go Sailing
• Spend a Hot Afternoon at an Outdoor Pool
• Go to at least one of the local Summer Night Markets
• Go to an Outdoor Concert. The VSO!
• Go Nature Journaling
• Go Canoe Camping
• Go Geocaching
• Go Berry Picking
• Spend a Day at the Amusement Park
• Plant a Tree Somewhere
• Grow Something in the Garden
• Train for a 5K fun run

2. READ + WRITE

• Join the library's Summer Reading Club
• Write Letters to Family (using our letter writing kit)
• Write a Book Review (like this)
• Write a Fan Letter
• Start a Journal

3. DO

• Run a Lemonade Stand
• Choose a Science Experiment to do with Daddy (from this book)
• Learn some Morse Code
• Work on Stamp Collection
• Wash the Car
• Play Board Games on a Rainy Day
• Take a Cooking Class
• Learn about an Unfamiliar Country and Try its Cuisine (we did Ethiopia last year)
• Go to a Gelateria

4. MAKE

• Do a Soapstone Carving
• Make a Kiwi Crate Project (like this)
• Draw Castles
• Make another Heart Map
• Create Cityscape with Block Printing
• Make a Klimt-inspired Art Piece (inspired by our trip to Vienna. See here + here.)
• Make a Weaving
• Decorate Mugs with Porcelain Pens (tutorial here)
• Decorate a T-Shirt
• Sew Your Own Zipper Bag
• Make Sprinkle Milkshakes (like this)
• Make a Solar Powered Lunch (Pizza + Tea)
• Make the Parents Lunch
• Make a Spring-form Cake
• Make Freezer Jam
• Make Banana Splits
• Make a New Zoku (popsicle) Recipe

Here's our 2013 list and our 2012 list and here are all our "ticks" so far.
And I'm pinning all kinds of summer fun here all the time.

Our Summer Day Camp Shortlist 2014

SUMMER DAY CAMP 2014 |  VANCOUVER, BC

• Bike Camp  —  Pedalheads
• Cooking Science and Urban Design  —  Pear Tree Education
• Dog Agility Training Camp  —  DogSmart
• Fencing  —  UBC Summer Camp
• Golf Camp  —  The First Tee, YMCA
• Minecraft Camp  —  MineCampKids

Others we've participated in the past with a thumbs up:
Arts Umbrella  —  Fine, Performing, and Media Arts
Christianne's Lyceum — Book Clubs, Writing Clubs, Creativity and Imagination
Dizzy Whisk  —  Cooking
Eliot Creative Arts Camp — Multi-generational Overnight Camp
MacSailing — Sailing, Kayaking and Stand-up Paddleboarding
Seymour Eco-Adventure Camp  — Hiking, Survival Skills, Wilderness Appreciation
Science World  —  Science
YMCA  —  Swimming, Group Games and Activities, Field Trips, Themes

Others that we want to check out next year:
Mozart School of Music
Archery! If we can find something close by ...

2014. Let's Do This.

This may seem a little late for resolutions ... but I figure we are still in January, and, well, is it ever too late to take time to reflect and put some thought into what you want your future to look like? Last year had plenty to be grateful for. But it sure had its ups and downs too. And there are some things that will naturally spill over to this year. But nonetheless I'm looking forward to a new, fresh year full of hope and possibility.

Meet my log book. I started this ritual last year and it worked really well. In bullet points, for each day, I enter all those important things that happened. Workouts. Creative pursuits. Completed To Do list items. For items that have predetermined goals I keep track of my weekly progress on a chart on the front page.

And this year I will keep track of my progress on my resolutions as well. So, here are the 6 things I'm resolving to do this year.

KEEP IN TOUCH
I resolve to keep in touch with the ones I love, that are near and dear to me, even if I can't do face to face. That means more "just because emails" to those I can't get to see very often. Sending personal updates to family that live far away. Having more coffee dates with the people that inspire me and make my heart happy. I'm so blessed to have a quality group of great people in my life and it's stupid to be too busy to stay connected to them.

TAKE CARE
· Time to deal with those overdue doctor appointments!
· Do Yoga 3 days per week
· Gym or Fitness class 2 days per week
· Family Fitness Fun at least 1 day per week such as long hike or bike

SLOW DOWN
As much for the kid's sake as mine. His pace is naturally (waaaaay) slower than mine, and we will all be so much happier if I find a way to plan for it, accommodate it and just generally accept it.

BE USEFUL
While Hubs is going to be the VP of our giant reno project this year, I want to figure out where my strengths are and contribute meaningfully to the process. I'm hoping it doesn't include heavy lifting or brute force though. Let that be noted.

BE FRUGAL
We just bought a house. Need I say more.

CREATE!
Everyday. Set mini goals and track them. No excuses.

Spud's resolution, "to send notes and artwork to family throughout the year".

Hubs resolution is definitely revolving around a million home reno projects.

Well, we have a busy and exciting year ahead. Let's do this.

Spud's London: 13 Favourite Things

Well, it's been over a year now since we visited London. And we miss it a lot. Here, in no particular order, are Spud's most missed spots:

· Hamley's Toy Shop: The 250 year old, multiple floor toy store was an obvious favourite. Spud found his treasured toy Tube trains there.

· Tower Bridge — where Spud got a tick on his life list, which was a 2-parter it turns out.

· The Tower of London — where spotting royalty was but one reason it left a lasting impression.

· The Tube — a true obsession.

· Big Ben. Although the first thing he said when he saw it in person was "It's not as big as I thought it would be". We have since learned though, that it is the 3rd tallest free-standing clock in the world and over 150 years old.

· The British Museum. Ancient Egypt and Greece. The Rosetta Stone. Clock, clocks, and more clocks. And a jaw dropping space.

· Harry Potter Studio Tour

· The London Eye

· Science Museum — Points to those who know what this is ...

· Bet you can't guess Spud's favourite part of the Tate Modern

· The Playground we stumbled across on our way to the Tower of London

· V & A

· And then there was that little kids Bookstore that someone directed us to ... a skinny shop ... with a few floors. No idea where it was now or what it was called. We enjoyed at least an hour there, browsing and picking out a few to take home. Not sure if it's on this list but we will take it with if we go again, it looks like a good one.

For all our London posts, click here.

Summer Fun Passport List 2013

Happy First Day of Summer. Yesterday was Spud's last day of grade 3 and we are up and running for Summer 2013. And here's our second annual Summer Bucket List. As usual we have way more things than we can ever do in one summer. Luckily there is no pressure to do them all — there's always next year!

1. READ + WRITE + DO (because you've got to keep your skills sharp)

• Write Letters to Family (with our letter writing kit)
• Join the Library AND School Summer Reading Clubs
• Write a Book Review
• Sign up for Playful Learning's Stress Management eCourse
• DIY Mini Mail Boxes and Write Notes to Each Other
• Choose a Science Experiment to do with Daddy (from this book)
• Make a Ziplock Bag Explode
• Make a Naked Egg
• Work on Stamp Collection
• Learn 3 Camping Knots (find knot tying books at the library + go here)
• Learn How to Tie your Shoes!
• Learn How to Tie a Tie
• Launch DIY Water Rockets
• Learn some Morse Code
• Sew Your Own Zipper Bag
• Make a Comic Book
• Learn Some New Magic Tricks
• Teach the Puppy a New Trick
• Find Some Fun Math Games

2. GO OUTSIDE (because summer is all about outside)

• Go on a New Hike with Puppy
• Go on a New Hike with Friends
• Have a Water Fight
• Make a Sprinkler Play Area on the Deck
• Watch the Sunset
• Go Geocaching
• Take in an Outdoor Movie at the Park
• Go to a Drive-In Movie
• Go Kayaking
• Take Sailing Lessons
• Go Sailing with Daddy
• Spend a Hot Afternoon at an Outdoor Pool
• Check out at least one of the local Summer Night Markets
• Spend a Day at the Amusement Park
• Go Nature Journaling
• Try Archery, again
• Go Camping with Friends
• Go on a Hike-in Camping Trip
• Go on a Road Trip with Friends
• Host a Beach Potluck with Friends
• Swim in the Ocean
• Make Art, en plein air (with our portable sketchbox)
• Go Berry Picking
• Get a Piggy Back Ride

3. CREATE (because we love to make things!)

• Make a Kite from a Kit
• Do a Soapstone Carving
• Make a Kiwi Crate Project
• Draw a Castle (use our How to Draw A Castle book)
• Make another Heart Map
• Create Cityscape with Block Printing
• Make a Klimt-inspired Art Piece (inspired by our trip to Vienna. See here + here.)
• Make a Paper Weaving
• Make a Bath Mural with Craft Foam
• Decorate Mugs with Porcelain Pens (tutorial here)

4. EAT + DRINK (because it's about learning and having fun at the same time)

• Make Bread/Buns from Scratch
• Try New Popsicle Recipes
• Run a Lemonade Stand
• Make a Solar Powered Lunch (Pizza + Tea)
• Make Rock Candy
• Make a Spring-form Cake
• Make Cookies
• Make Banana Splits
• Take a Cooking Class
• Learn about an Unfamiliar Country and Try its Cuisine (Ethiopian)

And I'm pinning other summer fun ideas here all the time.

Here's last year's list. Want to see all our last year's Passport ticks? Check 'em out here.

Best of 2012

Oh it was a good year. We had a remarkable summer playing with our bucket list. And lots of other fun times too. Here are my top 12 favourite posts, in no particular order.

1. Surprise Valentine Ball

2. Math Printable: Make the Biggest Number

3. Travel Journal Supplies

4. Spud's Vienna: 6 Favourite Things

5. Photo Friday #51: Running into Royalty

6. Top 10 Summer Fun Passport 2012 Posts

7. Lunch with a Protein Punch

8. My Latest Obsession: White and Gold Sharpies

9. New Bento Snack Box

10. Pizza Box Laptop

11. Hagrid's Rock Cakes

12. A When I Grow Up Poster

2013 Resolutions

Well, I'm happy to say that last year's resolutions are still in full swing. The "Y" is still our home away from home. Spud is still curling on Sundays, now with 2 of his best buddies, which he loves. And is on the slopes with his (almost) new equipment.

If all goes according to plan, 2013 will include: Draw/Paint/Create More! (me), Do More Art With Spud (Spud and me), Eat Better — we are trying this for one month (all), Play Piano (almost) Everyday (Spud), Write More (Hubs and Me), Make A Total of 15 Comics (Spud).

So, in all, after taking stock, I would like this coming year to be much like the last. It was fantastic. But with just a wee bit more creativity squeezed in. Oh, and eating more carefully and consciously too. Here goes!

Summer Fun Passport List 2012

Two year's ago our summer bucket list ended up in this paper boat. Last year I just kept track of some ideas on Google docs. But this year, we are going all out; this summer's bucket list is going to be a Summer Fun Passport.

I will post on how it's going to work. Soon. But first, we have come up with our dream list. Including links and notes (which I will add as we find them). It's super long. I can't imagine we will get through it all but we will have a good time trying. And keep the leftovers for next summer!

1. READ + WRITE + DO

• Make A Bucket List Passport!
• Write a Book Review
• Write Letters to Family (with our letter writing kit)
• Join the Library/School Summer Reading Clubs
• DIY Mini Mail Boxes and Write notes to Each Other
• Find Math Games (like Make the Biggest Number)
• Choose a Science Experiment to do with Daddy (from this book)
• Make a Ziplock Bag Explode
• Make a Naked Egg
• Work on Stamp Collection
• Use (one of the many) Activity Books We Already Own
• Learn 3 Camping Knots (get knot tying books from the library + go here)

2. GO OUTSIDE

• Take in a Round of Mini-Golf
• See An Outdoor Movie
• Go Kayaking
• Go Berry Picking
• Spend A Hot Afternoon at an Outdoor Pool
• Visit the Chinese Summer Night Market (Richmond has 2 now!)
• Try Archery
• Play Date: Sidewalk Chalk
• Play Date: Bike Ride on the Seawall
• Play Date: Water Park
• Go Camping with Friends
• Host a Beach Potluck with Friends
• Go Birding
• Grow Beans
  
• Make Art, En Plein Air (with portable easel kit and sketchbox)
  
• Go on a new hike
• Go to Family Overnight Summer Camp

3. MAKE STUFF

• Draw a Castle (use our How to Draw A Castle book)
• Make Paper Beads in Different Shapes (must find sparkly paper)
• Make a Heart Map (want to hang it next to last year's heart map)
• Make Paper Dragons and Monsters (from paper craft books)
• Make a Lego Maze (originally seen here)
• Make a Family Tree (research ideas for making a simplified version)
• Create Cityscape with Block Printing
• Q-tip Art (get Pointillism / Seurat books from the library). (also see here).
• DIY Shrinkie Dinks (use #6 plastic)
• Make a Klimt-inspired Art Piece (inspired by our trip to Vienna. See here + here.)
• Make a Paper Weaving
• Craft Foam Bath Murals (will this make bathtime more fun?)
• Make Music with Glasses
• Rebuild LEGO Hogwarts to its Original Glory (good luck with this one Daddy)

4. EAT AND DRINK

• Make a Root Beer Float
• Make Popsicles
• Take a Kiddie Cooking Class (here)
• Lemonade Stand
• Make a Solar Powered Lunch (pizza and tea)
• Make Rock Candy
• Make Sprinkle Milkshakes. See our watermelon sprinkle shakes here.

5. BE HELPFUL

• Wash the Car
• Wash the Windows
• Harvest Our Tomatoes and Lettuce
• Make a Blessing Bag and Find Someone Who Needs It To Give To
• Make Your Parents Dinner
• Do Some Weeding on the Deck

SPONTANEOUS ADDITIONS:

Glow-in-the-Dark Tub Time

Make a 3-string guitar out of a cigar box!
Swim in the Ocean
Spend a day sailing a MacGregor
Have an Olympic-inspired day!

We've signed up for the summer bucket list challenge here: The Happy Family Movement. So are you doing a bucket list year? What's on it that you are most looking forward to?

Spud's Vienna: 6 Favourite Things

Here it is. Spud's official top 6 experiences he had in our recent 5 day visit to Vienna.

6. The Easter Market. This would probably be higher on the list if we were allowed to actually buy something but those gorgeous delicate eggs would never have made it home in tact.

Decorated eggs as far as the eye can see ...

5. Hot Dogs. Not just ordinary hot dogs. Awesome, giant hot dogs that are way less messy than at home ... read this earlier post to find out what makes them so special.

4. Transportation. We took trams and the underground as much as possible. From our perspective it was all clean and safe and reliable. From Spud's perspective, well, it was about things that go. That says it all.

3. Photographing architecture. Spud is in love with structures of all types. Modern and antique alike. So he was in his heaven; whether taking a little trip out to the Hapsburg's summer palace or spontaneously popping into a random church in the city ... happy kid.

2. Making bread at Zoom, the Kindermuseum. And eating it! Posted earlier here.

1. Riding the over 100 year old ferris wheel! Not to mention the other rides. And just taking in the fair-like festivities after dark.

Resolutions. Right On Track.

Well, my New Year's resolution was pretty standard. We recently signed up for a family membership at the Y and we are taking full advantage. The little Bub is in swimming lessons and Hubs and I collectively have taken in yoga, spinning, water running, and Latin Funk. Yup! It's awesome.

Spud had his own list this year. "I want to try 2 new sports and 1 new instrument, preferably a brass instrument, like the sousaphone." OK. First of all I want to say, what's wrong with something simple (and small!) like a recorder, my little friend? But we will tackle that later. In the meantime, 2 sports? 2 ticks.

First, curling.

This is our view. We sit behind the glass, watch, sip coffee, get caught up with each other. We even brought some paperwork with us last time.

And this is where we are sitting. Seriously. It's like we've been transported in both time and space. It's a beautiful 90 minutes I will miss dearly if Spud decides curling is not for him.

Anyway, on to sport 2, skiing!

So far we have a winner. Spud is happily going to curling each week but he is still a little unsure about it. Skiing on the other hand? An instant hit. He's had one lesson and one full day on the bunny hill with Daddio. He has been heard to say "I think I was born to ski!" Now that's not to say he's careening down the hill on his own at any great speed or anything, he's a cautious kid, but he loves it. And that's what counts. I'm sure this crazy-awesome "magic carpet" that replaces the need for any dreadful rope tow, has got to add to the love.

3 Dozen Date Night Questions

I've done it. I've put together a list of 3 dozen date night questions inspired by a post I did on ohdeedoh. I included a bunch of links with thought starters for making one's own list. Which I've now done. And I know I'm being a geek about it but I'm looking forward to taking it on a test run.

Why you may wonder? We LOVE talking about our obsession, our son. And do and we will. And we talk about current events when either of us have been listening to our favourite CBC radio shows of late. But there's something that really appeals to me about taking some time to take stock — about our past, about what's happening right now in our lives, and about where we want to go. And have some fun with it. I hope this inspires someone who is similarly inclined ...

THE PAST

1. What is the grossest thing you’ve ever had to do? The craziest?
2. If you could bring a fictional character to life in order to save the world right now, who would it be?
3. If you could keep only one memory of your past what would it be?  
4. What historical event would you like to have been a part of?
5. How has the world changed the most since you were a kid? What do you wish hadn’t changed?
6. What is one of the most romantic times we’ve had together?
7. Complete the sentence: “I’m sure my mom and dad wished I would have…”
8. What is your favourite memory of the two of us together before babies? Second favourite?
9. What is the most disgusting food you’ve ever tasted?
10. Who are the friends that you wish you still had?
11. What do you think is my most embarrassing moment, since we’ve known each other?
12. Who do you want to forgive?

THE PRESENT

1. What would each letter in your first name stand for if you made an acrostic out of it?
2. In what ways do you like to be shown appreciation?
3. How would you describe an ideal day? Ideal weekend?   
4. What is your greatest fear? What other fears do you have?
5. Lately, what has preoccupied your thoughts?
6. What kinds of gifts do you like?
7. What is the best compliment I could give you?
8. If you were a geometric shape, what would it be?
9. What’s your favourite kind of meal? What’s your top 5? Top 5 desserts?
10. What’s your favourite restaurant? What are your top 5?
11. What things stress us the most? How can we change that?
12. What one thing on your bucket list could you do this week if you put your mind to it

THE FUTURE

1. Who do you think will go senile first, you or me?
2. What does romance mean to you?
3. If we had two days alone together, how would be your ideal way of spending them?
4. Would you ever consider wearing matching outfits?
5. What could I do to best help you in the next 30 days?
6. What would you do right now if you found out you had one day left to live? What about 6 months?
7. In what way would you like to grow in the next year?
8. In what way would you like to see me grow in the next 6 months?
9. What kind of old person do you want to be?
10. If you could change one room in our home what would you do with it?
11. What’s the first thing you would do if you won $10,000? What about $100,000?
12. What do you look forward to the most?

Making a List and Checking it Twice

TRIP PLANNING  |  TRAVELS WITH KID
So things may be heating up in Morocco. But we are not letting that stop us from preparing for this trip. Yesterday the family was chatting about what would happen if we couldn't go there ... and Spud piped up "We need a plan B! I think plan B should be Pennsylvania!". We could not stop laughing at the apparent randomness of this choice. "Why!?" I asked. "Well, I think Pennsylvania has a really cool name and it's in America and America has some cool stuff so I think if we went there and we looked for cool stuff we would find it!". Very well said, I thought. I know he's right. But with Morocco being plan A, Pennsylvania has some pretty big shoes to fill.

Anyway, the other day I spent some quality time on our packing list. On google docs of course. I stumbled across this fun site where you answer a bunch of questions about your trip and then it generates a list for you. Of course it won't have everything you specifically want to take but it turned out to be an excellent starting point for us. It even knew I wanted to bring a sketchbook!

Armed with Audiobooks

TRAVELS WITH KID   |   STUFF TO BRING

With some long travel days ahead of us, we want to make sure we are equipped well with high impact, low bulk activities. The latter consideration is due to our attempt of having carry-on luggage only! Crazy? Maybe. Or genius? We'll see.

Airport waiting room, Cuba 2008.

Of course we will have other activities up our sleeves but in the meantime here is our collected audiobook reading list for our 6 year old Spud.

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Ian Flemming
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory + James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl
• Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things, Lenore Look
• Nim's Island, Danielle Denega
• Stuart Little, E. B. White
• Flat Stanley, Jeff Brown
• Various Magic Tree House stories, Mary Pope Osbourne (These are an old favourite. I've bought a few new ones to freshen things up a bit)

Our inspiration for this list came from the following:
1. Our local library (I heart libraries)
2. iTunes
3. Travel Savvy Mom
4. Common Sense Media (It's a great place for reviews, including appropriate age ranges etc.)

So, I'd love to know ... what do you think we are missing in the audiobook world?

Spud's Modest Life List at Age 6

Spud's list is rather small. And that is no accident. He's afraid if he makes it too long, he won't get it all in. He's already cautioned me about my life list; he thinks it's far too ambitious.

1. Become an architect
2. Have around 10 kids (This doesn't necessarily include marriage. He's not committing to that one yet.)
3. Learn to play a brass instrument
4. Learn Spanish
5. Go> Disney World, Florida
6. Go> The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Florida
7. See the Pyramids in Egypt
8. Either watch in person OR participate in a Summer Olympic Games
9. Fly in a plane without walls (e.g. ultralight)