British Columbia

Shops, eats and places to take kids in British Columbia.

family holiday activiites in vancouver at the capilano suspension bridge

A cliff-hanger of a birthday in Vancouver (Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver, BC)

November 20, 2013

Maybe the story shouldn’t start with the cliffhanger.  But, I was oh so proud.  This is what everyone with a fear of heights should do to celebrate just being alive. We weren’t supposed to be up in Vancouver for my birthday, but one thing led to another and here I was in my hometown.  We […]

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If you go to Vancouver alone with kids

August 14, 2013

I’ve been on so many trips to Vancouver without the hubby and we have a lot of family there so it’s never really too difficult when we go. But I have a friend heading up there pretty soon and she has some time by herself with three little ones while her hubby does a big […]

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Best “good for you” way to tour Vancouver next year (Seawheeze, Vancouver)

August 12, 2013

So today I’m hanging up the running shoes for a couple of weeks.  You’ve heard me talking about running forever and I finally conquered my big run: the Lululemon Seawheeze. I literally ran AROUND Vancouver.  It’s pretty much the best type of tour you could imagine, so if you’re thinking about heading to Vancouver next […]

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About Camping (Alice Lake, British Columbia, Canada)

July 24, 2013

It’s 3am and the sound of rain and someone else’s tent zipper opening wakes me up. I’m itchy from the day’s mosquito attack and I have to pee but the bathroom is a couple hundred feet away.  The guys next to me have been swallowed by their sleeping bags and I have to check if […]

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10 or so photos I’m savoring this Monday

July 8, 2013

The past week flew by in a blur of happiness, holidays, friends and food.  We went camping at Alice Lake (such a family friendly place to camp!) with lovely friends I’ve known since we were kids (and all our kids too!) for Canada Day.  And I love all the sweet photos and memories I now […]

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Best Sign Ever At the Vancouver Aquarium and an idea

July 7, 2013

The other day a sign made my day.  Actually it was this row of “out of order” signs on all the penny squishing machines at the Vancouver Aquarium last week.  Out of order.  Out of order.  Out of order. My guys love these penny press machines and they are EVERYWHERE.  I have caved so often because […]

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Spokes: Our New Favo(u)rite Activity when we visit Vancouver with kids

July 2, 2013

If I say the best new activity we found with kids in Vancouver is in Stanley Park you’ll probably think it’s the Aquarium. And we do love the Vancouver Aquarium and the fun you can have with their jellyfish exhibit right now.  But this is an activity we did a long time ago pre-kid that […]

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Canada Day Last minute

July 1, 2013

I always keep balloons on hand, just in case a little celebration sneaks up on you.  Like Canada Day.  (To our credit we camped in Canada until Canada Day Eve, but alas, we had to come home before the big day.  C’est dommage.) You break out the red and white balloons  (And break apart a […]

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The drop-off party era

As much as we love hanging out with our kids, the hubby and I love to hang out together too. And we’re oh so thankful for a lovely night out in Vancouver we had recently at a sweet restaurant called Boneta in Gastown.  Our meal (and apple tart dessert!) was lovely and it was so […]

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I heart Steveston (Steveston, BC)

June 17, 2013

I heart steveston BC.  From walking the dyke To little surprises hidden around every corner. The weekend market. And free water for all. The pastry case at Sweet Spot.  (I’m still dying to try their ice cream.  I spied Strawberry Rhubarb on my last visit!) And a short drive to Garden City Park that feels […]

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Stroke the Living Wall (JJ Bean, Port Moody, British Columbia)

June 5, 2013

A long time ago in Vancouver, I used to spend a lot of time on weekends going to Japanese school, shopping and eating around the city.  Some mornings we’d stop in at Fujiya, a shop that’s still there selling Japanese pantry products and really yummy and inexpensive bentos and sushi.  While my mom and sister […]

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Maplewood Farm (North Vancouver, BC)

March 23, 2013

A little while ago, we revisited this farm I used to go with my family as a child-it’s very close to downtown Vancouver, maybe about a 20 minute drive.  It’s on the way to Mount Seymour too.  The day we went the animals were all out and about and there are so many things for […]

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Before I ward off Winter Completely (Granville Island, BC)

February 23, 2013

One of my fondest memories as a kid was getting hot chocolate at Blue Parrot Coffee with my family at Granville Island in Vancouver.  They put the best dollop of chocolate-y whip cream on top of their drinks and on a chilly day there is nothing more delightful than a warm drink in a warm […]

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skiing at Seymour in BC with kids

Magic Carpet Ride (Seymour Ski Lessons)

February 8, 2013

If you sign your kids up for lessons at Mount Seymour (maybe 30 minutes from Vancouver, BC), you’ll see 3 little words that all parents dream about in their sleep.  Parent Free Zone. What does this mean?  It’s simple.  When you drop your kid off in their ski wear, you don’t even have to fight […]

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winterfest at seattle center

Winter-themed one year old party and a really cool idea

February 4, 2013

I’ve been meaning to post this one for so long.  My friend Sandee is super-creative so when her little guy turned one she put together a fabulous party at her gorgeous home.  I loved the red, white and turquoise color-theme which is perfect for December parties. I absolutely loved the cake table.  The guys were […]

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Delightful food finds in Vancouver BC

January 3, 2013

A long time ago, I’d return to the motherland on a quest to find ketchup chips, Smarties and Mackintosh Toffee: grocery store treats from my childhood that just can’t find their way south of the border. But now, with kids in tow my time for food sleuthing is short and I have to be a […]

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How I amuse myself while the kids learn to ski

December 30, 2012

I don’t know what I imagined when I signed the guys up for ski lessons.  I think a little bit of me thought they’d be whisked up the chair-lift and zooming down the mountains in no time and I really wanted them to learn to ski.  But the reality is that it takes a little […]

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Sweetest Mini Donut Shop (The Outpost, Steveston BC)

December 14, 2012

The world can always use more happy, lovely places and The Outpost Mini Donut Company is one of the sweetest I’ve ever been.  I never imagined that a donut store could be so adorable, but this is a MINI DONUT store and there are so many thoughtful touches in this store that make the already-yummy […]

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If your kids are scared of Santa

December 13, 2012

or maybe just obsessed with their Playmobil Advent Calendars, you might consider just going for a pose with a plastic Santa instead. (We found this one outside the Splash store in Steveston BC Canda, which by the way has a great play table and awesome toys if you need a place to stop in while […]

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Something cuddly and something not so cuddly in Richmond BC

December 11, 2012

If you are into Once upon a Time apparently this building is a big deal for you and you might want to visit Steveston to go and see it.  Steveston is a little water village part of Richmond BC where they do a lot of movie filming. For me, I heart this lovely place near […]

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