Bubbles and Games

It was such a beautiful day today that the kids and I decided to take advantage of it and spent some time playing outside. We played with bubbles a beach ball and some games. 

The kids loved playing different games together. They played What Time is it Mr Wolf, Go-Go Stop, and by Davids request Freeze Tag.

It was such a beautiful and fun afternoon. The kids and I are looking forward to spending more and more time outside this spring.

Bubbles and Games

Aquarium

Last week we went to the Vancouver Aquarium with some wonderful friends. The kids had a wonderful time and have asked regularly to go back

 It is one of those places where the kids have always loved, and as they get older, they find more and more things to be fascinated by. Last time we were there was 3 years ago, and Jaclyn wasn't really old enough to take notice of as much as she did this time, and David was only interested in certain areas last time. This time with a 5 and 6 year old, everywhere we looked was something incredible and new to explore. Jaclyn loved the giant turtle, and the feeling seemed to be mutual as the turtle stared at her for a few minutes from in his tank.

 David was very excited to see some of the animals in the rain forest area, including the alligator. It was great to watch them explore the area and really start to process the different things about each animal and what their lives are like.

While there, we were able to watch some different shows, the first was a dolphin show highlighting training and caring for them and then a beluga whale show highlighting their needs (both of which the kids thoroughly enjoyed). At the end of the beluga show we got splashed because we were in the splash zone. David loved getting splashed and this became one of the highlights for him from the day. Jaclyn, on the other hand, was not as impressed with getting wet and decided she did not like beluga wales anymore. Since that day she has told me that she does like beluga whales but not getting splashed. 

  Jaclyn has told me she is now thinking about working at an aquarium as a trainer. Right now she wants to work with the dolphins so that it would be almost like she has a pet dolphin that she could teach to do tricks.

 Both are so interested in all the different animals there and want to learn more. David has told me that he wants to keep asking questions because he wants to figure out everything...which is a great attitude that both of them share, but definitely forces us to do some quick research sometimes.

Aquarium

Jaclyn's 5th Birthday

My little girl has turned 5 years old, or as she puts it, "I'm a whole handful!" (this is more accurate than she knows) 

Every year for our kids birthdays, we end up having two celebrations, one small family celebration on their actual birthday with just the four of us, and then their party with their friends.

 

We also let them choose the meals for the day on the their actual birthday, and this year Jaclyn chose to go to Montana's Cookhouse for dinner, she was very excited as to this is also her favorite restaurant (the kids call it the cowboy restaurant). They love the decor there and everything about it seems like an adventure with lots of fun. The staff at Montana's sang her a birthday song while she wore their birthday hat. It scared her a bit at the time, as it was louder than she expected, but as soon as the staff scattered after the song she started to talk about how much fun it was to wear a silly hat and have them sing to her. She loved that everyone said happy birthday to her and she got a "special" ice cream treat.

For her friends/cousins party, she wanted a "Secret of the Wings" theme, which is the latest Disney Tinkerbell movie. We ended up doing cupcakes this year instead of a full cake, partially because half our cake decorating items are still packed up and also because that was her request. Jaclyn loves crafts right now and daily can be found rummaging through her craft bin looking to make a new creation. When planing her party we decided to do crafts with all the kids instead of games. Some crafts we did included making snow globes (Secret of the wings" was in the "winter woods") and making "fairy houses" out of old cereal boxes. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and all the kids were able to have their pictures taken with Tinkerbell and Periwinkle cutouts that Chris drew and painted. Jaclyn loved it and talked about it for more than a week afterwards, which always makes us smile.

Craft Time

Pictures with the Tinkerbell and Periwinkle

Lots of memories made and another year on the way. She is, of course, already planning her next birthday party.

Jaclyn's 5th Birthday