Vancouver Island: Parksville and Qualicum Day Two

Easter Sunday broke with sunny patches in the clouds. Sleep was necessary so the girls were groggily shaken awake around 9:30 to head out to a coffee date...of sorts. In the end, we forgot about coffee but it was great to catch up. From there, we visited Lantzville and Great Godmamma.

Now, if I wasn't visiting family and friends, I would definitely have gone down to wander the beaches and pick up shells. There are lovely secluded nooks and crannies all over the shoreline around Lantzville, not to mention local artists. I still have pottery that I brought home from my last trip.

The afternoon was another matter. This time, I had heard about Cheeseworks in French Creek. It operates year round and there was a rumor being able to witness calving. On arrival, the girls headed straight for the rabbit enclosure to visit the bunnies. From there, we could wander the barns to visit the calves, the escapee goats, the animals in the field and the large dairy herd. There is also a lovely walk through the field that you can do if you are not wearing heels. Rubber boots were recommended so I decided to opt out of that.

The fascinating part for us was watching the milking. The milkmaid had the cows coming in on the cows own schedule four by four on each side. It was amazing to see how the process worked and to see how curious the cows were about us. Once the process was losing impact, we wandered into the gift shop to sample the cheeses. Tipsy girl was definitely my favorite, to the point that I came home with some of that as well. Also on site is Mooberry Wine for tasting and the Cheeseworks. Even better? You can picnic here and it is free.

After that, we all drove to Lefties for a delicious supper. We sat by the lovely fireplace and ate some more treats on a plate. The salmon was memorable. From there, I sadly went back to the hotel to pack, sit in the hot tub and visit with friends that were willing to trek out to visit me. They are always appreciated as the best kind of peeps!

Lefties: Qualicum location

Lantzville Church

Cheeseworks!

Vancouver Island on Dwellable

Summer Road Trip 2013: Electric Boat Company, Shopping and Spa

This morning’s fog dawned thick and creamy, with little visibility. However, I had yet another plan. I had booked a boat ride (yes, I know, I don’t like boats generally but desperation had set in) with The Electric Boat company as the folks on trip advisor said it was the number 2 thing to do in Ocean Shores. Plus, it has the advantage of being a mere 4 miles down the road. So, after breakfast, we set off and met with Tom. He was lovely, if a bit forgetful, but he showed us the map of the canal system, explained Duck Lake, kitted us up with life jackets and gave us a brief safety lesson before letting us loose by ourselves with his boat. Crazy. Top that off, with the sun breaking through while we puttered down the Grand Canal and I was grinning ear to ear.

The canal was calm, lush and green. The boat was enclosed like a wee ferry with flaps that you could raise up if you so chose. Somehow, that made riding in the boat very tranquil. We saw the beautiful houses, lots for sale, deer, racoon and birds of all sorts. That hour and a half was well worth the pennies shelled out and the kids got a different viewpoint as well.

Since we were already close to the south end, we opted to go to the jetty to enjoy this rare thing called sunshine. The sand was warm on the feet and the wind brisk. We climbed the rocks to watch the pelicans, seals and what may have been either whales or dolphins. The kids liked to clamber the rocks and driftwood to make forts. However, lunch was calling.

The afternoon was spent exploring the shops. I was rather miffed to find a ceramics place at 4:00 today, too late to do anything with that information. I found some nifty gifts and then wandered over to the biker booths. Little did I know that when I booked this trip, I had booked it for the Sun and Surf event…aka HOG WILD. Harley bikes are everywhere. Tattoo parlours are set up and the casino is raffling off a Harley too. Everywhere you look, there is a bike. Things apparently kick off tomorrow, so we have decided to head north tomorrow. Outlet shopping will be a lot more fun!

In the meantime, I took advantage of having extra adult hands and took myself off to the Quinault Spa for a very relaxing massage and special. I have no idea what they did but it involved mud, brushing and warm cloths. The massage came at the end. My skin feels amazing and their set up is lovely. I would totally recommend this place. It is pricier though. Anyway, the next blog is from the road or at home, depending. Currently, I must battle the luggage with teeth. Again.

Ocean Shores on Dwellable

The wee boat

Electric Boat company

On the canal

Birds in the rushes...except I missed

Raccoons

Fishing

Houses

Bouy markers

Duck Lake

Along the canal

Ramblings of a Mom whose Kids are Growing Up.

Fire. "Mom, this would be so much more entertaining if there was real fire." The dancer with the magic wand on the stage at Circus Terrifico just wasn't catching her attention at all. In good faith, I had bought tickets to see something that I assumed would be like cirque du soleil - just lower key. Instead, it was a ballet with bits of circus thrown in as a back drop. With two kids that dance, you roll with it, but fire? Really? I don't think she got much out of it. However, it was a cute family thing to do together and that is never a bad thing.

The thing is as a parent and a friend, I opt to try and make the most of my opportunities. I love to encourage and experiment and try new things. Cultural events? Sign me up. Sports - lets try that too. Travel someplace exotic or different, absolutely. One of the things that I need to figure out soon is what to do when the girls really don't like something that is by way of an experiment. Left to her own devices, my youngest would have happily walked out of the theatre and only stayed as I suggested that it would be rude to the other viewers and performers on stage to leave midway. When do they get to make their own choices about such things? When is it a better choice to let them opt out? After all, if a movie is terrible we can walk out right away or change the channel. Flip - it is easy.

With the age that the children are at, we are having a lot of discussion about courtesy and respect. We are talking about positive self esteem and trying to celebrate all the good things. That doesn't mean we ignore the bad, but it doesn't become a never ending negative. If there is something that needs a solution, we talk about it and try different methods to fix it. If math is a problem, I will work with you until it is understood. If spelling is an issue, we will add more reading and more practise. If friends are an issue, we talk about behaviours that will encourage friendship. Issues don't mean that you get to have a petty meltdown and go hide in the corner. My eldest especially is the best dramatic sulker ever! She also has the warmest heart and is the most open to loving words of encouragement. My youngest is sassy and pushes people away when she is upset. We sometimes have to struggle to find the core reason as to why she is hiding out, and most of the time, it can be resolved by validating her feelings.

Right now, my eldest has the opportunity to go away for a week to learn about communication and self awareness through a summer camp. The location is 8 hours away and I still have to work that week. I know she is ready to do this work and have some real fun away from me, but how do I find the ability to let her go and stand on her own feet? In some ways - this is the hardest parenting decision yet - but it still seems to be the right one. She will go, be amazing and grow up. I have to let her. (I really don't want to. I want to snuggle my precious girl and keep her home under my eye.) What if the adults pretend to invest in her and don't mean it? What if the kids leave her out? What if she wakes in the middle of the night and there is no one there? What then...? What if she gets sick? Who will be there? (Yes, I am an over protective mess. However, the adults in her world this year have been interestingly amazing on one hand and disappointing on the other.)

My youngest is growing up too fast too. I am no longer required to read stories. In fact, she will read them to me. Her independence is incredible and yet, I miss the days that she would hold my hand or want snuggles at bedtime. I miss singing songs in the bath - she handles her own now. She delights in creative play and dress up but no longer needs me by her side. Sometimes, I revel in the freedom to get stuff done, but others...not so much.

There are so many opportunities to spend time with people and build them up. I am indulging this with my girls as much as possible as they are at that age where I am realizing that I don't have that much more time to shape their thoughts into positive thinking and self confident appreciation of who they are. I am realizing that I can't focus on the foolishness of outside influences and just have to teach them to love themselves where they are at (report cards are the worst/best thing ever?). In addition, there are the opportunities to travel and see and experience life both here and away. I intend to ensure that they know that there is so much more to learn about the world than what is in their own back yard. I love letting them plan and budget for days out. They come up with things that I never would.

Today was a day that I think I chose an under appreciated thing. Lesson learned on both sides, however, it won't stop me from the next one. Peter Pan - we will see you in April as the tickets are already purchased. However, I will be asking for an opinion on the next show or activity. Apparently, the girls are old enough to have a say too.

"Not my kid" my kid

It is surprising how quiet the house is as I have four medium sized children running around the house. From time to time, I can hear the voices. I can hear the herd of elephants as they stomp up and down the stairs and across the ceiling. There is the rustling of paper and the movement of dolls from one end of the house to the other. Yet, I can comfortably sit on the sofa and write this.

This morning, I had three wee ones running around plus one of my own. There was dressing up activity followed by singing and duck chasing. Duck chasing involves a toddler with a duck toy that he pulls and the older kids think it is fun to chase him. There was a game of find the keys as that same toddler likes to hide them. Perhaps he is another one that is born to drive?

Today is fairly typical for me. I am surrounded by my own two girls plus their friends. This is the world of "not my kids" my kids. Volunteered to assist one parent have a relaxing workout when the wee toddler took a flat out aversion to the playroom, so I had all three kids for the hour. This was great as it stopped my youngest from being that awful word: BORED. So, thinking about the afternoon, I arranged to have a playdate for her as well. Then, I went to collect my oldest from school and as suspected, came back with her and her bff. This seems to be a Friday tradition.

All the children that I come into contact with on a regular basis rapidly start becoming what I have lately started calling "Not my kids my kids". I pick them up from school and transport them as needed. I am able to listen to stories, hear about school and fix hurt feelings. I know how to appreciate their individuality while still enjoying the play of the collective whole. All the children that wander into this house are treated the same. There are the same rules with the same expectations. If one gets into trouble, they all share the consequences (unless it is blatently clear that one kid is the ring leader). They also know that there are crafts, baking, creative play and independant play.

Today would seem to be about the younger two creating a fashion show and playing with barbies. The older two are creating a haunted house to which they want to frighten the younger two. At which time that it reaches completion, I will redirect their intentions to something else. Meanwhile, I am writing and scrapbooking at intervals. I was able to make them a hot lunch and enjoy the peace. Long may it last. So...here's to yet another afternoon of "not my kids my kids" playtime.