Be Careful What You Chant at Home

"Daddy, show me your bum rash!" I looked at Gary with my eyes wide open in shock and a dreaded sense of what could be coming. The chant. "Bum rash! Bum rash! Bum rash!". Tears of laughter and mortification ran down my face. My four-year-old son would not stop chanting and pointing at his father on a sky train full of people who were definitely listening and politely trying to act like they weren't hearing about "daddy's bum rash." We were headed down to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics so you can imagine just how many people were aboard that crowded sky train! Gary said "I don't think anyone wants to see that" so Kai responded with "Does anyone want to see dad's bum rash?"

Five Tips for Organizing Your Home

Our house currently has four kids under the age of nine.  This means that we have a lot of books, papers, backpacks, shoes, coats, toys etc.  How do we try to keep things organized and relatively clutter-free? A lot of these ideas stem from minimalism and the desire to be intentional about what we own and why. 

1.  File homework and library books into a safe place where we can see it (to be reminded) and where it is out of reach of little hands. Nya really just puts her crafts in her section and after a week they get recycled or placed on the Art Board. There is a basket for all the LeapPads and chargers and games.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

1.  Bubbles (and kids old enough to do them on their own!)

Whonnock Lake {Maple Ridge}

After visiting Kanaka Creek Cliff Falls, we took a five minute drive over to Whonnock Lake (still in Maple Ridge, B.C.) We have photographed at least 4 weddings here and it is a beautiful venue for it! There aren't any walking trails that we know of so we just walked out on the docks and then played on the new playground that they have.  If you were to come in the summer, there is a beach with a swimming area as well!

Kanaka Creek Cliff Falls {Maple Ridge, B.C.}

Kanaka Creek Regional Park in Maple Ridge, B.C. is a gorgeous place to explore throughout the year. We spent an hour running around the Cliff Falls area, to the hatchery, and looping along the Canyon Trail to the Pine Ridge Trail.  If you like greenery, mossy trees, waterfalls, bridges, and rivers...you'll love it!  The trails are not stroller-friendly as there are many stairs; next time we would just take a carrier in case one of the Littles got tired.  We walked for over an hour and saw most of the area and found two geocaches.  Dogs are to be on-leash and there are public bathrooms right near the start of the trails.  In case you want the proof of it's beauty...here you go!

Project 365 | Week 8

A photo a day for a year...

Five Reasons YOU Could Be A Foster Parent

If you had told me five years ago that we would be foster parents, I would say there was no way that was going to happen. Why would we? I don't have the skills. What about my own kids?  Too many unknowns. However, here we are, loving our Little One. You might be like me saying "Uh, no thanks. Great you can do it but it's not for our family." I get it. There are times in life where it truly would be too much, however, there are other times when we need that nudge. Consider this your nudge.

Here are five reasons YOU could be a foster parent:

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

Houston Trail {Langley, BC}

Koen and I had two hours together this afternoon so we went geocaching and exploring along the Houston Trail at Derby Reach Regional Park.  We love it there because it is so green and forested. The trail is also hilly so it gives you a bit of a work out. We were unable to find the first two geocaches but Koen said "That's okay, I love just exploring!" Music to my ears.  The loop is a great one hour walk and there is always something beautiful around the next corner.  Here are some photos from our time exploring:

Dear Baby Girl

Dear Baby Girl,

When I look at you, I am filled with thankfulness.  You are a beauty.  I don't mean that you are pretty to look at (you are!) but your sweet smile shows me the love that you have for others and the joy in your heart.  It's not always easy being the youngest in the family and I admire how you push yourself to keep up with your older brothers and ask for help if you need it.  Those are great skills; determination and self-awareness.