July 15, 2014: A Cluck Cluck Here!

Today we went on an adventure to the Hamilton Petting Farm. We drove up to a quaint homestead with many animals to meet and greet. We followed the signs into the barn to pay our entrance. Beside the cash register they were selling chicken feed in small brown bags, $1 each. Before we left the cashier stopped us to say, "you can feed anything with feathers." Nana and I looked at each other as if to say,"feathers? Why do we need feathers?" After a few more repetitions we understood the message, you can give your chicken feed to any animal that has feathers. So off we went with our chicken feed. Right in the barn we saw baby chickens and quails, all different sizes and ages. Just outside the barn we came across a huddle of ducks. The ducks were all different breeds but they were a pack; they followed each other, stayed together and starting quacking if one got too far away. Isaac tried giving them some feed but they were not interested. Next we met Silas the goat then Chloe and Sophia, the mini pot belly pigs. The pigs were snorting and rolling in the mud, just as we think of pigs doing. We saw more chickens, all different kinds; there were sizzles and silkies and frizzles. Some were quite funny looking with fluffy heads and pompoms on their feet. The big red chickens loved our feed. They would run to wherever you threw it, clucking frantically and even stepping on each other for a bite of mashed up dry corn. Our next stop was the goat pen where the kids got to feed and brush all of the four legged kids. We continued our tour with more clucking chickens, two gentle donkeys and two magestic horses. The big finale was the kids each got to ride the pony around the yard. But after all that the kids favorite part was still the playground over by the parking lot. They must be city kids!

July 14, 2014: An All Day Beach Day

Today we were headed for the beach. We packed the cooler, slapped on our suits, brought the towels, chose the toys, loaded the wagon, grabbed the BBQ and  drove to the beach. We bring way too much stuff to walk. We started the day at the park and the spray deck. The kids were having a riot with the big slide and the water cannons. The water sprayers only swivel about 60 degrees but Isaac has figured out how to redirect the water with his hand so he can spray in any direction. He gets a few unsuspecting bystanders wet. When our tummies started to rumble Nana started up the BBQ and we had hot dogs for lunch at the park. Isaac suggested that we start selling them for profit and undercut the concession stand to increase sales. We just had lunch. Once our bellies were full we headed to the beach to set up camp. We chose a high spot up by the rocks to avoid being washed away by the ever encroaching afternoon tide. The kids don't like it because they have to walk over the rocks to get to the sand but I figure they will get tougher feet this way. Once we were down at the water Everett was surprisingly the most daring. He went right in, doing his floats and jumping around. Isaac was a little more tentative but he does enjoy the waves and collecting stuff; he found a great collection of seashells and an abundance of crabs. Makenna just did not like the weeds; anytime one would touch her feet she would scream and say "owwwwww!" She stayed on the sand and built some sandcastle villages. By 6 pm we were hot, sticky, sandy and salty so we decided to head home only to return another day. You really cannot beat a day at the beach. 

July 13, 2014: A Fare Day at the Fair

Sunday, July 13 is Qualicum Beach Day! So we drove down to see what it was all about. We parked by the Sand Pebbles Inn, where we stayed for our honeymoon, then walked down the esplanade. There were several booths set up each with a different activity. The boys got their faces painted; Isaac chose Spider-Man and Everett chose Batman. Then we met a clown and got some balloon puppies, Thor, Bruno and Fifi. We stopped to visit with the firefighters and the kids got to sit in the front seat of the big ladder truck. Further down we HAD to stop at The Beach Hut concession stand for a "dog slush". Isaac remembered getting a slush puppy last year and has been talking about it all week. They each got a huge slush and they could not have been happier. Our last stop along the way was the talent stage. We sat for a while enjoying the local blues band. Isaac enjoyed the "electric rock guitar" and aspires to play one some day soon. We had a good time at the fair but we were not tired out yet so we headed to the spray deck and the beach to cool off in the afternoon. This has become our afternoon and evening tradition while we are here and I quite enjoy it. Tonight as we set on a log on the beach, drip drying in the low sunshine after a swim in the ocean, I briefly thought about rushing home for dinner. Then I reconsidered, thinking, "we are on vacation; I would rather be on the beach."

July 12, 2014: The Little Falls That Could

Today we went for a hike at Little Qualicum Falls. The views were break taking, accompanied by the roar of the water rushing over the cliffs. We hiked to the upper falls, crossed the bridge and wondered down the trail a bit further. We doubled back when the kids had enough and got some of the best views on the way down. The pictures only give you a glimpse of this beautiful waterfall. 

July 11, 2014: A Night in Paradise

Today was a quiet, stay at home and clean kind of day. So we thought a night in paradise was fitting. A night at Paradise Mini-Golf that is. The kids piled in the wagon and we hiked down to the 36 hole oasis. Isaac chose to play the pirate course with the big pirate ship complete with métis and a treasure cove being the big attraction. Isaac was a serious golfer tonight trying hard to sink the putt then claiming a hole in one after six hits. Everett was a hockey style golfer with rapid repeated hits one after the other. Go Happy Gilmore! Makenna gave each hole her best effort; she got everything lined up, gave about three good hits then gave up, picked up the ball and walked to the hole. Then she placed the ball down about six inches from the hole and hit it in. I like her style. After 18 stellar holes of PGA style golf, we had a ride on the bumper boats. Everett was my passenger while Isaac got to pilot his boat rig. While Isaac was busy squirting water at the onlookers we blasted him from behind getting him wet from head to toe. We all got some good shots in and everyone was wet including Nana the photographer on the side lines. Me and my pirates sure had fun at Paradise tonight! We will return for a rematch. 

July 8, 2014: Beach BBQ

Today was a beach day! All day. We started at the playground and the spray deck. We waited for the hunger sharks to strike then we set up and had a BBQ in the park. Mom bought a small camping grill and it worked perfectly for cooking hot dogs in the park. After lunch we headed to the beach. Tide was coming in so we had to choose our spot carefully. Isaac set out to practice his surfing, Everett collected some crabs in the tide pools and Makenna was covered in sand from her sand castle building. Change that: Isaac had fun splashing in the water, Everett saved a while bucket of crabs by putting them back in the water and Makenna smashed my sandcastles as fast as I could make them. Everyone was tired, wet and sandy so it was a great day at the beach. 

And I got an unexpected end to the day when Gregory sent me on a blind mission to pick up a beautiful bouquet of flowers for our nine year anniversary. What a nice surprise! 

July 10, 2014: Totally Tubular

Today we spent the day with Mark and his sister, Deb at their lot on Horne Lake. And what a day it was. Hot and sunny; not a cloud in the sky. The kids had a great time in the water and out of the water. They were busy down on the dock playing in the tubes and spraying everyone on the battery powered "putt putt" boat. The adults enjoyed a refreshing swim in the clear but chilly lake and then we headed off in the boat. Each of the kids went for a tube ride and enjoyed bumping along in the waves. Mark went slow enough this time and everyone managed to stay on. We docked at a small island across the lake where we all got out to explore. Isaac and Everett had a great time scampering up the rocks and balancing across the rickety bridge. We loaded back into the boat, back to Mark's dock for a little more playtime. As dinner time drew near Isaac asked, "Can we just stay hear?" Needless to say, the kids had a great day at Horne Lake and will be asking to go back. Thanks Mark and Deb!