Guinness Book Exhibit at the Pacific Science Center

This year, I decided that we would do creative field trips with the kids and with an annual science pass that we purchased, we will be gearing toward science this year to maximize our purchase. We used our annual membership first, not on our own museum in Vancouver but on a Seattle trip, The Pacific Science Center.

I was excited as the exhibit featured was something I was interested in. The Guiness Book of World Record Exhibit. It ends at February 4th.

We went for the permanent exhibits first as it was our first time in this museum.

Science on a Sphere

All about the planets, Kenzo was more excited with playing the puzzles than learning about them..

Maybe next time?

Puget Sound and Salt Water Tide Pool

Dinosaur: A Journey through time

* A trip back to the Dinosaur Age

There were full sized dinosaurs moving their necks to create the effect of their movements and all the informations for your to read.

 

* A look at the place

 

* The most interesting looking dinosaur of the pack

Pachycephalosaurus- it was actually found in Western Canada and U.S.A.

Kimi and Kenzo enjoyed the Dinosaur prints... 

* Just as big asa a footprint

 

* Kenzo was engrossed with the eggs and how the baby dinosaur looks like

Of course, in between we were able to catch some shows. We caught the show "FIRE"

...and of course, the Featured Exhibit. THE GUINESS BOOK EXHIBIT

* Giant chair makes the kids extra small

* These are made up of toasts with torch. Amazing!

* This is made up of bolts and car parts

* This is made up of matchsticks!

* Family pictorial by the jaw bone

Art Collage made up of ordinary things into extraordinary artwork.

* Stamp Collage

* Penny Collage

* Candy Collage

* PC keyboard Collage

* Telephone Directory Carved to make Art

* Kenzo loved this camel with toys of every era hanging on everywhere

Outdoor was quite a nice walk, you can go from one exhibit indoor or walking by this outdoor waterscapes and going through another door to the exhibit you want to discover next.

* PACIFIC CENTER OUTDOOR

* * * * *

GUINESS BOOK OF WORLD EXHIBIT

Pacific Science Center

Seattle, WA

U.S.A.

The Grotto

We decided to spend our Easter on a long journey to visit The Grotto in Portland, Oregon.

We attended the Good Friday liturgy. It was an experience and you would have thought that you were in the Philippines with all the Filipinos from British Columbia that attended that particular mass. It was a standing room for us even if we were a good 20 minutes early entering the church.

I especially loved the lifelike sculpture near the church's gift shop. It was eerie how real it looks despite the glass enclosure.

* * * * *

HAPPY EASTER

and cheers to new beginnings

Portland Adventure

We've never been to Portland so it was a bonus that our friends, Stone and Twinny, was able to accompany us for a 3 days and 3 nights of shopping and great eats.

* Kimi all dressed up for Portland

We hit on the outlet store first thing in the morning which was a great idea because the people from Canada are still on the road, and we didn't find the need to spend much time lining up to pay plus we got the top pick of the stocks :)

I found some nice items and great bargains and managed to get shoes for both kids...

* Kimi loved this and wanted to wear it instead of her sandals

We don't have See's Candies in Canada and I was more than happy to get some free chocolates for tasting. Of course, I got some to take home and indulge as well.

* See's Candies

Afterwards, we went to the nearby mall "Washington Square" which had a great selections of stores as well and decided to do a mother-daughter pedicure since we are in a no-tax city. I figured it would save us a couple of pennies.

* Little Pampering 

We had dinner at the Portland Seafood Company and had a grand feast of assorted seafood for dinner. Hubby enjoyed immensely, satisfying his craving of crabs he's had for months.

* Seafood Feast

We went Downtown for our next day. I ended up buying some teas which I sampled from Teavana. It was a combination of Blueberry and Pineapple which Kimi and I really love and we tasted quite a few cups as we purchased some to make at home...

* Refreshing

...hubby also did some purchasing on the side,

We also made a stop at the Lloyd's Center Mall which had a couple of shops that was not in the previous 2 malls we went. Old Navy and Barnes & Nobles to name a few. I bought a couple of flash cards to review with Kimi for Summer vacation and it was quite handy on our long road trip home. 

* Free Balloons from Lloyd's Center

Our trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to The Cheesecake Factory right near our hotel. 

It was perfect right beside the mall and we got to do some last minute shopping while we waited.

* Everything ordered was great

Unfortunately, we ate a little too much on the main course, we couldn't bring ourselves to eat desserts. Maybe next time :)

We spent the last night getting ready for our early take off, and we had the flashcards and iphone to keep Kimi occupied.

* Iphone app that manipulates the face... 

* * * * *

TIGARD, OREGON

 PORTLAND 

Great Wolf Experience

Last year, I was so happy that we were able to squeeze in a Mommy's Overnight  Trip to Seattle, U.S.A. This year, we were able to go as group all the way to Grand Mound, WA kids and hubbies included. We were a huge group and it was FUN! FUN! FUN! I guess we are improving as the year goes by ;) I wonder what will be next now that we did the border crossing vacation as a family...

Note: Picture heavy and long post... Don't say I didn't warn you :)

We got a great deal from a 48 hour sale online and despite the dates that were required, we booked the 2- nights vacation months before and with fingers crossed hope that everything will work out and everyone will be able to join...

It was really nice that everything work out and everyone was on board. Although some stayed for a night, some 2, and some for 3 nights. We were able to come together for a night wherein everyone was there to enjoy each others company.

We all saw each other at Tukwila, WA on our way to Great Wolf Lodge grabbing a quick lunch at our favorite stop- Jollibee etc. then going around Seafood City for some snacks we can bring into our room.

* The "GREAT" Wolf Lodge Experience

* Registration Area is well decorated

There is a swinging raccoon that greets you as you wait to be registered and a big bear near the door that you will surely see on your way out.

* Big Brown Bear

It was a bit of a wait before we were able to get our room and we had to go through the lines to follow up before we finally got one. The kids were so excited and exasperated for the wait while they watched the action at the other side of the glass.

* Wallet in a Wrist

One of the inconveniences of swimming is that you are hungry and wet afterwards and this special bracelet solved all that by putting in your card information on your wrist and serves as a room key as well. Pretty convenient eh? Wise invention if I can say so myself. It served its purpose well and quite a relief to just put your wrist out and open your room or pay for something without the need to rummage through your bags or pocket for a key or a credit card.

It is a must to go and try out the water park when you come here. It is the highlight of the place and not experiencing the water is like going to an ice cream place and just drinking a glass of water. The cherry on top for this is the slides.... Long lines, worth the wait.

* Water Paradise


Finally, our room was ready for occupation.

* Room 2902

I was a bit disappointed at first that we got a 2nd floor bedroom but it vanished right away when I saw that it was a good distance to the spa and Bear Paw (Sweet Bar) as well as the Bear Landing (2nd floor access to the pool). 

* Family Suite Room


The events in the water park is endless and it kept us occupied for our stay and kept the kids really excited every time they wake up in the morning.

* Scooops Kids Spa

I was impressed with the concept of this kids spa but more astounded on the price. Scooops caters to the sweet side of a little girl and treats them as a princess for their services with a tiara for each service and giant banana split as your chair, delicious ice cream flavored manicures or pedicures to choose from or if you'd rather do a facial. Each service comes with a side of ice cream to keep that experience as sweet as it's name. I'd probably do this when Kimi is a bit older with bigger nails to make me more agreeable to the price they are asking for :) I actually did a home mani-pedi for Little Kimi as I've promised.

Activities:

* Story Time and Clock Tower Show

Story Time and Clock Tower Show was a delightful end to a very tiring, but fun, adventure. 

I was reminded me of Pocahontas in a way but it was nice to see that there was a real effort in making a production out of a short show. The props and the mechanisms to make each characters move and make the kids sit upright in awe as they try to catch up with the message of the show. Even the youngest would enjoy this short show.

* Wolf Walk

In the mornings, kids gathered for a wolf tour to learned a bit more about different animals and ends with an origami demonstration of- what else, a Wolf!

* Little Listener

Story Time is accompanied by Mascot Violet and the kids were excited to take a picture with the said mascot after the story.

* Inseparables

* Kenzo!

...and for those who are restless with nothing to do

* Big Coloring Pad to keep the most restless hands busy...

* Mac and Kenzo starting to reconnect...

*...Time to get some more activities- ALL DONE!

...more activities on the 2nd floor

The Cub Club is an arts area that has a list of activities that you may choose from (price ranges depending on the craft), but there is a table for free crafts. Parent Participation is required in this area. This is not a drop off area so parents still needs to be there to spend precious time making creative things with their kids.

* Little Puppeteers in the making

* Nice Backdrop and Rest Area for these kids

* Playing House


Of course, we decided on the free crafts and just relied on our imaginations to make it fun and made use of the coloring pages that are available in the area and had the kids color them. Afterwards, we got some free construction papers and created a hat for each kid to showcase their art work.

* We made this!

....for the late nights, we did arcades,

* $ 0.25 per token: it does add up... 

* Prizes we got after we had our share of games

Food:

Food choices here is good too. We got to try Pizza Hut for our first day. Camp Critter's Bar and Grille for our 2nd Day and Loose Moose Cottage for our 3rd Day Brunch. The guys had beers at Grizzly Rob's Bar and they claimed to like the Blue Moon which has a fruity taste to it.

* Camp Critter Cuties

Kid's Meals are $7.99 with these ears included in the package...

* Mommies at Moose Loose Cottage after a full meal

* Bear Paw Sweets and Eats for the Sweet Tooth Cravings

...It is more fun to travel in groups especially if that group's company is someone you genuinely enjoy

Such is the case in this so it was a dream vacation

* Wolf Pack- Cheers to more group-vacation!

Friendship isn't about whom you've known the longest...

it's about who came and never left your side

- Anonymous

* * * 

Thank you mommies for the gift and warmth of your friendship... 

...and before we leave for Vancouver

* Chua Family :)

"If our children feels friendship within the family, with each other, and with parents, they will not be desperate for acceptance outside the family.

I think no finer compliment can be paid to parents than to have children say that their parents are among their best friends.

- Martin K. Jensen, 1999 (Friendship: A Gospel Principle)

* * *

To my mom, my dad and siblings

I hope you know that YOU are one, if not my Best(est) Friend...

I LOVE YOU GUYS...and I MISS YOU GUYS A LOT

* * *

Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray,

do not forsake me, God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Psalm 71:17-18 (NIV)

* * * 

To my babies,

I know that we are not perfect as parents but we strive to be the best we can for you guys,

Remember that mommy and daddy loves you very much.

* * * * *

GREAT WOLF LODGE

April 8 - 10, 2012

Grand Mounds, WA

U.S.A.