Frozen Deer Lake

We experienced snow in Vancouver 2-3 times in a year but this year, we had snow that came on and off for weeks which resulted in frozen lakes that was hard enough to skate on. We were stoked to be able to experience the fun of outdoor skating. 

* * * * *

DEER LAKE PARK

Burnaby, B.C.

An Epic Week at Willingdon Church Bible Camp

We did our first week of Summer with a Bible Camp from Willingdon Church.

Kimi's 3rd year and Kenzo's 1st.

As expected, they both enjoyed the experience and time spent with childhood friends during the week.

Click here to register.

Kouri Flute Academy Guitar Recital 2015

Kimi started taking up guitar lessons in Kouri Flute Academy starting September. It is a weekly thing that lasts for 30 minutes.

Fast forward to a few months of lessons, we were asked if we were interested for her to join the recital.

I haven't seen her during practice but I know for certain that this is an opportunity for her to get past her fears of playing onstage so I said yes.

Here is a snippet of what happened during the day of the recital.

She gets to play two piece.

Not perfect,but so proud of her for being calm and finishing both pieces.

* Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

...and because it was almost Christmas,

* Jolly Saint old Nicholas

* * * * *

Kour Flute Academy

Burnaby, B.C.

Classroom Auction Project 2015

This year, a mom friend was a coordinator for the Grade 2 Auction Project. She came to me and asked me to help pitch in ideas and maybe help with the execution of the project up to it's completion as well.

This year is the Grade 2's First Communion year and we decided to focus the theme of our projects in line with the religious event. We wanted something that has a touch of the students on the project to make it more special. Pictures are worth a thousand words and these kid's pictures are used as mosaic to make up the whole artwork which are the following: The Holy Family and The Holy Trinity.

 

* Original Images

* Photo Mosaic (edited to smaller size)

With a mosaic app, I was able to do these to both pictures. I put all the pictures from the kids in one folder. These pictures are from Kindergarten to Grade 2 pictured collected from their school... It was a lot of pictures but having more pictures to choose from is better in making the art work closer to the original.

We took advantage of the free poster print from Staples to see a proof of the Holy Trinity and once we saw how it looked, we decided to pay for one more copy for the Holy Family. We made use of the current promo at Michaels to frame the art works. It was a BOGO deal, which was why we actually saved a bit. Thanks to coupling.

* Display of the Auction item in the hallway of the school

* 22" x 28" framed and matted photo mosaic

It was overwhelming to see how the teachers (and students) responded to the Mosaic. We brought it on Tuesday (April Fools Day) since we had a schedule to do the add on project that we were brewing which was a paper bead rosary. We brought both frames up to the Grade 2 classroom and the teacher explained and showed the students our auction project.

* Grade 2 class

For the paper bead rosary, we decided to get each kids to write down 2 prayers on an index card and copy those same prayers to a strip of paper which we will be rolling to make a paper bead. These beads will be the one uses to make a rosary. Armed with a jewelry tool and some wires, I tried to loop each beads as soon as they finish their prayer intentions and soon the rosary was taking shape. Thanks to a cutting machine, Mrs. Wagner used the machine to cut the cross on a cardboard and on the scrap paper similar to the beads to finish off the rosary's cross. We have yet to seal each bead with a gloss for the weekend and hopefully it will turn out great as well. A frame or a jewelry box is the final touch we were hoping for to showcase the product.

* Paper Bead Rosary

* Shadow Box Closed

* Shadow Box Opened

*Button Ring to hold the index cards with prayer intentions

Creative Dance for 5 years old

I wish there was a site to check on ratings and reviews of a particular class before trying them out but it is a hit and miss.

There is one though that I tried before when Kimi was younger, which I loved at Shadbolt called "Creative Dance 4yo" with an instructor named Mr. Trevor. He is now at his 15th year teaching this class and what I love the most is his character and the live accompaniment that makes the class more interesting. The fact that I intentionally registered for his class is a statement enough of just how much I enjoy his class for my kids... Kenzo actually refused to go to dance class, but he enjoyed it right after one class. (Whew!)

We were invited to watch on the last day of the class, and here are the pictures to go with the presentation.

* Warm Up

* Obstacle Course

* * * * *

CREATIVE DANCE for 5yo

Mr. Trevor

March 9-13, 2015

Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

Capturing my little munchkins...

Are there tips out there on how to catch those moments of fleeting childhood moments up close?

I love my kids but it is just impossible to get both of them to cooperate just in time for me to get a picture of them prim and proper, smiling at the camera. I usually had to beg (bribe) them to stay still just for one more take.

I finally moved on to the portrait setting on my camera and this is what I got so far...

It was the last day of creative dance for Kenzo and Pro-D Day for Kimi which also officially marks the start of their spring break. We were able to spend the afternoon biking and skating and just running around without catching up to a schedule... (Sigh) 

I do appreciate any feedbacks on what settings works best on your camera to catch kids on the go.

Flowers in Bloom

I am so excited for Spring and I am experimenting with close up photos in Macro setting.

I am so happy with the outcome. I still have a long way to go but I am happy that I am able to capture a part of the beauty of Spring. Parks are something we have an abundance of here in Vancouver so I am just clicking away as I see them filling up the soil.

Show me your tips on capturing flowers. I can't wait to have an exchange of ideas.

Spring Break (Almost) Free or Free Activities around Burnaby/Vancouver 2015

It is that time of the year wherein the flowers are showing up all around Vancouver and it is finally "Spring". Together with the season is the one week break from school and kids asking what the plans are. It could actually add up especially for parents who works and has to find camps that are way expensive. I , on the other hand, am looking up for ways to make the break fun yet something that wouldn't let me go break up the piggy bank.

March 16-20th, 2015

Toonie Matinees at Landmark

I love the movie theater at Landmark, New Westminster. It's fairly new, near a skytrain, very clean and comfortable chairs. Plus add the fact that you can watch a movie at $2 and that includes the tax!

Details Here

TUESDAYS SPECIALS plus DISNEY FROZEN SHORT FILM

There are a lot of places to walk around that area as well and maybe afterwards, go back for the much anticipated Cinderella. 

a bonus feature is that the Short Film of Frozen will be shown together with the Cinderella movie at Landmark Cinemas only

Details Here

Get your tickets on a Tuesday and price is at $6.25. What a steal!

Chapters Spring Break Activities

Free Activities with a variety of theme for each day.

Details Here

You can pre-register to make sure you get a spot. I put my kids in awhile ago and some of them are almost full.

What are your plans?

I would love to hear more ideas...