Monday, March 31, 2025

Spring Break 2025 - checking out UBC

Turns out the University of British Columbia feels a touch too large and metropolitan for our kid at this point in his life.  Will this change?  Maybe.  But we got to spend a few days in Vancouver, B.C., tour the college, nab some poutine, visit Granville Island to do some shopping, and pick up chocolates at an actual bonafide Lindt store. 

It should be noted we were originally going to make this a train trip.  Two (three?) days before our departure we were notified that the second part of our journey north was going to switch from train to bus in Seattle because of <insert whatever Amtrak's reason was here>.  Okay.  Not great but doable.  One day later, the second notification arrived that the first part of our return trip was also changing from train to bus.  Since driving isn't that much of a burden and having more than half our time spent on a bus sounded miserable, we ended up driving up ourselves.  This was definitely a good decision and I enjoyed our time together immensely. 

Of course there were pictures...

For the majority of our road trips through the years Hen and I camped and/or stayed in budget motels so a little luxury I was able to secure at the low cost of $13 (+ parking) thanks to some saved up credit card points was super lovely and appreciated. This is our room in the older of the two Fairmont hotels in downtown Vancouver. We did not have air conditioning in our unit (mon dieu!) and the pool was being prepped for a remodel, but we somehow scored a particular "level" of stay and so we were entitled to and took full advantage of the complimentary breakfast, midday snacks, and evening desserts offered.

The teenage boy is still sleeping so I played Solitaire.

UBC Beaty Biodiversity Museum

Henry found this humerus.

I do not recall what this is, a type of grass perhaps? But I like the looks of it.

Exciting museum times for this kid.

Dinosaurs! ROAR!

Turns out Canadians have some trouble with book bans, too.

Always happy to return to Granville Island.



A nice steak dinner out!

Yes, we did enjoy our trip to the Lindt chocolate shop.

Friday, February 28, 2025

Tuesday, January 07, 2025

Diagon Alley Wizarding Shops

 Our love of LEGO continues...



Sunday, December 15, 2024

Christmas tree + sick kid

Henry missed two days of school last week and has had a yo-yoing fever that goes down after a dose of DayQuil/NyQuil but back up as soon as it starts to wear off. It's awful. Poor kid. What better thing to do than get dressed, go outside, and select a Christmas tree to make yourself feel better, amirite? Was this the best parenting decision? No. But it only took about half an hour and we got a great tree and he did get to breathe some fresh air for a tiny fraction of his day so it all turned out okay. Our little tree is lit and decorated and has presents under it and as soon as it is daytime again I'll update this post with a second pic of what it looks like all finished. For now you can see what our rather tall child looks like standing by our 4-5 foot Christmas tree.

Monday, December 09, 2024

Oregon Zoo Lights

Face of a teenager who does not wish to stop so his mama can take a cute picture, represents compliance while being noncompliant


Octopus!

Obligatory cousin shot

DANG.  Oregon Zoo knows climate change is real and isn't afraid to add it to their Christmas lights display.

Selfie of me and the kid

Just a cool bird

Just a dodo bird

What it looks like when the person tasked with putting up this display doesn't try hard.

Snowman at the zoo!

Friday, August 30, 2024

Important cat update

 

Wednesday, August 28, 2024