FUN with SON: Lego Imagine Nation Tour

Living in Vancouver, we are spoiled by the surrounding natural beauty, fresh air, and picturesque views. We are also a magnet for many awesome traveling exhibits, conventions, and concerts. Last weekend, I managed to take a whole day off to take my little buddy D on a Fun with Son adventure to one of these events, the Lego Imagine Nation Tour while the girls had a relaxing day at home. Ever since school started, we don't get to spend as much time together doing fun stuff so this is big treat for both of us. In my mind, I expected to spend the day playing Lego with the boy. When we got there, it quickly occurred to me that I would only be watching him play. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

The tickets were relatively cheap ($28 each) and we had been looking forward to this event ever since we purchased the tickets back in August. We had a similar trip to Legoland in Tokyo last winter and had so much fun that we were looking forward to going back soon. Together, we had the whole day planned which included a nap before the event, catching the skytrain there and back, and taking a cab to dinner. Leading up to the event, I thought about when he was 2 years old and only into Mega Bloks. He would put together 3-4 blocks and tell me he built a car or a robot. These days, he would hold a seminar to show me how his complex Lego robots, driven by two Lego men shoots rockets and transforms into a coffee maker so he could make me a drink. I await the day when he builds a running time machine out of LEGO and asks me to come with him so he could tame a T-Rex.

Held at the Vancouver Convention Center between September 30 to October 2, the Lego Imagine Nation Tour is an interactive family event for fans of all ages. Luckily they made a stop in Vancouver as they only planned five stops in Canada. The tour is made up of 14 exhibits and experiences that feature displays of life size iconic characters like Darth Vader, The Hulk, Spiderman, and R2D2. FUN FACT: Did you know there are only 7 Lego Master Builders in the world? Don't worry, I never heard of it either but one of these Masters were in attendance to give a demonstration on Lego building techniques so that the world may one day have 8 or 9 more Master Builders.

The missions and experiences that were introduced varied and caters to a wide range of fans. With limited time, we were only able to get through under half of it but we made the best of our time. Starting at Lego City, I watched as D expertly assembled a speedster that looks like a monster truck with its large wheels, crew cab, and a reinforced bumper meant for destroying anything that meets its path. He tested it numerous times to his satisfaction. After 45  minutes of his improv engineering, he declared that he was ready to race and challenged anyone who dared. I am pleased to announce that he won most of the races and the only car that got destroyed was his own. The genius planners save some space for people to valet their creations so they can come back and continue building if they please. 

Next door, was the Minecraft exhibition. D asked me to help him build a fort but as I was collecting pieces, I noticed all the kids were fighting for a 2 cell block with the letters TNT on it. D told me his was rich because he collected more TNT than anyone else. Puzzled, I asked, what is the TNT for? At least half the kids at the booth looked at me as if I were Donald Trump attempting an apology. They told me that it was like money in Minecraft; that the more you have the richer you were because you can blow things up. I still don't know what so great about it which, apparently, means that I am an uncool dad. 

Across from Minecraft was the NEXO Knights mission. Here, kids are asked to make a shield for their knights to display proudly during their epic battles. D worked hard at his simple but cleverly named, "My Face Shield," which he said is designed from his own face because he can scare people. The Lego helpers agreed that it was scary and rewarded him with a NEXO Knight catapult Lego set to take home. He was beaming with pride that his Face Shield was appreciated.

After a brief water break (where I lined up for 20 minutes), we continued through the event, where we finally arrived at the Ninjago Dojo design mission. The lineups had been long all day because the kids were to protect their creations from attacking ninjas in a virtual reality platform. We decided that I would line up while D works on his architectural master piece. He told me he would build a bridge to the dojo where he will plant some Minecraft TNT that he borrowed from the other exhibition and set some traps so the ninjas can't touch his dojo. After 45 minutes, it was time to put his ninja skills to the test. He did a lot of chopping and kicking and punching and spinning and slipping and winning. When he was done, he collapsed to the floor out of breath. It was quite an acrobatic display of poorly practiced ninjitsu that only warrants a pat on the back from the ancient warriors of Japan for his efforts.

D was drained as we entered the Star Wars challenge. The coolest part about this exhibit was the life size models of Yoda, Darth Vader, and R2 D2. It was an incredible display of  dedication, creativity, and determination for someone to put it all together. Anyhow, the challenge was to build a fighter ship and display it proudly in the Star Wars Galaxy display table. After all we had already been through, this was considered a pretty tame booth. Unfortunately for D, the Force was not with him as he soon passed out on a pile of lego at the Brick Pit.

Although I spent most of the day in lineups or on the sidelines staying out of the way of all the children who were feverishly picking out blocks, I felt we had a great time together. This is a traveling road show that we will definitely return to should they choose to come back to Vancouver! Until then, we shall "Play on."

 

10 things to do with your kids this summer

As the summer holidays get under way, you may be having a bit of a migrane trying to figure out how to drain some of the high octane energy your kids had previously reserved for their school teachers. It’s a bittersweet feeling to have them back full time so it's best to make the most of it while you can. This summer, our 5 year old will be attending some really fun and enlightening camps to expand his horizon but beyond that, it will be my duty as his best friend/dad to plan some awesome fun stuff so that it can turn into some epic stories for him to tell his friends when he gets back to school! It can be quite expensive to go out, so the goal is to try fun things which have little to no cost attached.

Here is a list of ten fun activities to do with your kids this summer without putting a dent in your wallet!

1. Visit a farm and go berry picking.

Is there a way to turn grocery shopping into a family activity? You bet there is! We do this every summer and this year will be no different! One of our favorite farms is Krause Berry Farm in Langley. At Krause Berry Farm you can pick a good selection of berries such as: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries! This year, a family fun field will be introduced where your kids can have an interactive learning experience testing their farming skills! I highly recommend visiting this place if you don’t mind the drive. Earlier this month, we spent $8 on the berries we picked, and after a good 6 hours in the kitchen together, we have ourselves a good supply jams, Jello, scones, muffins, and bagels! We froze some and gave some away to neighbors and everyone was happy except my impending dad bod! 

Our favorite farm in the Fraser Valley, Krause Berry Farms is an awesome family activity not far from home.

2. Go hiking.

Vancouver has some of the most beautiful scenery around and it would be a real shame if we didn’t take advantage of it. If you are looking for an easy route, I would suggest Deer Lake in Burnaby. Most of the trail is along a boardwalk and visitors are often treated to calm breezes in the shade and some mild wildlife lurking among the woods. Those of you who love a good challenge should definitely check out Quarry Rock in North Vancouver. It offers a good mix of terrain with an amazing view as a reward for reaching the peak. Just be sure that your kids can handle the hike too before you find them attached to your back half way up or down! 

A hike that is easy enough for a kid is also not too strenuous for adults.

View from Quarry Rock. I think our dog enjoyed it the most.

3. Have a picnic.

This is an activity that we do all the time. It can perfectly complement any of the activities on this list or be the reward of a skytrain journey to a local tourist destination such as the Convention center to watch seaplanes take off or the Lonsdale Quay just so we can ride the seabus. You could pack some lunch, find a spot somewhere with a view, and enjoy your company. The kids can even help prepare the lunches and snacks.

Looks simple enough except I would want Big Star to make my sandwiches for me.

4. Collect rocks and paint them.

We were introduced to this idea last summer when a friend invited us to his fishing cabin on the island. All guests were to paint a rock as a signature of their visit. We loved it and vowed to do this when we got home. A good place to find stones is the seawall at Stanley Park. The key is to find rocks with nice shapes and smooth surfaces. You can paint some silly faces, landscapes or even write a special message on the rocks. You can keep it as decoration or give them to as a personal gift, which I am sure the receiver will enjoy. 

Collecting rocks at Seymour Mountain. This guy found many nice smooth and flat rocks for us to use!

This was done by Saya and D from our last haul.

5. Have a waterfight.

One of the more obvious things you could do this summer is have a waterfight. Having a waterfight is one of the best ways to cool down when it's hot. You could buy some colourful water balloons or some inexpensive squirt guns for this purpose. Find a quiet park with facilities to reload and run wild!

This idea from Pinterest is my dream water fight. Not sure if I have the patience to fill the balloons though.

6. Build a fort at home.

As we do live in a wet climate, it is inevitable to experience a few rainy days. This is a good activity because building a fort doesn't require much material and can be done in your living room, or backyard. Everything you need can be found around the home. Chairs, tables, and bed frames make for a good foundation and bed sheets are breathable, which offers good coverage for a roof. Furnish the insides to your taste and you can practically live in it! This activity is great because it will test your kid's hand-eye coordination, and stimulate their imagination.

Something like this cardboard fort I found on Pinterest would be ideal!

7. Play sports.

Like other 90s kids, I spent my much of my free time outdoors playing street hockey, riding a bike or playing catch. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot of life skills playing sports. While my playing days are mostly behind me, I feel that, as someone who enjoyed competition in their youth, I can contribute to the athletic success of the kids by joining them in play. D loves soccer, tennis and basketball and I enjoy watching him improve each time out. We also like to visit Deer Lake on a really hot day for some canoeing, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for some leisurely paddling. On a cold day, swimming or golf at the driving range are great alternatives.

The driving range at Eaglequest is child friendly and the instructors are great if you want to get some lessons!

Paddling at Deer Lake is an intimate activity that is a great way to relax while staying in the city.

8. Attend a free outdoor concert or movie.

Did you know the City of Burnaby sponsors some great free concerts and/movie nights all summer? Summer Sundays at Civic Square in Burnaby Metrotown Library or Symphony in the Park at Deer Lake are great events to enjoy a free outdoor concert or movie. Bring a blanket, a good attitude, and enjoy the evening with your kids!

Symphony in the Park 2015. We didn't get center stage seats as we got there a bit late but still not bad!

9. Go bike riding.

My hope is that we can ride a bike together this summer since my little buddy is still on training wheels. If we succeed, this classic activity will be awesome because it is much cooler on a bike with the breeze on a hot summer day. Your kids will be outside and you will be getting some much needed exercise since “Dad Bod” will never be in style.

The Aldergrove zoo was where this picture was taken a couple of years ago but this is a safe place for a kid to learn.

10. Catch a fish.

I had an interesting conversation with my cousin the other day about our upbringing versus the ideas both of us have about life. We are both highly technical and eager learners plus we don’t really know our limits. They sound like great attributes until we realize we really don’t have a clue what we are doing and it became especially depressing when it dawned on us that we would likely die if we didn’t have electricity. As I continued to reflect, I was determined to use the knowledge I so painstakingly acquired through not knowing what I was doing to teach the boy how to survive in the wild! I am aware that this may sound like what Homer Simpson or Peter Griffin might attempt but I swear that I know some stuff! This summer, we will try our luck at fishing at a local lake. Did you know that many of the municipal lakes are stocked with trout twice a year and you can catch them? You will need to buy a license but if you have the equipment, then you are ready to go fishing! We like Como Lake and Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam and you can find many other lakes in your area where you can do this!   

This was us last fall at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam shortly after a fish release.

Rowena’s Inn – A nearby country style getaway within 2 hours from Vancouver!

Have you ever thought about taking a country-side retreat in a luxurious manor or cozy log cottage? Occasionally, we all crave for that calming and mesmerizing getaway to that home away from home for some time to relax. This past November, we took advantage of some awesome sunny weather and did just that! As Realtors and full time parents, my wife and I don't have many opportunities to take the day off; especially not without the kid (and our dog for that matter). Luckily for us, we have a great support network and we were able to drop off our son for one night while we set out to recharge.

It is hard to imagine a more peaceful, magical setting which is comfortable and well-equipped for any couple to stay – Rowena’s Inn on the River in Harrison Mills offer the kind of accommodation that you only find in story books. Owned and operated by the Pretty family, the resort features an 18th century style Manor with 4 cottages spreading over a 160 acre estate that overlooks the Harrison River and offers dining, spa and golf.

Coincidentally, we were there for the same weekend as the 20th annual Fraser Valley Bald Eagle festival which was sponsored by the Pretty Estates (I know, cool name for an estate right?). As novice bird watchers (we have never been to a bird watching event before), we got to experience bird watching at an epic level as we saw up to 14 Bald Eagles soaring above us at any given time. It was estimated that between 50 - 100 of these majestic birds were in the area at that time. People came from all over to this festival! We even saw a couple with matching falcons at one of the event booths!

After our short drive over, we had dinner at the resorts own River`s Edge Restaurant, which offers fine dining with a focus on west coast cuisine and a rotating menu with the chef`s freshest ingredients. We felt like we took a step back in time as the dining room had the feel of an old western movie mixed with a great view of the surrounding nature. The friendly staff recommended their special seafood chowder, salmon flatbread and salmon and crab cakes. Saving room for dessert, we had their customer favorite, chocolate mousse. Needless to say, we were stuffed and ready to check into our cottage, which has no wifi or TV, and check out of our busy lives for the night.

We stayed in one of the cottages, situated in the middle of the Sandpiper golf course just off the signature 15th hole beside the Harrison River; the view was spectacular! These cozy little cottages are warmly decorated and are fit for 2 people. The biggest feature for us was the wood burning fireplace, where we kicked back and chatted for hours in front of the warm glow of the dancing flame atop the log. Its spacious bathroom has heated tile floors, standup shower, skylight, and a jetted tub with multiple settings and speakers. The south facing private deck offers plenty of sun and expansive views!

Being just 2 hours’ drive away from Vancouver; I highly recommend this resort to anyone looking for a short trip away from the city. After our overnight stay, we felt rejuvenated and inspired with a newfound passion for comfy log homes, burning firewood and elegant country decor. We hope to have another opportunity to visit the Pretty family at their beautiful resort!

The Curious Incident of the Dirty Dog (December 6, 2014)

Today, I walked past the dog and he was intently staring out the window. He looked like he was deep in thought (although I am sure he was just wondering where his ball went). With the cold weather and rain just settling in these past couple of weeks, I caught myself reminiscing about the warmer days of summer. Particularly about the dog. In the summer, we generally spend a lot more time walking around outside but he is limited to just a few short walks a day through the winter.


A fond memory that popped into mind was early in July, when we decided that our Dog Boke (pronounced Ball-keh), an Australian Blue Heeler, is in dire need of a bath. But just a bath is not fun for anyone so we thought it was a good opportunity to take him out for a swim and a hike. We chose Buntzen Lake in Anmore for its close proximity to our home and also for the natural beauty that surrounds it. They also have a great off-leash area for dogs and easy trails that we specifically went for.

The walk up to the dog park involves a nice short hike, which it is always refreshing to feel the breeze through the branches of the shaded path on a hot sunny day. I recall that this particular day was in the low to mid 30s as I already shed my shirt a few minutes into the hike.

The dog park was crowded this day, filled with over 20 canines and many more of their 2 legged companions. Boke saw the water and was a bit worried at first but soon he was chasing other dogs and out swimming on his own. As he is obsessed with balls, he can't help but go out and retrieve it even though he doesn't swim often. It is pretty funny to remember that he lunges up before going into the water.

Our beloved furball was having the time of his life, until his eventual bath of course. Maybe that is what he was deep in thought about too.

Sea to Sky Highway View points (August 5, 2014)

We recently had some family members visit from overseas and decided to take them to Whistler to see the Olympic venues and the lakes that are nearby the Village. We did not stay overnight as time was limited so we planned our trip carefully. The plan was to drive up in the morning and visit the Alexander Falls viewpoint, which is a quick 10 minute drive off the main highway at the entrance of Whistler very near the Olympic park.


Our next stop was Alta Lake just before the Village. We spent some time here enjoying the lake and views of the mountains and beautiful real estate that surround it. The lake was warm and filled with little fish that we were able to try to catch with our hands. The kids had a great time!
 

We decided to stop for lunch and get some rest before we went and explored the rest of Whistler Village. There are many great places to dine and you will most likely find something that suits your taste. For us, since our visitors came such a great distance to visit, we spoiled them with afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

After replenishing, we walked around and lets the kids play at the wooden playground at the Olympic Plaza. In the winter time, the Plaza also turns into an outdoor skating rink and the site of numerous outdoor concerts year round.

On our drive home, we made plans to stop at every view point we could to capture the natural beauty that our province is known world wide for. First stop was Tantalus viewpoint 10 minutes north of Squamish, which offered an impressive view of the Callaghan Valley.

Our favorite stop happened to be the last stop at Porteau Cove. If you have never heard of Porteau Cove then you must make a stop there on your next trip up to Whistler if not for the view then at least for the washrooms since there aren't very many on the way. What we liked about this stop was that it offered a beautiful view from a unique dock with elevated platforms, right on the Ocean and the variety of activities that it offered which made it a fun place to stop for a break. To the south of the dock was a camp ground, which we took note to come back for in the future as camping just off a beach sounds a bit too tempting for us.

The Sea to Sky Highway offers many other stops which we did not have time for but if you are planning your next trip to Whistler and want to make a few more stops, consider the Stawamus Chief for a hike up to the peak of Squamish or ride the new Squamish Gondola to get to the Summit for a real treat. Shannon Falls is another great Squamish stop and if you are looking to hit the links, Furry Creek golf course is an incredible golf course which offer breathtaking panoramic views from almost every hole. I hope you and your family enjoy your next trip up the Sea to Sky.