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.

Springtime Community Park Fun!

As Spring time quickly creeps up on us, I got to thinking about some of the fun things that we could get ready to do this year. Last year, our theme for family activities was to check out the parks that each neighboring municipality claims as their crown jewel. This is a story about another one of those trips to the park. Except it wasn't like one of those trips to the park. It was much more like an epic adventure where everyone was able to find something enjoyable to pass the time while the little ones burn through their fuel reserves. At least that was what I was promised. 

It was a crisp Spring afternoon and the air was fresh; we parked our car at the Northeast end of Bear Creek Park so that we can take a stroll through the nature trail while observing the surrounding beautiful landscape. We walked along the Garden Pathway and past the Gazebo, a popular spot on the weekend for wedding photos before the greenery ended and the fun and excitement begins. 

This expanse area also features the Mini Train and Mini Golf, Water Park and outdoor pool, Off-leash dog park, Outdoor gym with a running track and soccer field. What we came for was the awesome playground, where hundreds of kids would gather in the summers for the greatest time of their lives! 

As a guy who still feels like a kid, I was excited about all the other attractions around and couldn't wait to ditch the kid with his peers so that I could run around and explore. As I have learned through parenthood, I was not going to be doing anything that I want and this was confirmed when D came up to me and said in his sweetest voice "Do you want to play with me?" (If anyone knows another answer to this question other than "yes," please let me know!) I thought about it for about 5 seconds before I gave up and spent the next 2 hours climbing, sliding, running, pushing, spinning, and laughing with my little buddy. At some point, I lost my ability to stand and grinded to a halt half way up a jungle gym but D made like a Lemur and was hopping from one place to another and was seemingly gaining more energy! Needing help, I looked around for Saya and found her climbing on a wall at the other end of the park (Sorry no pictures, she will kill me and I happen to like living). Seeing that Saya was enjoying the park, I suggest to D that we do something with less running. He suggested riding on the spinning cone climber so that he doesn't have to run. I learned at that moment that when I talk to a 4 year old, I need to expand on all the details of my master plan; otherwise, my punishment is to spend the next 30 minutes making sure the cone climber doesn't stop spinning. 

Sensing that I was about to die and D was falling asleep from spinning for 30 minutes, Saya suggested we get going and grab some dinner. Hours of fun was had and we definitely had a memorable time. Bear Creek Park, thank you for bringing joy to so many people. You are a valuable part of the Surrey community and we will definitely come back soon. Maybe we will see you this Easter at the Easter EggHunt. 

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!

Hockey Day in Coquitlam (April 23, 2015)

On March 25, 2015, Realtors from the BNT Division of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver​ got together and spent the day playing in a hockey tournament with net proceeds going to Auntie Leah's Place benefiting kids in foster care and teen moms to achieve a brighter future. This is the 5th year that I have participated and for the 2nd year in a row, I was fortunate to be a part of the winning team, playing with some great local Realtors and having a lot of fun.

(Saluting the vending machines during the halftime break with my biggest fan)

(Doing some stretches)

There were 4 teams consisting of 14-15 players playing in a round robin tournament to determine the ranking. Each team was sponsored by an awesome and generous professional who are closely related to our industry. Special thanks go out to Spagnuolo & Company Real Estate Law Firm, Kim Matick from TD Canada Trust Mortgages, Peter Pasula from Dominion Lending Center as well as the host rink Planet Ice in Coquitlam. Teams play a minimum of 3 games with the 2 top teams competing in a do or die 4th game to determine the champion. Most of us on the winning team were dying during this 4th game anyway so it was actually more like a death match for everyone! We were 2-1 entering the 3rd period but finished strong with our tenacious forecheck, short shifts and timely goals. We scored the winning goal with less than 30 seconds left in the game to take home the hardware with a 3-2 victory over Team Planet Ice.

As mentioned earlier, the tournament was played at Planet Ice in Coquitlam, which is a 4 rink complex with a gym and physio center and a vibrant restaurant upstairs and conveniently located nearby highway 1 in the Cape Horn industrial park. There are also many drop in programs for the public, such as public skating, lessons and rink rentals. If you are needing a good ice surface and friendly staff, this rink offers that and more!

  (Our trophy)

(Team TD - Kim Matick)

Aside from the joy of playing for the winning team, the biggest thrill for myself was seeing how impressed our little guy was to see that I was on the ice and celebrating a victory like I was actually playing for his favorite team, the Vancouver Canucks! He had a hundred questions for me on the car ride home like "Did it hurt when that big guy ran into you?" "How come you didn't hit him back?" "How come you keep falling?" and so on and so on. Although I wasn't voted the MVP of the tournament, at least one little guy thought I was one and that is more than enough for me. 

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.

Local Community Centers (November 28, 2014)

Having been raised in East Vancouver, my social circle mostly still reside there. However, I have been a resident of the Burnaby/Coquitlam area for almost 20 years and I often hear remarks about my neighborhood and surrounding areas being too far and that there is nothing to do out there etc. Today, I want to share my take on life in the "boonies" for families with young children.


My home is actually in a very fortunate spot being close to many complexes that offer good programs but the one we will introduce today is Poirier Community Center in the heart of Coquitlam. This newly upgraded Community Center has it all. It has a nicely stocked library, a brand new curling and hockey rinks, swimming pool and a fully equipped gym in the Sports Complex. There are also indoor & outdoor tennis courts and an activities center, where they also offer many nice programs that enhances your child's imagination and sociability.

We are lucky to have such good instructors that love what they do and are incredibly talented in bringing out the liveliness and creativity of the kids who attend the programs. Our son is enrolled in a baking class appropriately named, Healthy Little Bakers...

 and a crafts class called Little Carpenters.

The classes are structured very well and offers an interactive learning experience using techniques in play, song and dance. On a more serious note, they also learn how to crack an egg properly or handle a hammer. The best thing of all, because it is the "boonies," is that there are lots of classes available so we are never disappointed that we weren't able to get into a program. Life out here isn't so bad.

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.