SUMMER 2019 Recap, and Max is in Grade 2!

I know, it's been a while.
Posting for memories as usual- honestly, i had a hard time remembering the password for this site!

(picnics! charcuterie and watermelon, who can say no?)

(sea bus)

(Shipyards lookout)

(Super Dogs!)

(Lee's donuts- the BEST!)

We had an amazing Summer this year! my new take on long breaks like this is instead of writing down a bucket list of all the things we need to do, I write down all the things we've done! I feel it's more of a positive take on our time, seeing our accomplishments, and I most importantly had no pressure to do anything we didnt feel like doing.

Things we did this summer:

• Max had basketball camp for a week at the community centre (2nd year in a row)
• Max had 13 weeks of soccer with an academy- i think he realized that although he enjoys soccer, it's not something he's passionate about. Max experienced his first real soccer game
• Mikkel also did a couple of months of qSunday soccer with Little Kickers- she has also realized that not only does she not like soccer, she hates to get hot and sweaty in a structured environment lol
• we walked through the neighbourhood during the flying ants annual mating season (july 9), it was disgusting yet enriching
• our strata pool opened and the kids spent many hours cooling off
• we spent Canada Day at a low key outdoor party where the kids played games and won prizes with friends
• playdates with classmates and reunions with old friends
• we watched Aladdin and Lion King at the cinema- Mikkel's 1st and 2nd time watching a movie
• we were mall rats at Metrotown and would randomly go there in the late evening as it was so accessible
• skateboarding to far places for Max
• Trout Lake, Concord Park,  Science World Park, Norquay Park
• Playland and PNE food, games, and attractions
• we decorated cookies at Metrotown centre court
• we spent random yet lengthy times at the dollar-store
• picnics and music at the parks
• Max drove his RC car from our house to the skytrain station and learned to "drive"
• kids both were able to play at the ballet at IKEA (potty trained!)
• shopping at McArthur Glen
• sushi dates
• the kids and I stayed most of August at our private airBNB (my parents' house)- whom were away for a month
• 4-5 hour trail hikes and picnics at Central Park
• indoor swimming at my parents' pool
• staying up late and reading scary stories
• bronze medal at Jiujitsu competition
• puddle jumping and endless skytrain rides
• Shipyards waterpark and Seabus rides
• cake for dinner just because
• Max learned how to yo-yo
• wedding of one of my BFF's and the kids' first experience with a paid babysitter
• bench warming at Max's first Vancouver Whitecaps game

What i'm actually very proud of was stepping in front of the camera and had some pictures of myself with the kids...finally! 

we loved Summer 2019! it ended way too fast!

(Central Park hikes)

(PNE)

(more Central Park)

(wedding season)

(Whitecaps FC)

(Little Kickers)

(watching Aladdin at the Cinema)

(Shipyards)

(Soccer game at Burnaby Park)

Back to reality; Max is now in grade 2! Max is in a split grade 2/3 class and not one of his original squad of boys are in his class. He says it's ok though as he can focus without being interrupted for social reasons- good one Max! No major issues this transition; the usual tantrums related to anxiety, change in sleep schedules, back to routine of old sports...things im mindful of and also trying to stay mindful of despite the constant challenges! (ahem, Max!)

(last day of grade 1 ^^^)

(first official day of grade 2 vvv)

Max at GRADE 2:

• favourite foods: california rolls, pho, all fruits, waffles, chinese rice crackers, seaweed
• favourite color: blue
• favourite activities: trading pokemon cards, kicking the ball around, free climbing play, listening to music on portable speaker, spending money earned
• 3 favourite things: Pokemon cards, Youtube Kids, Mega Man on SNES
• best friends: Michael and James 
• teeth status: 6 permanent, 1 loose, 2 cavities