Saturday, June 27, 2015

the portland chapter

he





He enjoyed:
Op shops and book shops. I don't have a good photo of our visit to Powell's, but it deserves a HUGE mention here. It's the "largest independent used and new bookstore in the world" and it is wonderful.
A whole restaurant dedicated to Mac & Cheese!
Sidewalk chalk on the big driveway, the artwork expanding daily.
"I loooove going to the food carts because I love to play in the gravel."
His bed, full of 'friends'.
Gondola ('tram') ride with his Daddy. They also spent a morning driving over each of Portland's bridges.
Being (self-appointed) salesman at the Keens' shoe world headquarters. If his feet had been a few sizes bigger he would have had a real job testing some new shoes with the product designer that came over to have a chat.
New playgrounds.
Hanging with C&O, who he is incredibly comfortable with - cooking, drawing, strolling, learning French, playing jenga, playing memory, playing whichever imagination game was currently happening.

she



 She enjoyed:
Lots of eating out, deliciously and cheaply.
So much spacious carpet to wriggle on.
Wandering the neighbourhood streets, admiring gardens, lots of daisies...
'Friends of the Library' store - where C works.
The library kids' space, with it's huge indoor Tree of Knowledge.

we/me





We/I enjoyed:
Getting Portland haircuts.
Awesome shops - this one is a converted double-decker bus.
Food carts, just around the corner from C&O's place, on 'Division'. While we were in the neighbourhood, we tried Ingrid's Scandinavian, Thai, Hawaiian/Korean, Pizza, Burritos, Lebanese...
'Cafe au Play', a community-run kids' cafe with daily programs and performances, just a stroll from our friends' place.
The Tap Room is also around the corner. You can take your own dinner and enjoy their beer samplers.
Checking out Portland icons (which He knows well from some picture books).
Sunflowers taller than us, and many other inspiring things in the neighbourhood.
And that's the end!





Friday, June 26, 2015

the vancouver island chapter

he 







Berry picking in our friends' amazing garden in Nanaimo
Enjoying dinners on the pebbly beach
Riding bikes and searching for little crabs on the waterfront
Exploring waterfalls, balancing on rock and log bridges
Giving and retrieving treasures through the "give a little, take a little" elf's doorway found in the forest
Visiting Lucy the Seal, a local celebrity
The Children's Zoo in Victoria
Riding bikes
Beaches
Reading with friends
Exploring and feeling brave

she


Riding on 4 different types of boats!
Feeling small (but happy) at Cathedral Grove (really, really big trees)
Happily tagging along, hanging out at numerous picturesque natural spots
Playing with someone her own size (they were quite fascinated with each other)

we/me




Goats on a Roof - store/restaurant/tourist stop
Op shopping, of course
B had a ride on a trimaran
Caught a raccoon that had been bothering our friends' chickens
A week exploring Nanaimo (and beyond) with lovely friends