making memories in beautiful b.c.

We just returned from BC, where we enjoyed a lovely weekend with Grandmom again. Lydia joined us this time, which was great; although it means extra bickering about who gets to sit next to auntie for each and every meal and ride in the car, it is still, of course, a pleasure to spend time together.

Since we bought a membership to the Vancouver Aquarium last time we went, and also didn't get to see all the creatures, we decided to return for another visit. Saturday dawned bright and clear, and we packed a picnic and planned to spend time outdoors in the beautiful, 1000 acre Stanley Park (wherein lies the aquarium) before going inside. Grandmom was game enough to come along, but stayed in the van for our long walk along the sea-wall, as she thought it far too cold!

Josiah was so pleased to find this little fox head hiding under and overhang. As we started our walk along the sea-wall, he decided to be uncharacteristically daring and walk right on the ledge the entire way. The tide was up, and in some places a little deep, but I decided we could save him if in fact he fell, so didn't say anything and let him proceed. I was so pleased though to still be dry by the end of the first leg.

We set the Lion's Gate Bridge as our goal, and the children made it with ease. What a varied and beautiful view...

We jumped off on a dry spot under the bridge to look at the shells and rocks.

After a little less enthusiasm on the return walk (isn't it always that way?) we fetched Grandmom, coaxed her from the warm van, and enjoyed our picnic in the brisk sunshine. Then we headed over the the aquarium. I couldn't resist snapping the picture below- a "green wall" on the side of the aquarium that I am just smitten with- the sort of thing I love. I know I must never consider building one as my dear husband is completely against plants of any sort touching structures, heaven forbid growing right out of them, but isn't it a beautiful thing? I look forward to watching it fill in over the years.

Josiah was thrilled to see the octopus, which he was so upset about missing last time. It was truly amazing. I won't add anything else about the sea life as not to steal Eva's thunder if she wants to blog about it! :)

I think this looks like a sunset behind Grandmom, but it is really a crocodile habitat.

A real, lovely sunset was happening on our way home to Langley. We were all worn out from our active day. Lydia snuggled with the girls in the back seat, and Grandmom read to Josiah off and on and looked at his "bug cards" with him. They were talking about something, and she couldn't remember what something was called. Josiah looked at her with concern and said, "Grandmom, do you have Alzheimer's?" "Yeah!" Naomi chimed in from the back. "I've been wondering the same thing. You always get our names mixed up with each other! Do you?" Grandmom laughed gleefully for a good while, and then replied that, thankfully, no; she had been doing that for a very very long time. She usually called their daddy, when he was a little boy, by saying, "Owen,Aaron,Gabe,Jason!" I told them they ought to feel grateful that their great-grandmother had such a good sense of humor.

auntie lydia's old-timer birthday surprise

Auntie Lydia has recently been creating quite a buzz around our house- the kids have realized that she is a wealth of stories. Stories are always great, but even better- these are stories are often about their dad. And to top it off, he is very naughty in most of them. Like I said- very, very popular with the kids.

So one of the stories she told, by request, goes like this... Whenever the kids would get candy, the boys would get to keep theirs to eat at will, and Lydia had to give hers up to Grandmom for safe-keeping, and Grandmom would dole it out in reasonable measure. Well of course, the boys would gobble theirs up in no time. Knowing full well that there was more candy about, but that it was little sis Lydia's, it seemed almost unattainable. Almost. With just enough craft and heartlessness, it could be theirs to savor. The ploy was this: the boys (Jason and Gabe) would lie on the floor and cry out, "Oh Lydia.. Oh Lydia I'm not feeling good! Lydia, I think I'm dying!!" They would moan and look faint. She would run to them in alarm- ready to do anything to save their lives. "Lydia!" they'd say, "Sugar would help us! Sugar would bring us back to life! Quick- go get some of your candy from Grandmom!" She would run frantically to get the remainder of her candy, and administer full doses to bring her sweet brothers back to life. This happened more than once. They even did it to get her to bring and feed them grapes. Poor, poor little sister!

Another story, one of the few that did not include cruel brothers, was about Grand-ma- Lydia's great-grandmother who lived with them at the time. Grand-ma was getting quite along in years, and, lacking a good amount of teeth, was given the vitamin / protein drink Ensure to maintain good nutrition. Ensure came in several sweet flavors, and when she would open one, well, all those sugar loving kids would want some too. So Grand-ma would crack hers, and then crack another for the kids to share. Then they would all go into her bedroom together and sit on her bed, drink Ensure, and watch WWF wrestling- her favorite.

So when Lydia told my kids this story, they just couldn't believe that she woudl try such a drink. "Ewww!" they said. "Wasn't it disgusting?!" "NO!" she cried. "It is a fabulous little drink! I loved vanilla best!"

For the next few days the kids walked around repeating the phrase..."a fabulous little drink!" They were so curious. Then we hit upon an idea...

It all came together on Thursday night when we had Lydia over for a little birthday dinner. She was greeted at the door, then the kids bombarded her with little packages they wrapped- many colored beaded items they had made especially for her, and lots of fancy pictures. (Naomi decided to spell her name "Li-T-u") Then they took her hand and led her to the table. Josiah covered her eyes from behind her chair, and Naomi and Eva ran to the kitchen. "Don't look don't look!" Eva returned with a crystal goblet, and Naomi with a flowered tray, carrying the surprise. "For your pleasure," Naomi said, "A fabulous little drink." Eva open the lid and carefully poured- nearly spilling everywhere as she was shaking with laughter. "Don't worry" I told her. "I wouldn't let them give you anything terrible!" She was trusting enough (even with those bad big brothers!) that she willingly took a sip. "What is it what is it!?" the kids yelled excitedly. "It's Ensure!" she said. "Vanilla!" They screamed with glee. They thought it was the most amazing trick ever played.

Of course, Lydia offered the drink to all. The girls refused to try it, but knowing it was called "Vanilla" (or Banilla, as he says) Bubby was game...


And guess what... he's Ensure's newest fan. About 80 years early for him; but who needs those pesky old meals like dinner, he thinks, with such a potion as this?!

Mmmmmm...... A fabulous little drink!