Dave got off work earlier than usual, so we packed up and headed back to the beach, getting ice cream on the way. The kids loved it of course. Kaleb shocked the girls at the ice cream shop by ordering rum flavored ice cream. They gave him a taste, expecting him to not like it, and he loved it! Alana got chocolate, as you can see.

Jaylee got bubblegum. Clearly I should have taken her dress off before this adventure started. she has a very blue eyebrow, too.

Building a sand castle with daddy. It was a little windy and cold, but the kids were thrilled to play with daddy.

Finished castle, with Jaylee in the middle

After the big castle that daddy built last night, the kids wanted to do another big one today. It turned out great!

Cultural District

Yesterday the weather wasn't very good, so I had to get a little more creative to keep the kids occupied. We walked the other direction on the waterfront into the Cultural District and Wetlands Preserve. I had gone on a run through there, and hoped the paths and waterfalls would keep the kids distracted from the fact that it was too cold to play at the beach.

Jaylee hanging out over a waterfall. The kids all did their best to fall in the water in some way, and to get around the various fences to explore closer. Thankfully, this was not overly successful, but it did keep me on my toes!

There were lots of beautiful grassy hills and flower beds. The kids promptly rolled down the first hill we came to. Jaylee was rolling too, just a little behind. Then she would get up, "wait guys! wait!" Run to catch up, and start rolling again.

At the dolphin fountain, their favourite of the art that was around. (my favourite too) I'm spelling like a Canadian now, eh? Jaylee desperately wanted to reach the runoff from the fountain.

Kelowna is such a beautiful city. It was fun to get to explore something besides the beach and playground. Of course, tugging the wagon is getting tiring, so we aren't going too far from our hotel. I am thankful for a hotel that is in such a great location. It has made things much easier for me when Dave has the car.

Sand Castles

Jaylee going down the big kid slide. She had a few parents offer to help her climb the steep ladder to get up. Her response, "I got it."

Alana was being a goof-ball and striking a silly pose while we were working on the sand castle

They loved watching it fill with water when the waves would come in. (from boat wakes)

"Ta DA! Mama! Take a picture of ME!"

Kaleb and Alana were filling in and squishing the first sand castle and river we built. And Jaylee's head is in the bucket of sand and water. No idea why. Needless to say, she needs a bath.

Kaleb's castle, a replica of the one Alana built.

Alana's castle, including a bridge, flags on the tops, (feathers), and a rainbow, (bucket handle)

The kids have started making friends when we go to the beach. Kaleb met a few boys, and they were taking turns burying each other in the sand. Kaleb was loving it until...

His friend dumped a big bucket of water on his head. Kaleb started screaming like a banshee immediately freaking out because he was stuck. His friend was concerned and confused until I explained that Kaleb is afraid of water on his head.

Jaylee borrowed someones squirt gun and was having fun chasing me.

Her other great entertainment for the day: a bucket full of water, and a ball. She played with that for an hour.

The best part about playing hard at the beach...

Great, long naps!

And after they wake up, they want to go right back to the beach and park. Jaylee on the teeter totter.

Alana has gotten great at climbing underneath the big rainbow. Of course, when I go to take a picture, she falls.

Jaylee insisted she could pull the wagon without my help. It was slow going.

Kale and Alana on the teeter totter. They were having a great time until Kale jumped off and let Alana fall. She got over it quickly though.

I told the kids we could head to the beach when we were done at the park. This is Alana running for the beach, stripping on the way. Her dress is about 20 feet behind her.

By the time I got there, she was taking off her panties too. We had to have a little talk about modesty and how we don't change our clothes on the beach, or strip running across the park. It was really funny though.

Back to the water park. Alana was a little more willing to do it this time. She got Kaleb really good with the squirt gun, which made her happy.

More Kelowna

Ogopogo the Sea Serpent

Kale riding the zip line at the park. Last year, he wouldn't do it. He is quite proud of himself for being brave enough now.

Alana climbing, of course. And showing off no hands.

Jaylee wants to do everything the big kids do. Even more scary, she can. She made it all the way up the rainbow without help. In fact, she got mad at me when I tried to help her.

Kelowna Day 1

We are in Kelowna BC with Dave for work. So, he is working, and the kids and I are having a vacation. Well, as we all know, staying in a hotel with three kids isn't so much a vacation for a mom, but it is an adventure at the very least!


It was a little bit cool this morning, so we started the day at the mall. First of all, to get me a coffee. I got up at 5am to get in a run before Dave went to work, which was awesome! Running along the water was great. However, it did make for a tired mama by 9am. We played there for a while, then went to the waterfront. Jaylee was quite impressed with the water park, but kept her distance. I don't expect that to last long.

Kale, however, remembered it from last year and knew just where to go. This year, he decided the waterslide was great! The girls didn't try it.

After the water park, we headed to the beach. Alana had been very fussy up to this point, but perked right up at the beach. The weather ended up being perfect, only about 75 so not too hot.

"Mama, mama, look what I built! Look what I built!"

In reality, I built the sandcastle, and she would either help, or smash it. Either way we had a lot of fun. Jaylee loves to play in the sand and it is funny how bossy she is. "Mama use my shovel. Not like that! Put it in my bucket. The purple one"

Alana and Kaleb are both getting so brave in the water! The had a blast jumping the "waves" made by the big boats going by in the lake. Kale saw a parasail and said "Mom I want to do that!"

"Oh really?" I asked him

"Well, maybe you should do it and we can wave from the beach"

Sounds like a good plan to me!

4th of July

We spent the 4th of July up in Ellensburg. I had a 5K race that morning, so we just planned on playing afterwards. The race went okay. I didn't have a great day, but came out with a mostly respectable 25:27. (7:48 mile average) I was annoyed because I have done a 5k in training in 22:30. Oh well. After the race, they had kid races. Kale decided to run last minute, so he didn't have a bib number, but they let him run anyways. Alana ran too, but stopped after about 15 feet and just walked with me. Kaleb loved it up until 5 feet before the finish line when he realized he wasn't going to win. Then he started crying and stopped running. Daddy had to give him a little pep talk about being a good sport.

After that, we headed to the lake to play. The kids were excited to play at the "beach" although there really wasn't much of a beach. Kaleb and Alana are both getting brave in the water, and went in up to their armpits all by themselves. Jaylee mostly made a big mess in the sand.

Kale, being the shy kid he is, asked to borrow someone elses tube, so the kids got to play in that for a while.

I was spinning them in circles. they loved it!

After the lake, we went and had naps at Grampa and Mimi's house. We didn't stay up for fireworks this year, which was okay. The day was full of fun anyways!

Jaylee Turns 2!

Jaylee's Birthday was July 1. We started the day with the traditional chocolate birthday donut. Obviously, she enjoyed that a great deal.

We went swimming after lunch at the country club, which was a lot of fun. The kids are getting much more brave in the water. Jaylee likes to hold on to my hands and swing through the water like she is water skiing. Very funny.

We had her favorite dinner of homemade macaroni and cheese, and Grammy and Uncle Jay came over to party with us. Even more importantly, Daddy made it home from Canada in time for dinner.

After dinner, it was present time! She was so excited about her presents, and didn't need much help to open them. Kaleb and Alana kept trying to help, and she refused with a loud, "No mine!" Yep, she's two.

Each present she opened she exclaimed "My book! My backpack! My dress!" and then moved on to whatever was next. I don't remember the other kids being so into the presents at 2.

"My puppy! Hi Puppy! Your mine!"

Jaylee decided on a Tinkerbell theme. I was all prepared for Elmo, and had the cake planned out for that, but when we got to the store to get the plates, she was all about Tinkerbell. So I came up with a last minute plan for the cake. It turned out very cute. Her eyes were huge when she saw it.

Singing happy birthday, and using the noise maker

Pretty Tinkerbell Tiara

The favorite new toy-a Dora playhouse with a tunnel.

All three kids spent the rest of the evening playing in it.

A Tinkerbell lantern to have light in her playhouse

After bath time she decided to get a little more cake.