A necklace for the neck less

Yesterday morning, we got up bright and early to watch free movies courtesy of Cineplex Community Day. The movie tickets were free, and food at the concession was all 2$ each (all proceeds going to the Free the Children charity. They also sold bracelets for 2$, so I got one. Now I don't normally wear jewelry, but I wanted to support the charity (after all, the movie tickets were free!). I decided to let Kiwi wear it as a necklace. She hates it of course, but please do not be concerned - I gave her two treats after the picture and no hedgehogs were harmed for the photo.

Halloween convention

So today was Vancouver's (first annual?) Halloween Convention at the Sheraton Wall Centre in downtown. I bought us a couple of tickets on Groupon (2 tickets for 20$) - normally the tickets are 30$ each, so we saved a lot of money... But I think we are going to skip buying tickets next year, and just participate in the festivities outside! The indoor event itself was not too exciting, it was a lot of booths set up selling stuff. I don't know about you, but when you are already IN costume, why the heck would you need to buy MORE wigs, or masks, etc? And, since you are in costume, that likely means that you don't want to hold anything that you just recently purchased! But I digress, so, let's just recap the days events in pictures:

We left home around 10:45am and traffic in downtown was BRUTAL since the event also included a parade, so lots of road closures. We made it to the Sheraton and just parked at the hotel (parking was 17$ for 3.5 hours!!!) and hit up the indoor event. We hung out for like 5 minutes. Everyone wanted a pic with Bobby. The room was pretty small so we decided to go outside and check out the parade.

Bobby was a huuuuuge hit. Everyone wanted a picture of him, and with him! So everywhere we went we were our own party.

Spiderman and Dr. Octopus meet again.. This time in the heart of downtown (Nelson and Howe)

The parade went from east on Davie, then north on Granville, then west on Smithe and south on Howe. I think it circled a few times over a few hours. We hung out on Howe first (a little less busy), then ventured out to Granville (super busy!!)

Everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE, we went, someone wanted a picture. Each block we had to stop for at least 15-20 minutes while everyone got a picture of/with Bobby.

Super cute Spiderman and Superman!!!

After the parade was finished, we walked over to the Starbucks on Davie and Seymour. Bobby got hounded by more people wanting pics. I snuck inside and got us some coffee and food. Starbucks was packed so we sat at the park just next to it to eat and relax and wait for my brother to come meet us.

Caffeine break!

Even at the park, people were coming up to Bobby for pictures. One kid stopped by to chat. He and Bobby had a conversation for about 5 minutes. It was really cute, because after a while, the kid was like "I'm Sebastian by the way". Lol, so grown up and proper with the introduction. After a while, the kid left to go play, but on his way home, he stopped by again and said "Bye Bobby!!" Haha, so adorable. 

So my brother and his gf and the dog came to meet up with us. We walked on the Seawall:

It was actually really warm today (20 degrees) so we were starting to get hot from all the walking (especially Bobby since he had to carry an extra 4 arms and wear a heavy coat and gloves and a hat!). We we went back to the Sheraton Wall Centre and the party was going strong since the parade was over. So again, Bobby got hounded by EVERYONE:

Breaking news: newspaper is Dr. Octopus's kryptonite?

So Bobby was really friendly, always stopping to take pictures with everyone. Especially little kids in cute costumes. 

Not pictured: little kids in cute costumes

There was only one other person Bobby wanted to take a picture with, the Piranha from Super Mario. However, every time we tried to get to this guy, Bobby would get swarmed for pictures.... However, after 30 minutes or so, Mr. Piranha man made it to us because he wanted a picture with Bobby!! 

Dr. O in front of the fountain

Creepy witch lady

After a very long time of pictures, we sat down at the bar for drinks. Even Dr. O gets thirsty after all!

Mandatory elevator picture

The costume Bobby-less

All in all, we had a great time today! The kids were so adorable! And lots of people put lots of effort into their costumes!

Thanksgiving 2014

We had our family Thanksgiving at our apartment today. No turkey this year. Bobby made his specialty (pizza) and I made mine (pulled pork). My parents and my cousin and his family all brought other dishes and dessert. We managed to squeeze in 8 people around our table meant for 6, and we dined and laughed and dined some more. 

My super easy pulled pork recipe:

Pork shoulder, seasoning salt and barbecue sauce. Placed in the crock pot and cook on low until tender (usually 8 hours for a 1.5kg+ shoulder). 

Since smelly Kiwi was expecting company... I gave her a bath today. After her bath she was so pissed off she sat like this for a while. Normally, she runs home when given the chance, but not earlier today!!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with their family and friends. Only one more day off until back to work ;)

Adventures in babysitting

So we babysat our friends' toddler on Wednesday night... and I finally have a moment to blog about it today! Bobby and I both took the day off today, since Monday is (Canadian) Thanksgiving. Woo hoo 4 day weekend :)

Okay, so the adventure in babysitting started on Monday. We went to the daycare to "learn the ropes". Picking up toddlers is a process! First, you check their diaper changing chart (mostly to see if your kid has pooped - if they did that likely means no smelly diapers at night!), then you pick up their lunch bag and water bottle... and then you get the kid... and change them out of their indoor shoes and into their outdoor shoes... Then you say goodbye and leave. After all of that, I was already pooped! Just kidding.. Also, we had one of Luca's car seats installed in my car so that we could pick him up.

So on Wednesday, we went to get Luca around 5:30pm (that's what time his dad normally picks him up). Luca knows us since we've hung out many many times (and he LOVES uncle bobby), which made it easier since he recognized us and willingly went home with us (also, I'm sure his parents reminded him many times that we were picking him up). It was cute because as soon as he saw us, he started to take his indoor shoes off

After we left daycare, we went to go pick up pizza for dinner. I bought myself this cuuute hedgehog bowl (which is for kids) which Luca ate out of. Bobby cut up Luca's pizza and we ate, and ate and ate... Then Luca fed Kiwi... Then we coloured... Then we watched Leap Frog on Netflix... Then we played with all the stuffed animals in the house... Then we coloured some more... Then we played catch with the hedgehog that Luca's mom knit for me... And then we repeated all of the above.

Luca's parents came around 10... so Luca was exhausted... And so was Bobby since he had been up late the night before at school. But seriously, we had a blast with Luca. He's so awesome to be around because his personality is adorable!! And he's so smart!! He is the smartest almost 2 year old I know!

Thank you Luca for pooping at daycare! Also, we accidentally stole another kid's sweater from daycare. Bobby thought it was Luca's sweater so we put it on him before we left. When his parents came home, they were like, yea... that's not his.. But they were going to take it back the next day.. aaand, at least we got the right kid, right?? ;)

Anyway, so today we both have the day off. I went shopping for Thanksgiving dinner (we are hosting my family dinner at our place)... Bobby is working on his costume... and we are watching a movie tonight. 

Happy Friday! :)

Presents for an almost two year old

Last night, we went to Target to buy Luca his birthday presents. We went to to Toys R Us on Friday and we couldn't find anything that we liked (shocking I know). His parents approved hot wheels race tracks for his many cars and for whatever reason, Toys R Us had a terrible selection!!

 

So we settled on the big race track with two loops... And decided to buy a smaller third loop that can be added to the track. Hope Luca likes it! If anything, it will be a hit with his dad ;)

This morning, I spent some time making Luca a card as well (Bobbys been working on his Halloween costume and his creativity has left me inspired):

Supplies are out and ready to be assembled !!

Final product. 

Can't wait to give Luca his presents :)

Kiwi and the rock

Kiwi has an assortment of rocks that Bobby has collected for her through our travels (there's even a rock from when we went caving). Bobby used to always get kiwi a rock when we went on vacation.. But now she has so many so he stopped. Anyway, kiwi LOVES flipping rocks over with her snout.

Today, I found kiwi spooning one of her rocks. So cute!!!

Confessions from a Raincouverite

Sometimes when it is pouring rain, I am secretly delighted because I can bust out my "rain check?" umbrella... And my riding boots... Or my wellies :)

 

Kiwi's Blog

Tonight, the nice man who buys me all my food, shavings and toys... And generally leaves me alone, is coming home from his work trip. Maybe he can save me from the crazy hedgehog lady!! I mean sure the nice man gets all up in my face but it's only because the crazy hedgehog lady always takes me out of my cage when I am in my deepest slumber ALL THE TIME. I don't think she understands that I need at least 22.5 hours of sleep per day!! 

She's been leaving me alone the past few days but I know my luck is bound to run out soon....

The nice man has been gone for a few days now and we miss him!!!

Until next time,
Kiwi-Keys Chaos

Manic Monday

So on Sunday, I had a really late lunch (3pm) that by the time dinner time rolled around, I wasn't hungry. 

Well, I woke up on Monday with a terrible headache. I had 4 tylenol at work and it didn't help. I had granola bars and lunch throughout the day and I was still starving/nauseous. I met up with Najin and Amanda for sushi after work and I had a giant dinner (the dinner combo) and I started to feel normal again... but it was so hot at the restaurant I seriously thought I was going to throw up!! After dinner, we stopped by Najin's new place - SO AWESOME!! They moved into their brand new apartment a few weeks ago and everything is so brand new sparkly clean! Can't wait to see it again after they've settled in/unpacked/nested.

I got home around 8pm last night, took two more tylenol... played with my Kiwi-Keys and still couldn't shake the "omg I need to throw up" feeling. NOTE: TMI TIME! So I threw up. /TMI TIME. I felt a little bit better but ultimately just decided to pass out since keeping my eyes open/having light anywhere near me was making me feel sick.

I woke up a few times through the night - one time I heard Kiwi running and her wheel was rubbing up against something (she probably shoved a rock underneath it... again!!) but I was too lazy to get up to quiet her down.

Anyway, so I woke up bright and early today. I decided to treat myself to a Starbucks breakfast. No more skipping meals for me.. EVER

Side note: I'm sure I've wrote previous blogs about getting migraines due to skipping meals... Guess I will never learn!! :P

Last weekend of summer

After the rain, rain and more rain on Thursday and Friday, this weekend did not disappoint in the weather department! It was 25+ degrees on both days! Woo hoo!!

Yesterday: 

I went to PiYo. I missed last week's class because we were at Whistler... so my legs are a little bit sore today... Ugh!!

After PiYo, we went to Kia in Vancouver to get the car serviced (first oil change, etc). Kia Vancouver's service was beyond TERRIBLE. I don't want to get into it, but let's just say, management will be receiving a strongly worded email from me very, very soon!

After wasting over two hours at Kia, we finally escaped and we headed to a Halloween store on Broadway to get ideas on what we want to be for Halloween... then we went to Legacy so that Bobby could stock up on craft beer.. then we went home to have a lovely steak dinner :)

I took this pic of Kiwi napping yesterday. Such a little cutie!!

Today:

Bobby left for a work trip. I pretty much lounged all day. I cleaned up the apartment, watched Gossip Girl (I watched a season or so when it first came out and I casually watch it on Netflix now and then) and finally painted my nails my favorite dark colour ever! I try not to paint my nails this colour in the summer because I feel like summer is more the bright coral and neon colours... so this colour is perfect for tomorrow, the first day of fall!

OPI's Linkin Park After Dark

This colour is so aweome! It looks like it's black but it's actually a very dark purple. 

Okay I can hear Kiwi awake and scratching in her cage. I must go play with her now ;)

Caffe Citadella Fridays

The best part about getting coffee from Caffe Citadella is that I get to eat chocolate for breakfast.

Note: no picture of chocolate included because it had already been consumed.

Whistler weekend...

We went to Whistler over the weekend for Whistler Craft beer festival. Well, technically, the guys went for the beer, Ja and I hung around in the village with Luca. Bobby and I left around 9am on Saturday (quick pit stop at Caffe Divano for a couple of Americanos... and then at Squamish for a pee break), and we were at our hotel just after 11am. We weren't able to check in yet, so we wandered around the village and had lunch. Luckily, we left pretty early because Brad-Ja-Luca ended up getting stuck in traffic (there were a couple of accidents along the way later on in the afternoon) so we were lucky and we missed these completely.

After Bobby and Brad went into the festival, Ja and I took Luca to the park. Fun times, "riding the boat" and "climbing a tree house". Then we went for ice cream (mmm ice cream!). Side note: I think I am becoming lactose intolerant... so dairy makes my stomach hurt. I've stopped eating cereal and drinking lattes due to discomfort. But let's face it, if there is ever a time I am going to suffer for dairy, it will only be because I ate ice cream!! :) Anyway, after ice cream, we wandered the village aimlessly. Luca had to burn off the sugar he ate. He led us in circles around the village (we stopped to look at flowers, and fire truck and a "waterfall"). Luca was adorable, right after seeing the waterfall, he would randomly stop in front of people sitting down to let them know how he saw the waterfall. Cuteness overload! After wandering aimlessly, we went back to my hotel room (they hadn't checked in yet) to relax and get some a/c. The beer festival finished soon after that so we went for dinner. The guys got a 5$ off coupon at select restaurants at the festival... and unfortunately, we ended up at the GLC. They seriously have the worst food in Whistler. I have only been a total of two times, and both times I have been let down. All the other restaurants were busy so we had no choice... We got to the GLC and they weren't busy at all... which just goes to show how terrible their food is.

Anyway, so that was Saturday. Sunday, I felt like crap (women issues). Bobby and I had a quick breakfast at Starbucks and then we went home. At the Starbucks closest to the gondolas, I FINALLY found these glass tumblers (all the stores in Vancouver I have been into only sell the plastic ones). So I bought two, one for me and one for Bobby, who did not want to be left out without one.

It took less than two hours to get home because there was no traffic. I really wanted to get home early to clean up/grocery shop/do boring adult things in preparation for the work week to come. 

We left the village around 9:20 and got home around 11am. I went to check up on Kiwi and she was cold and border line hibernating. Little miss not so fatty anymore has really started to slim down ever since no longer having to share her wheel. Anyway, she's back to normal now...

Happy Monday!!

Family portrait

Kiwi has never looked happier :)

Insomnia

Even though I was tired from hiking... I could not fall asleep last night. I don't know why. It was really hot and humid so I had the fan going.. around 1am, I was so delirious from lack of sleep that I wasn't even sure if I hadn't fallen asleep at all or if I was just having really restless sleep. I have been reading A Game of Thrones and watching Real Housewives of NJ and I just could not stop thinking about those two things while trying really hard to fall asleep. Note to self: don't read about the barbaric customs of Westeros or watch vapid women live their fake lives before trying to sleep. It's going to be a tea plus two coffee kind of day.

Face masking

I've been really into face (and hair masks) lately... And after my sweat filled weekend (PiYo yesterday and a hike today which involved a potential black bear sitting by other hikers), a face mask is much deserved tonight ;)

PiYo yesterday was awesome. I've finally gotten to a point where I can really push myself in PiYo and not hurt for two days after. Woohoo! Progress! I plan on signing up for more PiYo classes on Mondays as well.

The hike today was also fun. We did a hike that was a 5 minute drive from our house and it was really easy (not too much incline). It even had an awesome waterfall at the end. It took us 50 minutes to get to the water fall (the hike was estimated to be two hours round trip by Parks Canada). Anyway.. so on the way back, we're just casually strolling back to the car.. saying hello to the lovely people and their dogs walking by us... About 15 minutes from the waterfall, a family of a three stops to say "be careful. we saw a black bear about 10-15 minutes that way". I immediately panic lol. Bobby pulls out his bear spray and hunting knife (just in case!) and we start speed walking back to the car. Well, I start speed walking back - Bobby remains calm. Thankfully, we didn't run into the spotted bear (or any bear!!) but we made it back to the car in 40 minutes! And it was a longgggg trail back. Happy to report we were not eaten by bears today :)

Tu(tu) and a half!!!

Kiwi is two and a half today!! I forced her to wear one of her many tutus for this pic and she was not too happy about it so I gave her a treat to make her chill out.

Kit Kat taste test

Firstly, Happy September! The early mornings and late nights are definitely a lot colder - its dropping down to 9 degrees overnight - fall is near.

Secondly, my phone camera lens is all scratched up (oops, second phone I've done this to) so all future photos will not be the best...

Anyway, so at working this morning, I'm sitting at my desk, minding my own business, when a coworker comes by and says "Did you see how someone left this in the kitchen?". I look up and she's holding a bowl FULL of Kit Kats! We're talking full sized Kit Kats here (not the tiny Halloween sized ones). They were all peanut butter and hazelnut. Now, I don't like peanut butter, so I grabbed a hazelnut. And because I am so awesome, I asked Bobby if he wanted one too, so I ended up grabbing a peanut butter one as well...

So anyway, we did a taste test when I got home (dessert before dinner - we are adults so we are allowed!). The hazelnut one was AMAZING!!! The peanut butter was only okay

A geocache for Chaos

We finally had a chance to put together Chaos' geocache!!

Last weekend, we hit up Superstore with Brad-Ja-Luca, and I found this cuuuute pink water bottle for 3$. Its easy to use water bottles for geocaches because they are water proof, and because you can easily tie them securely into place.

So here is Kiwi-Keys next to her mama's geocache, which includes: The little description thing (which I laminated! ;) ), the log book, a pencil, and a few items which people can take/trade their own items for.

We went for a lovely walk around Lafarge Lake. My legs are KILLING me from PiYo yesterday. Seriously, my quads and glutes are destroyed. Anyway, so Bobby had the pleasure of hiding the geocache.

Can't wait to sign this up as an official geocache... and to visit again in a few months or so :)

We miss you Cakey-Cakes!!

Lady Kiwi of Winterfell

I've been reading Game of Thrones - I bought the book set for 30$ from Chapters over the summer and am finally starting to read it. It's crazy how many things I've forgotten from season one already (like how the Hound was Joffrey's bodyguard).. I was really into season one of the TV series so it's nice to read about it. Also, it's so much easier to read the books AFTER having watched the show because it's less confusing (I remember the events that happened) and I know who most of the characters are (the less prominent maesters and sers still confuse me ;))

Anyway, so there I was, reading the book from Ned Stark's (may he rest in peace!!) point of view, and Robert Baratheon (may he also rest in peace!) was asking him about Jon Snow's mom. Ned was pissed because he doesn't like to talk about her... so Robert said that Ned was "so prickly [he] ought to take the hedgehog as [his] sigil". 

HEDGEHOG! I am the crazy hedgehog lady! And now, Kiwi's new nickname is Lady Kiwi of Winterfell...

Oh who are we kidding? She's more like a wench of winterfell... with her wonky eye (she looks drunk!) and her inability to not expose herself ;)

To Die For

Finally tried "To Die For" Banana bread. I picked it up this morning at Caffe Citadella. For those none Lower Mainlanders, To Die For is a local organic banana bread/lemon loaf baking company. I know I am not describing it as best as I could... Anyway, its been kind of a big deal around town, and since I like to make banana bread at home myself (Click here for my latest banana bread recipe!), I've been wanting to try it. Only few stores and cafes have the pleasure of selling this wonderful banana bread... luckily, Caffe Citadella (right by my work) sells it as well. Anyway, so I picked it up today and finally tried it... 

My review: Its good - nice and moist. Its a little bit too moist for me. The banana chunks are giant and wet/mushy. It was a little bit overwhelming for me. Another downside: the price. 3$ for a slice! I get that its organic, but 3$ a slice is cray!! 

Anyway, glad I tried it... but prob won't be picking this up again.