he's 8, it's official

happy birthday my beautiful boy!
we let kai choose what he wanted to do/eat today. the first item on the list was the opening of presents of course! let's just say that it was lego overload. this was followed by a decadent breakfast of dad-made scones with strawberries, cream, and chocolate. 

kai opening up his lego at at

 
kai wanted to hike today so we went up cypress mountain for a 4 hour hike - this is one that kai has done since he was a baby sitting lazily on his dad's back.  the hollyburn peak trail is the perfect escape into the wilderness.  it's a steady climb offering gorgeous views of the city below.  unavoidably we pass through meadows of blueberry bushes which the bears feast on just before hibernation. fortunately there were no bear sightings, perhaps the bear bell worked!

       

 

 

arrived at the peak

view of the lions, a strenuous and long hike

 

when we returned we had more decadence, a mini cake from thomas haas the chocolatier!  then kai and his dad got to the business of putting together the new at at lego.  

 

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update: the result of the lego building 98% kai built/2% dad assisted

the day ended with a delicious dinner at hy's steakhouse, one of the places kai and his dad will treat themselves to for a boy's night out date.

cheers to beautiful kai

           

as a fellow hiker on the trail passed us by, he said , "your son is a happy little guy".  kai was up ahead of us hiking, singing, and humming.  he had "an awesome day"!  we all did.  thank you kai for organizing such a lovely day.

weekend pics

this weekend we did alot of walking! 

on saturday we met up with our wonderful friends, darrin, alexia, and baby kara, at granville island for some breakfast - we picked up bread, cured meats, cheese and had ourselves a yummy breakfast. we then walked some of the seawall while kara slept.  i can't believe kara is looking like a little girl already and she isn't quite one yet.  don't you love those eyes of hers! 

for dinner the three of us dined at go fish.  this is go fish's second location, with an actually roof for those rainy days, couldn't be happier.  it's first location is a shack located right by the water, no indoor space.  you can't get fresher fish then this, right from the fisherman's boats which reside just a few feet away.  the lines at the shack can be ridiculously long, especially on the weekends.  no line ups to be had at the restaurant, which is tiny and the food is gorgeous.  i loved the fishermen chandeliers - i will take photos of the bricks and mortar location next time because there will definitely be a next time!

on sunday, after some patio clean up, my boys and i went for another walk, this time into kitsilano.  we shopped but we didn't buy anything but not for lack of trying!  we then headed down to kitsilano beach for a walk along the water.  kai had some fun at the new playground before we continued to meander towards home.  we also stopped for a drinkie drink - a cold beer and bellini hit the spot perfectly on a sunny day of being on our feet for 4.5 hours!

i love this photo of two friends chatting

we fine dined at home tonight.  stefan made the most yummiest of meals: pured peas, halibut, and handmade potato gnocchi!

kai helping stefan knead the gnocchi dough

once the soon to be birthday boy was fast asleep we ended the weekend with blowing up balloons and wrapping gifts.

party time, kai time

my little guy is turning 8 in a few days.  i know i am supposed to be excited for that (and of course i am) but i love where he is right now.  i love him small but i know it's unrealistic to assume he'll remain small so instead i revel in him, enjoy my time with him and to the things we will do together. we had a great summer this past month on vancouver island, the okanagan, and toronto.  we have seen lots of family.  but this past week, it's been just the two of us playing soccer, making crafts, bike riding, going to the pool, visiting science world, and hanging out.  i love these times that i get him all to myself.

kai's sense of humor is shining through, he makes us laugh alot. he has an awesome imagination and comes up with the craziest stories that he strings together on the spot. he fully engages in play, putting on costumes to play a part. i love that he is silly. 

i have to admit, kai is stubborn (like his mama) and wants an explanation for anything he is asked to do, "why do you boss me around?" he asks. i secretly love it when he challenges me, i can't help but hide a smile. however, it can be frustrating. he is certainly becoming more and more independent.

kai can also be loving.  i love it when he spontaneously strokes my face or hair while we are chatting at the dining room table or snuggling on the sofa,  wherever we may be.  it's such a beautiful act.  i cherish bedtime, after we have read, when we spend some minutes chatting about anything and everything.  i love that he takes an interest in shopping, he will point things out that he thinks i may like (shoes, jewellery, clothing).

kai's favourite books and movies:
*curious george (still), the giggles this show induces from him are contagious 
* scooby-doo
* ice age movies, he can watch these a gazillion times without ever being bored
* harry potter (finally), reads them with his dad
* the book series from how to train your dragon
* watching top gear with his dad

kai's favourite music (please don't judge):
* godsmack, metallic, and perfect circle
* he also likes bach and abba (thankfully!)
* he does an awesome beat box
* making up songs about whatever is happening in the moment

kai's favourite activities:
* biking, he has moved up to gears this year and loves showing off his new bike
* building forts with the sofa cushions and blankets (i love that he puts everything back as perfectly as he can)
* boy's night out with his dad to eat steak or pork belly, a ritual that stefan started before kai could walk or eat steak!
* climbing, anything (i don't fret anymore i think circus school has helped me with that)
* skiing, when ski season is done he eagerly awaits the next

kai's all time favourites (this list hasn't changed much over the years):
*lego and cars, he owns too many hot wheels
* dark chocolate (when his aunt gave him a kinder egg, he told his dad that he received cheap chocolate but ate it all the same)
* being tickled, morning time is reserved for play wrestling which always ends up in a tickle-fest
* his cats, my heart melts when he shows tenderness towards them
* the colour blue but he doesn't dismiss 'girlie' colours and admits to liking pink 

later in the week kai will have fun at his party, invites went out today.  he has requested macaroons, a homemade birthday cake from his dad, balloons, and a pinata.

say something nice

i couldn't stop smiling.  say something nice today, will you?

                                                        via here

and a nice note to my brother:  happy birthday sam!  i hope you have a good day and i am so glad kai and i got to spend some fun time with you during our visit out east.  eat cake, laugh, and go to a yoga class!!!