Kidding Around Vancouver Island

We doing a bit of a wander around Nanoose Bay recently and stumbled upon Beachcomber Regional Park. This gem comprises the tip of one of the peninsulas at the top end of Nanoose and while it’s small, it’s got plenty to offer, most notably a 270 degree ocean-front with beaches and rocky out-croppings (something to [...]

This August-like weather has forced us to re-think our June activities somewhat.  We’re not used to getting out sprinklers or using water parks so early in the season. Grace says she could get used to not being used to it….  I had trouble understanding that too, but the main thing is they’re having a blast. [...]

Our kids have always loved going to farmer’s markets, but now they love them even more after trying a market play date.  We met up with our friend Kate, her litle boy David and new-born Emilee at the Errington Farmers Market which we hadn’t been to in quite while. After the girls went gah-gah over [...]

That beautiful May long weekend we just had got us out for a picnic up in Qualicum Beach, which then got us thinking about some of our favourite picnic spots in Oceanside. Of course we have to start with the beaches.  At Qualicum Beach our picnic place of choice is the grassy area next to [...]

Opening night isn’t far away and Grace remains as cool as a cucumber.  We’re as nervous as… as radishes.  All we can think about is her getting up on stage and trying to remember songs, dances, where she’s supposed to be on stage, and whether her hat’s on straight.  It’s so confusing.  Thankfully, the kids [...]

This Saturday and Sunday, May 2nd and 3rd, world-class clay artist Heather Goldminc is opening up her spectacular waterfront property to bring together area artists and musicians in the spring air for the first annual Picnic in the Art. Heather’s work is collected around the world and this is a chance to see her workshop [...]

There are walks for all kinds of causes, but our kids and their friends took up a new cause on this particular walk – salamander rescue.  It all began as an early evening stroll along a country road, but we hadn’t gone far when things began to turn ugly.  “Ooooh,” came the cry from up [...]

It was such a lovely holiday Monday, we thought why not drive off and explore the phenomenon of micro-climates.  Ok, it didn’t quite go down that way, it was more like, ‘hey let’s find this cool new beach we heard about near Bowser.” So we’re motoring up the island highway past Parksville, then Qualicum Beach, [...]

One of my favourite musicals of all time – Fiddler on the Roof – is being put on at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo March 13 – 15th. It’s the story of trying to maintain traditions in the face of changing times; I’m definitely going to see it differently as a mother of two! Put [...]

Readers of this column know our family loves going to live theatre – pantomimes in particular. Well, all of that has given Grace the acting bug, for which we’ve found an excellent cure. It’s called Red Room Studio in Nanaimo and they offer year-round acting programs for kids 7 – 15. What we love in [...]