So yeah; gardens, boat, sunshine. Take two. (To save your poor browsers, I went with thumbnails for this. Hover for descriptions, click to enlarge)
Ever drag 3 kids out on an hour long car ride, a two hour boat ride, and then expect them to be even close to interested in walking around some bee-infested garden? You can guess how well that panned out for the lot of us. Fortunately, I am a creative woman with a decade of parenting under her belt, and I know a trick or two for getting kids interested in something.
Besides that. Everyone knows that. It worked pretty well for me, too, truth be told.
No, no, I was talking about every kid’s kryptonite: The Gift Shop. PS: Whoever decided to put the gift shop at the entrance of everything, making it the Very First Thing every kid sees? Can suck it. Moving on. I set a challenge for my boys that day; find and photograph ten shockingly, unexpected, secret things of beauty. No small feat in the Garden of Eden, eh? Each kid who found 10 got to go to the gift shop.
Of course, when 2of3 started pointing out bamboo fences in Japanese gardens *shock* and flowers growing in flower beds *gasp*, I had to clarify that I meant things that probably shouldn’t be where they were, things that made them want to stop breathing for the sheer beauty of them.
Game. On.
2of3 did really well in the end. My favorite find was the old pulley system for the limestone he found tucked in a corner, and my favorite picture of him, maybe ever, is that one with the blue flower.
1of3 is a little more conservative, and so it took him a LOT longer to get his pictures, but he was truly dazzled by the ones he did. Especially the totem poles and that water fountain, which just weren’t there one second, and so totally massively there the next.
(Edit: Linds was kind enough to play editor and remind me that I forget to mention that yes, they all got some piece of crap that probably sitting in a landfill by now at the gift shop, even though no one actually got to 10. We have the combined attention span of one cheese stick.) I found a few really beautiful things, too. We must have showed 20 kids that spider, which doesn’t look in pictures nearly as big as it was.
But all through my day, at the gardens, on the boat, in Victoria, I found that I am surrounded every minute of the day by the most beautiful things I could ever hope to see.
Yes, even my mother in law. God, I’m getting soft in my old age.
Tagged with: Buchart Gardens
OHmommy
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:26Awe. You are so stinking sweet and made me feel all warm and fuzzy. ;) Lovely.
Once upon a time, OHmommy wrote..Caboose Monkey
Jaina
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:26What a neat idea for keeping them interested and involved. Those are some great pictures!
Once upon a time, Jaina wrote..Stalling
Xbox4NappyRash
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:31Can I ask an idiotic question?
Have any of the kids ever tried to pull on the nose ring?
Once upon a time, Xbox4NappyRash wrote..Quod erat demonstrandum
Kristy - Where's My Damn Answer
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:31Awesome way to get them to be more invested in the trip :-D
Thanks for sharing the experience.
Linds
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:39What a fantastic idea! They did a great job with the photos, too! At the end, did they all get to go to the gift shop? LOL
Once upon a time, Linds wrote..Unconscious Mutterings
MomBabe
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:43You totally soft. Next thing you know, she’s going to be living with you.
Once upon a time, MomBabe wrote..Ghost Story
Matt
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:44I have decided to move to Canada. Do you have any ugly areas or what? Every shot I see looks like a travel brochure. Maybe you could do a post called “The Slums Of BC” to make me feel better about Los Angeles.
Second, Your kids are amazing. Truly. You should get them into modeling or something.
Once upon a time, Matt wrote..Healing
mb
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:46you – all of you – are beautiful!
Once upon a time, mb wrote..single mom-hood: does it suck?
punk rock mommy
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:52dude you really are getting soft right before our eyes! haha. Great idea with the pictures and how freakin gorgeous is your family. Seriously I am all like jealous over here.
Once upon a time, punk rock mommy wrote..I am Raising the Next Tina Fey
Em
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:55Wonderful post!! Love all the shots. I’m totally stealing that idea when I drag the kids to the arboretum in the next couple of weeks. They do come up with the coolest angles.
Em
Casey
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 12:58Now I’m totally craving an ice cream cone, thanks. The photoshop pictures are awesome!
Once upon a time, Casey wrote..Flowbee Me
Mom24@4evermom
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 13:03Awesome idea. Question–do your kids have their own cameras, and if so, which one? I’m looking for affordable camera ideas for my 8 year old for Christmas.
Once upon a time, Mom24@4evermom wrote..A distraction
Lo
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 13:26damnit, why’d you have to make me get all squeeshy and teary-eyed and such? (sniffle) that was so sweet! (and unexpected from you . hehehehehe joking!) (not!)
Once upon a time, Lo wrote..
Jack
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 13:39Gift shops are punishment for parents.
Once upon a time, Jack wrote..Who Wants To Buy An Artificial Foreskin
the planet of janet
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 13:40ice cream!!!!
(oh, and cute kids with pretty pix. love the b/w treatments)
Once upon a time, the planet of janet wrote..It’s time to look ahead
Latte Mommy
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 13:44I love, love, love that shot of you and the Donor on the ferry. And the kids are pretty cute, too. But you already knew that.
Once upon a time, Latte Mommy wrote..The Vacation Correlation
Maria
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 13:45AUGH you make me want to have more kids. And Im’ not even done gestating my second. What a beautiful family.
Once upon a time, Maria wrote..ten
Elle Charlie
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 14:02I love the photos – especially the b&w ones with just a touch of color.
Once upon a time, Elle Charlie wrote..Take that!
Ree
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 14:08I’m not sure I even know you anymore.
Snort.
XX
Once upon a time, Ree wrote..Cousins – Past in Polaroids 9
Katherine
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 14:26I love this post. I love that idea; I love their pictures. What a beautiful family.
Once upon a time, Katherine wrote..A Good Thing With a Side of Chips
raino
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 15:11you old softie you
Once upon a time, raino wrote..Fricken Disaster!
VegasDad
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 15:36Great pics and great trip. I haven’t been there in 24 years.
tracey
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 15:47Sweet.
Once upon a time, tracey wrote..Embarrassing Truths
thedemigod
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 15:51This is GORGEOUS! I love how you’ve got all this zest for the beauty that surrounds us, but still with the dark whisky in the sippy cup effect underlying the whole thing.
Love it. To bits.
And in a weird coinkidink, I posted something similar in my blog!
*clinking* sippy cups. :)
Once upon a time, thedemigod wrote..The Icing on my Endorphin Cake from Yesterday
thedemigod
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 15:52Oh and it doesn’t hurt either that you are the most gorgeous family i have EVER seen too! Screw the Brangelinas!
Once upon a time, thedemigod wrote..The Icing on my Endorphin Cake from Yesterday
Zoeyjane
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 16:21Those are Gore-gee-us. Oh, the donor, lookit how fly he looks.
Once upon a time, Zoeyjane wrote..On seeking, but not finding.
Megryansmom
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 17:12GREAT pictures. I’m glad everything went well with the MIL
Once upon a time, Megryansmom wrote..We Could Be Twins!
flickrlovr
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 17:29Gorgeous pictures! The boys did really well with their ‘quests’ for photos.
And dammit, you ARE going soft! We need a hard-edge-Mr-Lady post to even us out.
Seriously though? Very sweet.
Tara R.
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 18:48You all are too beautiful. Your photos are great!
Once upon a time, Tara R. wrote..What if I’m wrong?
elisabeth
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 20:02What a great idea to keep the kids interested in looking around. Will have to try that.
Once upon a time, elisabeth wrote..Things I am thankful for today
micki
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 20:13How did you get the black and white with color spots? I love them! How do I do this with my camera? Or is it after in photoshop or something?
Once upon a time, micki wrote..Piano Lessons Paying Off
mn
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 20:25awesome pictures.
nobody found gum on the sidewalk…”insert shock here.”
that is such a pretty place.
i wanna go. how much does it cost to fly to canada. where specifically are these gardens wah wah.
cool pictures and more so, wonderful memories.
tammie
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 20:52that last shot is like a magazine ad! you’re all pretty freaking gorgeous.
Once upon a time, tammie wrote..yummy cupcake
Kristabella
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 20:59What a great idea! I would have just stuck with lots of ice cream!
You and your family are so gorgeous!
Once upon a time, Kristabella wrote..I Have Nothing To Say
janethesane
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 21:11I bet you’ve really missed me. Great photos. I visited Victoria years ago and bought a shirt with Victoria on the front (yes, in the gift shop). Then I went home and everyone was all, oooh, that’s your name. *roll*
Once upon a time, janethesane wrote..Screaming
Leslie Dillinger
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 21:42Beautiful pics! I LOVE the one of Josh and 1of3. Gorgeous!
Missives From Suburbia
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 22:03I can’t believe not one of those kids scored points with you by trying to get a photo with you, you gorgeous thing, you. Just proves they’re not as creative as their mother.
Great post. Beautiful perspective.
Once upon a time, Missives From Suburbia wrote..Welcome To the Sorority
Loralee
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 23:33Holy god those ice cream cones look so damn good right now that I am LICKING MY SCREEN. (You’re in the shot so it’s just an added bonus as well.) Hee!
Once upon a time, Loralee wrote..Form letter. (I think that I am just going to keep copies of this in my purse.)
Loralee
Tuesday, 7 October, 2008 at 23:48P.S. In my awe over the ice cream I totally forgot to mention my undying LOVE for Vancouver Island. I’ve been several times.
I LOVE The Empress Hotel and Victoria in general.
I did NOT love falling into the Japanese fish pond at Buschart Gardens nor being kicked off of the premises of a local night club for “Soliciation” of my GAY friend pulling up in a taxi when I was pregnant and wearing a cardigan sweater and jeans, however.
;)
Once upon a time, Loralee wrote..Form letter. (I think that I am just going to keep copies of this in my purse.)
tiff
Wednesday, 8 October, 2008 at 3:39Looks like an amazing time. I am feeling like the slacktard mother,right now. You know the one, who never takes her kids anywhere?
That’s me, right now.
Once upon a time, tiff wrote..It’s the little things.
auntie
Wednesday, 8 October, 2008 at 6:35It’s really not fair that such a gorgeous family also got to have such a fabulous time! Love all the pics :)
zandor
Wednesday, 8 October, 2008 at 7:31That was a neat idea.
Once upon a time, zandor wrote..Voting and Politics
Marge
Wednesday, 8 October, 2008 at 8:17I am drolling over your beautiful family and crying because you are so far away. I miss you, ya know?
Once upon a time, Marge wrote..Simply Amazing
Kim
Wednesday, 8 October, 2008 at 21:52I could totally be bribed by ice cream.
Once upon a time, Kim wrote..Hi, My name is Kim. I am NOT Perfect.
Colleen - Mommy Always Wins
Thursday, 9 October, 2008 at 13:32Simply lovely. Great shots by the entire gang.
And – is there anything ice cream CAN’T fix?!?
April
Saturday, 11 October, 2008 at 11:512of3′s pics are BREATHtaking!
Once upon a time, April wrote..No Men