Vancouver Event: Vancouver Aquarium

This year my 7 year old niece is getting adventuresome and even though she was close to her mom in her younger years, she has recently realized that's it's okay to hang out with "auntie".  This means that I can have fabulous days where I spend the morning and afternoon finding out the joys of being young again.

Kids at school get free passes to Vancouver attractions and the ticket that she received was for the Vancouver Aquarium.  I hadn't been in years so it was great to go and see it through the eyes of a 7 year old.  I still had to pay $31 for an adult ticket but it was worth every penny for a memory that we'll never forget with my niece.

Everything is new and incredible at the aquarium.  We went through the tropics and each large glass she peered inside pointing in amazement at the different fish.  We saw a blue parrot and when we moved over to the Pacific Northwest there were jellyfish.  Jellyfish were one of my favorite.  We went to the 4D show which is lots of fun as the seats and effects will give you an entire experience.  Then we explored the exhibits outside which led us to the beluga whales, Chester, the false killer whale and penguins.  Of course every visit ends by exiting the gift shop and she did buy a seal with a magnetic pen attached.    

Time flies at the Vancouver Aquarium and I took lots of pics.  Here are some of the highlights below.  

Finding Nemo - Clownfish

Tortoises in the Tropics

Amazing Jellyfish

Crabs

Penguins

You can always find more info at their website:  http://www.vanaqua.org/  

Vancouver Event: Science World Body Worlds Animals Inside Out

Hello Vancity Girlfriends,

Today was my day to be an auntie and take my seven year old niece on an adventure to Science World.  I'm the auntie who takes transit and the adventure began by getting on a bus to the skytrain.  Wow!  Who knew that taking the skytrain could be a treat!

It was also exciting that the stop that we got off at Main Street Science World was minutes away from the main attraction.  We didn't have to spend too much time in the rain and puddles.  However, we were prepared with our umbrellas that almost flew away and our rain jackets and rain boots.  

I have to admit that I wasn't sure if Body Worlds Animals Inside Out would be appropriate for kids, but I think the warning labels were there just to scare me.  I thought I'd just ask my niece who saw the picture of the stripped down goat and said "Sure, let's go".  Of course she also said in the same breath, I saw "Inside Out" in the theatre.  Well, it wasn't going to be like the movie, that's for sure.  

Body World Animals Inside Out Giraffe

I secretly was excited to be going to Body Worlds Animals Inside Out so we went to that special limited time only exhibit first.  We received an Ostrich stamp because then we could go in and out of the exhibit freely.  When we first stepped in they showed us an arm that was plastinated and explained how plastination worked before we saw the animals for themselves.  Initially there were squid, fish, and sharks.  In one box was a dark red heart that attracted my niece, then she asked "What it is?" and I read "A shark's heart" from the label.  She took a look and instead of being scared, she pointed to the shark in a nearby cage and said "There's the shark."  Ahh, I don't need to be scared when I have my niece to take me around to learn more about the anatomy and physiology of animals.  She really did take me through the exhibit which was fascinating and unique.  

Body Worlds:  Animals Inside Out is at Science World in Vancouver until March 2016.  It's worth taking a look if you have the chance and great to go with kids.  We spent a full afternoon at Science World!  After the Body Worlds Animals Inside Out exhibit, we explored other exhibits including the Living Lab, Body Works, Sustainable World, and even watched the Toys Science Show.  The best was that this was a memory that I now share with my niece.  I love the gift of quality time.  

Crafternoon: Halloween Bags for Kids

Dear Vancity Girlfriends,

Well, it Halloween is around the corner on Friday, October 31st and I volunteered to help Vancity Girlfriend Carolyn prepare the Halloween bags she would give to the kids in her son's class.  Halloween Day is also his last day of daycare so we prepared special Halloween bags with lots of goodies inside for all 30 of his classmates!  WOW!  That was a Halloween assembly line for sure! 

I love crafting so I happily volunteered to spend a crafternoon preparing the bags.  We started with orange gift bags which I drew a tag on with a black sharpie that read "From Toby".  Then it was Halloween sticker time.  We added stickers to the front of each bag.  That was our simple Halloween decoration.  

Now it was time to fill the bags.  We put a bit of black "easter" paper at the bottom of each bag and filled the bags with treats such as Halloween tattoos, Hello Kitty or Halloween pencils, chocolate bar or smarties, Angry birds lollipop ring, Halloween clappers or rings.  Fun times preparing Halloween gift bags for kids!  Happy Halloween!

Kids Halloween Gift Bags

Halloween Bags with Stickers

Subscription Boxes: Nerd Block Jr Box Unboxing (August 2014)

Hello Vancity Girlfriends !

Toby is back for another month of unboxing fun with the Nerd Block Jr (August 2014).  When he opens the toys, he is so excited and mesmerized.  I start to wonder if the adult Nerd Block will leave us feeling the same.  Ah, the wonder in seeing the world from a kids point of view.  Enjoy!

Subscription Boxes: Nerd Block Jr. Unboxing (for boys, June 2014)

Hello Vancity Girlfriend,

Awhile back we discovered Nerd Block Junior and Vancity Girlfriend placed an order for her son Toby.  Well time passed and I'm sure you all were wondering what happened to our unboxing of the Nerd Block Junior.  

Well, who better to unbox the Nerd Block than Toby himself!  

Seems like he had fun with this one!  Enjoy!

Subscription Boxes: Nerd Block Toy Subscription Box Junior Edition

Hello Vancity Girlfriends,

As you know we are always on the lookout for new subscription boxes to try and review for you.  I received a text tonight from Vancity Girlfriend Carolyn to let me know that we will have a guest vlogger opening up a new subscription box in July.

It's Toby, her son, who will be receiving the Nerd Block Junior.  Now I hadn't heard of this box before so I did a little research.  Nerd Block is a Toy Subscription Box with toys that are nerd or geek approved.  We are talking about Star Wars, Dr Who, Marvel themed toys and those of the such.  

Nerd Block Junior has toys appropriate for kids aged 6 - 11.  They have a Nerd Block Junior Boys Edition and a Nerd Block Junior Girls Edition.  I think my 6 year old niece would love a Nerd Block Junior Girls Edition with My Little Pony and Hello Kitty since I just made felt My Little Pony Ears for her girls birthday party.  Anyways, let's take it one step at a time and see what Toby says first.

Nerd Block Original for Adults is 19.99 plus shipping.  

Nerd Block Junior Edtions for Boys or Girls is 13.99 plus shipping.

Let's watch Toby open up his Nerd Block Junior Boys Edition first in July!

Thanks for stopping by Vancity Girlfriend Blog!

Stay tuned for some subscription box openings and reviews.