Category: Videos

Look at her go!

Ellie has been busy with science kits [VIDEO]

For Christmas, Ellie got a few science-centric gifts. Her aunty Nicola got her an electric circuits set, and we got her a 3-month subscription to KiwiCo’s Tinker crates, where she gets a new kit in the mail every month with a new mini-engineering project.

She’s been having a great time over the last few months playing with them and is loving learning about physics, chemistry and engineering.

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Monster Jam [VIDEO]

Ever since Jack has been on the scene, the interest in monster trucks in our house has gone through the roof.

So to treat the kids, we took them to see Monster Jam at the Moda Center. The kids definitely needed their ear protection (the sound really reverberates inside the arena), but they had a great time watching them do their tricks.

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Ellie’s first day at school [VIDEO]

This day was a long time coming. I think Ellie’s been ready to go to school for about three years, but she finally got the chance.

We sent her off into the world and she had an excellent first day at school. She rode the bus without issue and forgot about us the second she got on the bus.

Ever since, she’s truly thrived at school and loves going. She’s coming alive with learning new information and skills and will undoubtedly become a very intelligent person. Continue reading “Ellie’s first day at school [VIDEO]”

Family vacation to Bend, OR [VIDEO]

This summer, we made the decision to take our family vacation in Bend, OR. Bend is characterized by the high desert climate, notably different from the wetter climate on the west side of the Cascades (where Portland is), but its craft beer scene and its many options for outdoor adventure.

It was a pretty low-key affair and more than anything, it was just a good break from the everyday slog of life at home, but while we were there, we definitely took the opportunity to do some activities that we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do.

For example, we took Ellie and Jack horseback riding which went really well. Jack definitely needed some convincing, but once he realised he was OK, he loved it up on the horse. Continue reading “Family vacation to Bend, OR [VIDEO]”

Ellie and Daddy do Seattle [VIDEO]

This past weekend, I took Ellie to Seattle for a little daddy-daughter weekend before she starts school in a couple of weeks! We had so much fun seeing the sights and I cherished the opportunity to dote on my little girl, and do things like get dressed up and take her on a date.

We got up to write a lot during our time in Seattle. We:

  • Rode the light rail and the monorail (this is exciting to Ellie).
  • Went on a dinner date together, with Ellie in her princess dress and me in a shirt and tie.
  • Went up to the Space Needle and watched Seattle from high up, with the city lights aglow (Ellie often says how pretty the city looks at night because of all the lights.
  • Went to Pike Place Market.
  • Grabbed breakfast at Wayward Vegan Cafe (this wasn’t planned, but Ellie wanted waffles for breakfast, so the girl had to have waffles!).
  • Spent a few hours in the Pacific Science Center.
  • Went on the Seattle Great Wheel.
  • Grabbed breakfast together at Starbucks.
  • Went to Genessee Park to the Seafair Festival so that we could watch the Blue Angels. Continue reading “Ellie and Daddy do Seattle [VIDEO]”

Ellie making her first electrical project [VIDEO]

A couple of weekends ago, in the hopes that we could stop Jack from playing with all the light switches in the house, I made a simple box with four switches, each controlling a different colored LED. Pretty simple, but it did the trick.

Then one of Ellie’s friends wanted one and she also wanted to make one for herself, so I took the opportunity to teach her the basics of electricity and circuits and we made it together.

Now that she made one for her friend, she’s excited to make her own! Continue reading “Ellie making her first electrical project [VIDEO]”

Ellie explains the solar system [VIDEO]

During dinner, I’ve previously used fruit and the lamp above the table to try and explain the basics of the solar system to Ellie (particularly as the solar eclipse was approaching a few months ago).

A couple of nights ago, out of the blue, Ellie grabbed a few pieces of fruit and started to explain the solar system to me, completely unprompted. That was amazing in and of itself, but she also came up with a few new theories as to why certain things happen. They weren’t all true, but seeing the cogs turn in her head is amazing to me. She is one exceptional child.
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