Growing tall on Gabriola

The Vancouver Island Exhibition (VIEX) was held over the August 20-23 weekend in Nanaimo and drew in a number of visitors. My kids took part of the “sunflower” competition; sunflower seeds were given away in the spring along with the entry forms. We eagerly set them in the ground and began watering, soon we could see them from our living room and we dug them up to take them in. The kids we’re over the moon to both receive a big blue ribbon for their age category and I was pretty happy to have the reassurance that Gabriola is a great place to garden.

Childcare Options on the Island

If you’re looking for the perfect place for your tiny tot on Gabriola there are a few options to consider:

Hope Center offers a few options, they have a daycare, preschool and after school programs. You can visit their website at www.gabriolahopecentre.com or phone them at 250.247.8730. They are located in the North End of Gabriola near the Elementary school and Village.

Perry Road Preschool is in the South End of the Island and is open on Monday and Wednesday mornings for 2.5-5yr olds, Christine Watt is ECE trained and can be reached at 250.247.7478.

Gabriola Co-Op Preschool is run out of the Community Hall in the South End of Gabriola and is held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. If you’d like more information leave a message at 250.247.9292.

Private you’ll also find people that will care for your children in your home, if you’re looking for some names let me know, I’d be happy to pass them along.

You’ll find lots of activities posted on the bulletin boards and in the Sounder to keep your little one busy, some are run privately and other are run through the Gabriola Recreation Society (www.gabriolarecreation.org). These include, swimming lessons (summer only), gymnastics, yoga, and art and dance classes.

The Big TENT !

There will be a lot of entertainment this weekend, August 21, 22 & 23 - presented by the Gabriola Theater Festival, with productions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There are 8 productions offered in a variety of locations on the Island. Single show tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door, except for the Itchy Fish production of “A midsummer night in Oz” which will only cost you $5 at the door. To find out show times and places to get your tickets visit : www.gabriolatheatrefestival.ca .

There are a lot of other events as well, Zigster the trickster will perform some magic in the Village between 10-1 on Saturday, and you can stroll down Lochinvar between 10-4 on Saturday,the street will be closed to traffic for 50 local artists that will have booths set up to share their creativity.

A trip to Oz…

Well firstly, I have to start off by stating that this is all about being an Auntie, which gives me HUGE bragging rights, which will be apparent in this blog…

Last weekend, at the home Tina & I grew up in on Gabriola, we celebrated by neice Bianca, and nephew MicGill’s birthday party and WOW, what a spectacular celebration. Our friends & families came to take a walk on the yellow brick road where they met Oz, the wicked witch of the East (aka Tina my sister), the good witch, Tin Man, and hosts Dorothy (B) and Lion (M). Along the journey their were games to keep the munckins busy and it truly felt like we had left Kansas and ended up in the magical world of Oz (Gabriola).

Guy stole the show, as the Tin Man who kept telling everyone he only wanted a heart, but he couldn’t resist blurting out to our local Dr. that he also wanted his spleen back!

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate, and to our hostess Dorothy(Bianca), and Lion (MicGill) – I am SO proud to be your Auntie, you guys are both amazing kids!

Happy Birthday!

XOXXO Your Auntie, Jen