There's fun in the Trunk!

The organizers of the Gabriola Theatre Festival have been working hard to create an amazing event and would love a good turnout for the kids day that they have planned (Sat, Aug 16). Specifically, the show/musical on the Saturday morning, Trunk! They say it is really quality fun and they want to make sure as many kids get to see it as possible.

The age range is suited for kids 3-12, but enjoyed by all ages!
Trunk! is a family show — all tickets are $10.
Here’s what the organizers have said, “I really loved it because the cast is so talented, and musicals are so inspiring, so I'm sure the parents will as well :) Kerploding Theatre is really excited to be coming to Gabriola"
Here's a link for more info: http://artsgabriola.ca/theatre/gtf-main-stage/trunk/
We're looking forward to seeing the entertainment in the Trunk!

Slaying the BRICKYARD beast.

If you've ever cycled around Gabriola, you'll be familiar with Brickyard hill, if you rode up it, you'll know the hill that I'm talking about.  In honor of this hill, Islanders have created one of the toughest 10km road races in Canada, The BRICKYARD BEAST, quite the sunday morning challenge. 
It is fun(!?!) and a well planned event, there is a strict code of silence while climbing the beast (until you catch your breathe) and a great station at the Gabriola Golf Course, where you can enjoy a simple cool down as the Island kids spray you with their water guns.  When you get to the finish line, you'll be greeted by spectators and  you can soak up some community spirit at the Commons, where there is an after party- complete with pizza and music.
There is still time to register, so throw on those runners, stick on a smile and head to the hill - I'll see you there, on my second beast slayer run, if I'm not talking - I'm just trying to get my breathe!

Submitted by Tina.

Gabriola. Searching the Sea.

We had the pleasure of taking a few kids out on the boat for a few hours yesterday,  within a short time frame we viewed an amazing amount of sea life.  We started our adventure by pulling the crab traps first, and we were pleased to find they liked the bait.  We then went and pulled the prawn traps and although they didn't overflow, there was enough there to please the kids.  We found an octopus in one of the prawn traps, which was an amazing sight for the kids.  We ended our trip with a little jigging, and managed to get a quillback in the boat.  The 9year old kids ended up with a nice little goodie bag of treats from the sea, and were pretty proud to be providing dinner for their families.  The shores of Gabriola are rich with fresh seafood and have an abundance of experiences waiting for you to discover! 

A new take on ADVENTS & post its

When Dec. 1 rolls around, we immediately hunt around for the kids advent calendars so they can begin celebrating the magic of the season.  They open the little "windows" leading up to Christmas, the windows remind me of post in notes, just saying a little something.  So this year, I've decided I would share a little insight in our (the Lynch's) Live with you over the 25 advent days.
It's our 25 day "post-it"advent celebration!

Gabriola's coffee culture

We are lucky to have some fantastic places to sit and have a tea, coffee or hot chocolate with friends.  On rainy afternoons, we like to make a little stop and sit down at Mad Rona's.  It's a beautiful, upscale coffee bar with great coffee, lots of atmosphere and delicious baked treats as well as soups and sandwiches.  Next time your feeling like a little treat or catching up with friends, I'd suggest a stop here.  My kids we're pretty ecstatic to see their hot chocolates coming out with orange sprinkles and chocolate syrup on top of the whip cream (there's also a great little green space right outside in case they hit the sugar wall).

Ready, set, go SAIL !

There are lots of great activities and camps for kids of all ages to attend on Gabriola.  This week, my kids are attending the "sailing camp".  The instructor Tom Bradbrooke is great with children and is teaching them about points of sail, knots, safety and how to tack and gybe.  My 8yr old daughter and a new friend have been busy sailing across Silva Bay on their own.  I'm really impressed with what they've been taught and the weeks not even over yet!
If you live on the Island or if your planning a trip, you may want to look at some of the camps that the Gabriola Recreation Society offers.  (Submitted by Tina Lynch)

Reading Rocks on this Rock.

If you want to encourage your kids to read this summer, stop by the Gabriola Branch of the Vancouver Island Library in the Folklife Village and sign them up for the Summer reading Club. This year’s theme is “reading rocks”, and they are making it fun for kids to explore and get familiar with the library. My kids went a few weeks ago with a friend and did the “scavenger hunt”, a great way to get them familiar with the library. We're filling up our reading lists and having fun, reading time at the Gabriola branch of the library this summer is on Tuesdays from 3-4pm. The Island Book shoppe is located next door to the library and offers a great variety of new and used books, and a nice selection from local authors & illustrators.

Gabriola 6 yr old hits the pool!

Last year we took our kids to swim lessons at the Beban Pool in Nanaimo, which just happened to be at the same time that the Nanaimo Diamonds Synchronized Swimming Club trains. This year, my daughter talked us into signing her up for the team. The clubs first fundraiser was a swim-a-thon, after only once class I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive about the situation. Bianca, my six year old daughter, led her little brother and dad around the neighborhood and collected pledges, our community is very giving and I’m not surprised that she raised $145 in an afternoon, but I am very thankful. The swim-a-thon went great, she swam with the use of a kickboard for 50 solid minutes and managed to get in 16 laps. Her little brother was kept busy too, he had made up a sign and ran up and down beside the pool cheering her on. Submitted by: Tina LYNCH