May 2010 – ketchupface.com

This morning, I visited Kokopelli Cafe (for the second time), grabbed a $2 latte, propped up my exhausted hubby in a chair, and let Caden loose in the play area. Finally, I was able to relax for a few moments while I watched Caden try to play with a little girl, who wanted nothing to do with him.

My hubby ordered a small but satisfying sandwich containing turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce with a side salad for $7.95 and a 12 oz. blueberry smoothie.

While Caden struggled with rejection from the opposite sex, I thought back to my first visit to this establishment. It was a Friday afternoon (their busiest day) and the place was loaded with kids and parents. This time, I’d dragged my Aunt along for the adventure and we managed to nab the last table in this small establishment…whew!

After Caden was busy playing, I approached the gal at the counter for a chat. I asked her which of the baked goods was the most popular. She directed me to the cheese scones and the double dutch chocolate brownies. All their baked good are freshly made on site. My Aunt loved the scone which was good (for a scone) but let’s face it, a scone ain’t no brownie now is it (as you may have guessed, I ate most of that one).

I also ordered a blueberry smoothie for my son who is just learning to drink from a straw. It was really good but honestly, he was more interested in playing than drinking. The good news – more smoothie for me! It was yummy, fresh tasting and not too sweet.

I really like this place. It’s a great “re-fueling station”. Moms (or Dads) can take a few moments to chill (while their children play), gulp down a $2 latte, get their second wind and race off again feeling a little more human.

Kokopelli Cafe
4593 Dunbar St
Vancouver, BC
Ph: 604-228-0818

Memorial Park (also known as “that park”) is the green space tucked neatly behind the Dunbar Community Centre at Dunbar and 31st Avenue. In addition to the playground, there’s a lawn bowling club, tennis courts and a baseball diamond with bleachers.

The day we visited, there was a lot of activity in the park. At one end, there was an intense game of Tee Ball while at the other end a small group took Tai Chi lessons.

The playground was busy, full of kids “playing nice”. This park has three main structures, one for bigger kids with a spiral slide and the second (very similar to the apparatus at Chaldecott Park) contained a fort, mini suspension bridge and zip line. Yes, I said zip line…wheeeeeeeeeeeeee! That part of the playground was a little advanced for my little guy but he was intrigued and stood quietly while he watched the bigger kids give it a try. Third structure contained tubes you could crawl through, a tube slide and a horizontal ladder to climb on or swing from.

This playground, like many I’ve visited, frustrates me. My 21 month old loves all slides but has a hard time accessing them due to the odd design of these structures. They use different types of ladders to give kids access to the slides. These ladders are tricky to climb…shheeesh…what’s wrong with an old fashioned set of stairs. Here we go again…my poor back…I watch parents lift their kids up to the slides so they can slide on down. The only park I know of (at this point) with easy access to the spiral slide is the Granville Loop park.

Memorial Park is another park from my childhood. It was fun to visit and feels like home to me. We’ll be back to check out the zip line and perhaps even play a little Tee Ball in the future.

Walk with me down memory lane for a moment…

Ahhhh… Chaldecott Park, home field of my old soccer team, the Dunbar Dazzlers (yah, that name was embarrassing even back then); the woods were inhabited by my brownie pack; and the wading pool (now filled in with cement and transformed into a water park) was used by my family on hot summer days. I haven’t set foot in this park in over 20 years…ouch!

Standing in the park with my husband and son, I was overwhelmed by good feelings! Even the air smelled good…and the daisies in the grass….oh, the daisy chains we used to make… “snap out of it, woman!”

Ok…sorry, here are the facts:

1 big kid swing set (5 swings)
1 toddler swing set (4 swings)
1 tire swing
1 fort/slide for big kids
1 fort/slide for toddlers
2 sad looking springy horses
4 picnic tables
1 water park
2 baseball diamond with very old bleachers

This park is good fun. My 21 month old son sat on the bleachers with Daddy, mesmerized by the baseball practice in session.

The fort/slide targeting toddlers is the smallest I’ve ever seen and a great starting place for timid kids.
There’s only one thing that drives me “batty”. Why, oh why, do they make it so difficult for little kids to access the slides? What’s wrong with using good ole fashioned steps…why the crazy ladders? This design flaw is the cause of my sore shoulders and upper back from lifting Caden up to the slide every time he signs “more”, “more”, “more”. It’s tough being a Mommy (but you get ripped arms).

Rant aside, we will return to this park. Besides, now I have a new, wonderful memory here. Caden blowing his first dandelion seeds into the air. So sweet.

Chaldecott Park
4175 Wallace Street
(@ King Edward Avenue)

Kokopelli Cafe, a refueling station for parents

Memorial Park has something for everyone

Chaldecott Park takes me for a walk down memory lane