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I have 5 minutes before I “hit the hay” and I really wanted to get this out there.

This weekend, I’m attending the Point Grey Fiesta. It’s a community gathering with events spanning three days (June 18th – 20th).

A girlfriend of mine told me the Fiesta is “…a lot of fun, full of shiny, happy people”. Hmmmm….with a glowing (or should I say shiny) review like that, how can I say no.

The epicenter of this intriguing event is Trimble Park, where a variety of carnival rides will magically appear for 3 days. Carnival rides in the center of the city? That sounds like a cute, old fashioned, small town fair to me (which I love). To check out the rides head to Trimble park Friday afternoon, Saturday or Sunday at the times specified below. You can purchase early-bird tickets from West 10th merchants or purchase regular ride tickets on the day.

Fiesta Friday Afternoon
After School Carnival rides and midway games from 15:00 – 21:00
Fiesta Saturday
Carnival rides from 11:00 – 21:00
Fiesta Sunday
Carnival rides from 12:00 – 17:00

This “start-of-summer celebration for the community” includes the following events so jot this down on your calendar:

Friday June 18
West 10th Avenue	18:00 On-street entertainment & outdoor cooking.
Trimble Park	15:00- 21:00 Carnival rides.

Saturday June 19
West 10th Avenue	09:15 Parade assembly on Blanca Street. 09:30 Decorated bike contest on Tolmie Street. 10:00 Parade starts. All day – Sidewalk sale.
Trimble Park	11:30 Opening ceremonies. 11:00-17:00 Stage. 12:30 & 14:00 Royal City Rockets Dog Agility Show West Point Grey Community Centre Day Camp Silent Auction until 1500 Roving Musicians 11:00- 21:00 Carnival.

Sunday June 20
Trimble Park	11:00 – 12:00 Worship in the Park 12:00 –17:00 Carnival rides

Get ready, Canada Day is almost upon us. Every year, I end up at Granville Island on Canada Day. In order to make the most of the festivities, I follow a few simple rules.

In the past, there have been a smattering of musicians, international food vendors, retailers and dancers setup around the Island. Maple leaf pins and paper flags are given away as are tattoos at the ever-popular maple leaf tattoo booth.

On the whole, I find the line-ups frustrating, the food so-so, and the parade (while cute), not worth the wait. The parade was about 4 minutes long and was predominantly made up of Granville Island retailers in costume.

If you have small children and it’s a hot day, the experience can get tedious pretty quickly. Here are some suggestions to help ensure a fun time:

Wear red to get into the Canada Day spirit.
Bring lots of sun screen.
Get there early before the swarms of people arrive.
Bring a cooler containing lunch and lots of drinks (picnic style). You could also send someone to buy meat and cheese at the market. If you aren’t there early be prepared to wait in lines.
Bring a blanket and umbrella and claim your spot on the grassy meadow behind the playground and water-park (I like to call this “Home Base”).
Be prepared for your kids to get wet (there’s a wicked water park a stone’s throw away).
Bring some inflatable balls and other inexpensive toys for your kids (…with so many kids in one place you’ll find that everyone plays with everything… it’s good to share, that’s why I say inexpensive).
Bring Grandma or Grandpa and tell them to “hold down the fort” while you go on small trips to the bathroom (inside the False Creek Community Centre), to view the parade or to grab another tattoo.

Keep these things in mind when you’re crafting your Canada Day experience at Granville Island and I’m sure you’ll have a great time. How you bribe your parents to come along for the day is up to you.

Commercials, news stories, walks, runs, telethons…nothing really does BC Children’s Hospital justice. Until you’re there, in the trenches, with a child that’s suffering, you don’t really understand what an amazing place it is…amazing because of the people.

Last weekend, we spent 2 days there when my 22 month old son was diagnosed with pneumonia. We were sleep deprived wrecks, when we arrived at the ward. Our son was frightened and exhausted after getting blood work done; suffering through numerous attempts to start and IV; and getting X-rays taken (all very traumatic for the little guy and his parents).

In Emergency, there is always a wait, but here we had a TV and cartoons to distract us. Nurses and Doctors were caring and actually smiled. They took the time to talk with us and explain things. Toys were given for each procedure; a large plastic magnifying glass for the x-rays and a mini teddy bear for the IV.

We entered the ER at 4:00am and were escorted to our room at 8:00am. Two nurses, Tara and Rachael, guided us through the maze of hallways to the ward. They made us feel welcome and at home. Unlike other hospital experiences, I didn’t feel like I was intruding or being a bother. These women didn’t act like they were discontent, exhausted and underpaid. Instead, they were funny, upbeat, energetic and positive. They showed me my bed (beside Caden’s crib) and where to get bedding, extra PJs and blankets. They gave me a mini tour of the floor which included a peek at the Nourishment Station (translation mini kitchen). Here parents can prepare snacks for their kids. There is bread, jam, butter, peanut butter, a toaster, baby food, canned soups, apple and orange juice, milk, ice cream and popsicles.

Instead of feeling scared and apprehensive, I felt comfortable and confident. The nurses were understanding, great communicators, who anticipated my needs and Caden’s almost intuitively. They even hid in the bathroom while waiting for some equipment to arrive so they didn’t upset Caden (the sight of a mask and stethoscope was causing anxiety and upset).

Upon my arrival home I updated my facebook with these words:

“Andrea thinks Children’s Hospital is amazing and the nurses there are phenomenal and so human…why can’t it be that way everywhere…Caden has a touch of pneumonia…Mommy is using cookies and coffee as a crutch”

I understand upon reflection that it is the people that make the difference. The people that gravitate to this job are a unique breed. Any individual that can work day in and day out with sick children is extraordinary. Therefore, it follows that the care you would receive from that type of person would be could be nothing but excellent….and it was.

The weekend we stayed at BC Children’s Hospital they were holding Child Run, a fundraiser for pediatric cancer research and programs. It looks like a great event and a wonderful cause. Let’s just put it this way…they can count on 3 more people participating next year.

Point Grey Fiesta 2010 diversión para la familia (fun, fun, FUN!)

Surviving Canada Day on Granville Island with small kids

BC Children’s Hospital, sick but with a smile