Well, I started Ti-chi at the YMCA. It’s everything and nothing like I expected. It’s like Tae Kwon Do in way slow motion. What I didn’t expect was the feelings that came with it. I understand the philosophy and the science behind the movements and stretches. I wasn’t surprised when various joints sang out in protests and pops as I learned the first three moves. Or the twinge that started pulsing in my knee. What it was that surprised me was that somewhere, about half way through these extremely slow, deliberate movements… I started to sweat and my joints began to feel like someone was finally lubricating the old bones, and they drank deeply of the oil, like rusted old hinges on an abandoned barn door being conditioned and oiled for use again. Dang that sounds poetic.

Anyways, by the end of the class I had a few sore muscles, a faster heart beat and less pain then I had felt all day. And energy. I have practiced my moves almost every day and can’t wait till Thursday to go back and learn the next few steps.

DD enjoys her water aerobics. I’ll try to get her on here and post her opinion of the YMCA. I kind of started this site before enlisting my whole family to write, but I’m pretty persuasive. J

In the Begining

It is my hope to share the experiences of my family as we discover the wondrous sights in and around Vancouver. We moved here at the end of 2008 and have already discovered many great things to do as a family. We moved with very little money, since I had just graduated from a small community college and obtained a job over here. With two small boys reluctant to leave their small town living, we enticed them with all the fun adventures we would have. I think the Portland Zoo was the clincher though. I will go into more details later, pertaining to costs and reviews; as for now I am just going to list a few of the things we have done as a whole family, or just as part.

Washougal River: Here my boys and I can walk the shores, discover crawdads, and find cool rocks. Soon as we get our fishing poles over here we’ll be fishing it also.

YMCA: We have spent countless hours at the Y. The boys really enjoy swimming and they have free daycare for members. DD has started water aerobics and I am starting Ti Chi tomorrow. DD and I both enjoy working out on the treadmills and weights. We bought the family membership and it was very reasonable for the amount of use we get.

Portland Zoo: Ok, this has got to be one of the coolest places around. They are a little expensive for a larger family if you go more then a couple times, it’s way worth it to buy the family pass. We paid out less then $70 and for an entire year we get in free, including parking. The boys *really* enjoyed the lorikeet cage, where for a dollar you can buy some nectar and the birds will land all over you.

IKEA: Hey, don’t laugh! The boys have a blast sitting in all the chairs and looking around at all the displays. Plus they have free daycare for younger kids! Of course, the highlight of IKEA is picking up hotdogs and drinks for the family afterward. Incredibly cheap! Plus, we buy a 6-pack of cinnamon rolls for around $5. Yummy!!!

Costco: Again, I’m sure the urge to laugh is strong. But… and I don’t know if I’m supposed to admit this but our card has been expired for quite a while. We go there to look around, maybe try a few samples, and buy Costco dogs! Gotta love a huge polish dog and a pop for $2.25!


Hoyt Arboretum: We haven’t actually walked through here yet, but it’s coming up soon. We have driven through it a few times and it looks amazing! We can’t wait to hike all the trails.