Vancouver(ish) Tribe: planning a going-away party

[Ksenia]

So we have lots of mamas leaving the vancouver area soon! I thought we could use this thread to organize a going-away party if possible. :balloons

The common house here at Cranberry Commons is a potential venue if it is available and if we are in town. We'll be out of town
Aug 22-24
Aug 30-Sep 10
If there is interest in booking the common house, the sooner the better of course to ensure availability. Of course it doesn't have to be here -- I just thought I'd offer.

Thoughts?

[Storm Bride]

That sounds like a great idea. I have no other suggestions for a venue, and your common room is wonderful. We're unavailable from Saturday the 9th to the 16th (in-laws in from Knoxville), but we'd love to come any other time. I'll keep checking the thread...

[dawncayden]

I think your common room is great but I'd also like to suggest Trout Lake or a beach as well.

[mirthfulmum]

We'll be in town Aug. 29th to Sept. 1, but we have a few birthday parties to be at.

[artparent]

yay! so kazia, could you make friday august 29th? what if we did a beach with ksenia's as back up, is that possible? we love second beach, too....but let's hear from all the travelers :wink

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[mamaana]

August 29th sounds good so far...2nd beach or maybe john lawson park in west van?

[weliveintheforest]

That would work for me, I'd love to come :D

[mirthfulmum]

We could make it in the afternoon of the 29th... I'm pretty sure.

[Ellp]

I'd be more inclined to come if it was at Ksenia's, just cause its closer to me. :p :)Unfortunately for us, daytime parties work the best as both kids are pretty done for the day by about 4pm. Otherwise, any day other than Mondays and Wednesdays work for us!

[tiffani]

I'm good with the 29th...
more later...

[Alison's Mom]

I'd be interested in coming to meet more of the tribe. Weekdays during the day are better as we tend to do family time whenever DH is at home (unless of course, he's at hockey, but it's playoffs coming up and I don't have the schedule yet). I love the Cranberry Commons suggestion - it's so close to my house!

[widemouthedfrog]

i'm lurking, but we're away until the 30th.

[Autumn Mama]

We could make the 29th!! We're still pretty flexible so far this month!!


:love

[beaner&tiegs]

Hey Ksenia! Thanks so much for thinking of this! I'm pretty sure that we'd be in town for the 29th, so that could work for us (sorry for those who couldn't make it, but I'm sure we could have a couple more casual beach get-togethers in Sept!). I personally think Ksenia's place would work the best as it's a bit more contained and therefore easier to visit. But I'm open!

We're home on Thurs, kind of looking forward to getting back to our own place and to our small family again, but on the other hand not looking forward to having to deal with all the stresses of getting the house ready.......hopefully it's still sunny when we arrive!

[dawncayden]

I can do the 29th. Nap is around noon, so mornings work but I'd assume that wouldn't work. 2pm to 6pm would be good.

[mirthfulmum]

We'll be driving in from Vernon on the Friday (29th) so we wouldn't be getting into town until 3ish. So as long as the party is still on at 4pm, we'll be there.

[tiffani]

We're good for anytime -- maybe an early dinner potluck kind of thing? Or a late afternoon lots of snacks kind of thing?

[robugmum]

29th works for me! Anywhere is fine - I am portable and could help out with carpooling.:joy:

[vancouverlori]

Well, as much as I'd be up for getting together... I'm afraid that the Labour Day long weekend is Harmony Hollow (barbershop camp) for the whole family, and my kids will probably think they'll die if they miss a single minute. The 29th is also my last day at my current job and since we haven't found my replacement yet, and we don't even have any techs available on Fridays, I can't even leave early. Poop.

But I'll stay tuned in case another date is chosen.

[artparent]

time is speeding by, we're hoping that everyone can still make it - ksenia, are you still up for hosting? shall we bring food? anything else? what time?

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[sea island mama]

I guess I didn't reply before, but we're planning on coming. Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Any time after noon would be great for us. Maybe 1 or 2 so we could have lunch first, then bring snacks/goodies to share.

[Ksenia]

I'm still up for providing a venue but do we agree on having it at Cranberry Commons? Or do folks want that as a back-up option? If so, when? The room isn't available until after 11:30 AM. Potlucks are easy to do here. The room does need to be booked though (I have it tentatively booked but I'll only do that for a couple of days). Guests of honour, it would be especially great to hear from you!

[robugmum]

I'm still planning to come! I'm not a guest of honour though - we're pretty rooted here!:treehugger:

[Storm Bride]

I'm still planning to come! I'm not a guest of honour though - we're pretty rooted here!:treehugger:

Oh, good - someone else who isn't leaving!

Ksenia: Another non guest of honour here, but I'm okay with pretty much any time. Afternoons are better for me (because I'm SO bad at mornings), but mornings are probably better for the kids. The 29th works for me, but another date would, too.

[artparent]

how about 1.30? any objections?

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[dawncayden]

If its at 1:30 we wouldn't be able to get there until 3pm or so, as Cayden naps at 1pm.
So how long is the party on?

[tiffani]

Guest of Honor here, everybody listen up!! :p

ahem.

yes, the 29th, Cranberry commons is great, if that's ok with you, Ksenia. we're good with whatever time, but I know that Kazia's family (mirthfulmum) won't be able to make it until 3 or 4, and she really wanted to come and see everyone, so the later the better for her...

I'm ok with anytime, so yeah, 1:30/2 to start would be great, and Dawn, I assume many of us will stay until 5/6 ish if that works for Ksenia...

[dawncayden]

It's not going to be an all nighter? :p

Lets all rock on :jammin

[tiffani]

:guitar

I would actually be fine with making it a dinnerish kind of thing, but I assume that wouldn't work for many families... but perhaps if Ksenia's family is up for it, we can play it by ear and if the kids are doing well we can let it rock on? order chinese food and continue visiting? or we could start a little later (like 3 or 4) and bring potluck dinner food?

I'm up for whatever!

[artparent]

we don't really mind either...

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[Ellp]

We're another family who's rooted as rooted can be (darn that mortgage...).

Aug 29th is good, Cranberry Commons is good, and anytime before 3:30pm is good for us. I'd just like to start heading back before then to beat the traffic.

Potluck?

[dawncayden]

We're another family who's rooted as rooted can be (darn that mortgage...).

Aug 29th is good, Cranberry Commons is good, and anytime before 3:30pm is good for us. I'd just like to start heading back before then to beat the traffic.

Potluck?

Or...you could go after traffic :wink Like around 7pm or 8pm...or just stay the night :p
Rock on!

[robugmum]

I can't do the evening either but 1:30ish until 5 or so is fine for me!

[Piglet68]

I want to come, too! I'll have to check with Kazia (mirthfulmum) as she is staying at our place that night, driving down from Vernon that day, so not sure when she is planning on arriving. But if we can, we'll come!

[Alison's Mom]

This sounds so fun, but we're now going to be on Saturna next week until Fri evening. If the date changes, I'd be in! We're also rooted. DH keeps talking about moving, but my friends are family are all here!

[beaner&tiegs]

I've got the 29th written down on my calendar, and booked up for you guys - works well for me! I personally would prefer 3-ish and a potluck dinner, but of course I can come earlier too. I have nothing else on that day, and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone!!!!!! I'm also kind of thinking of maybe going swimming at Eileen Daily afterwards if anyone wants to join us after dinner........

[Ellp]

Or...you could go after traffic :wink Like around 7pm or 8pm...or just stay the night :p
Rock on!

Wish I could...but both girls go to bed at 7:30/8pm. Sarah especially. The other night she fell asleep at 6pm, and aside from the normal night wakings, didn't get up till 8:30am! I'm the only one who can get her to sleep...:eyesroll

[Storm Bride]

I don't care what time it's going to be, but I do want to be able to hang around long enough to see Kazia, if she's coming.

[Ksenia]

OK, first I want to confirm the guests of honour -- tiffani, beaner&tiegs, artparent, and manaana (edited to add artparent :wink)

Second I want to propose the following schedule for the party:
3:00 PM gather at Cranberry Commons - kids can play outside or in the playroom
5:30 PM potluck dinner
6:30 PM cleanup and gather stuff and kids and think about leaving
7:00 PM everyone bye-bye

I have to be pretty hardcore about the clean-up/ending times...dh will be working that afternoon/night and my kids start to crash and burn at 7 PM and it's always a rush to get them to bed.

It sounds like the above would work for tiffani and beaner&tiegs and artparent and I've left a voice mail with mamaana to see if it works for her. I know that the timing won't work for some of you :( but I think it's important to accommodate our guests of honour who have a lot going on.

[dawncayden]

We'll be there!

[Storm Bride]

The timing sounds good to me. I'll try hard to get working on getting dd and ds2 out of there right about 6:30. As you know, it tends to take me forever to actually get them out.

[Storm Bride]

Do we want to do this as pure potluck, or try to coordinate what we're bringing?

[sea island mama]

OK, first I want to confirm the guests of honour -- tiffani, beaner&tiegs, and manaana -- am I missing anyone?? Sorry if I am :o.
Don't forget artparent!

Any time works for us. Later is probably better since dh works afternoon shift that day, anyway.

I think a pure potluck usually works out great. I often don't know until the last minute what I'm going to bring :o.

[Ksenia]

Don't forget artparent!:duh I knew that :o
can you forgive me artparent? :loveeyes:
:yawning: I am very sleep-deprived today.

[artparent]

forgiven :p

later should be alright for us...

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[beaner&tiegs]

Sounds great, we'll look forward to it!!!!!

And we may go swimming afterwards, we'll see how everyone is doing.

Thanks so much for doing this, Ksenia!!!!!!!!

[Len]

I think I can make it, but won't know for sure until next week.
Thanks for offering your place, Ksenia!

[Storm Bride]

I think a pure potluck usually works out great. I often don't know until the last minute what I'm going to bring :o.
Me, either. My meal planning has fallen back by the wayside, and I don't know what I'm going to make tomorrow, let alone next week. I'm not much of a cook, anyway.

[tiffani]

this works very well for us, and I hope it works for most everyone! sorry for those further away who it might not work for... :(

I vote for straight up potluck, and maybe people could post if they know what they'll be bringing so we don't all end up bringing dessert :wink? I think I'll bring my old standby potluck staple, quesadillas with black beans, guacamole, and salsa, because then I know there will be something my kids will eat...

I want to come, too! I'll have to check with Kazia (mirthfulmum) as she is staying at our place that night, driving down from Vernon that day, so not sure when she is planning on arriving. But if we can, we'll come!

I talked to her last week (two weeks ago now? :scratch) and she's planning to go, you just need to talk her into leaving her house a little earlier so you guys can all come to the party at a reasonable time! :wink ya hear that kazia?!? :p

[Storm Bride]

I'm not sure what I'm going to bring, but I will ask:

Do we have any vegetarians attending?
Does anybody have any food allergies?

I may end up doing one of the "side" dishes from my much-beloved curry cookbook, but I'm not sure.

[mirthfulmum]

We'll be there!
I'll figure out the details later.

[Ksenia]

:balloons: Going away party! :balloons:
:champagne where we gather to celebrate big moves and new adventures! :champagne

Here's the schedule:
Friday Aug. 29

3:00 PM gather at ... for indoor/outdoor playing and chatting
5:30 PM potluck dinner in the common house (please bring a dish to share)
6:30 PM clean up and gather stuff and kids and think about leaving
7:00 PM everyone bye-bye (I have to be pretty hardcore about the clean-up/ending times...dh will be working that afternoon/night and my kids start to crash and burn at 7 PM and it's always a rush to get them to bed. :innocent)


What to bring:
a potluck dish to share
children sometimes play with water here so a change of clothes may be handy if your child is that type
children may use the tricycles/bicycles but you may want to bring your child's helmet

Because we'll be using communal cohousing spaces, I'll be requesting the following:

try to keep track of your children (upper floors are off limits for playing)
if necessary coach riding children to slow down at stairwells and the elevator entrance
take total responsibility for your children's safety - not all play areas meet with safety standards


Look forward to seeing you here!

[Autumn Mama]

WooHoo, we'll be there!!! Looking forward to visiting with all of you who help and inspire me sooo much! :treehugger:

It is the 29th then? I'll mark it down as such...will post later on my potluck dish...off to clean up from camping!:bolt

[artparent]

thank you for hosting this ksenia, i'm so pleased that we'll get to see so many of you before we leave.

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[weliveintheforest]

I'll be there and am so excited! We have to leave before the potluck to catch a ferry, but playtime will be excellent.

[mirthfulmum]

I'm not sure what we'll be brining but it'll most likely be whatever looks good at the deli we stop at 5 minutes before we arrive.

[beaner&tiegs]

Yay, can't wait to see everyone! We'll arrive as close to 3 as possible, so that we can maximize our visiting time with everyone! And thanks again, Ksenia, for hosting this!!!!!

[Ksenia]

Autumn Mama, yes it's the 29th! I added the date :wink.

[robugmum]

Yay! I'm very excited to see everyone! Unfortunately, I will likely have to leave right around dinnertime. Dh and I have a date that night:wink:love

[tiffani]

:banana

[Ellp]

Looks like we'll be there too! It'll be so nice to see everyone again!:D

Not sure what we're bringing though...probably something toddler friendly...

[Storm Bride]

I've now meal planned for every day except Friday. I always have trouble deciding what to bring to potlucks..

[sea island mama]

I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone, too!

DD got all choked up tonight when I told her it was a going away party for three of her 'homeschool friends' :(. Even though she rarely sees them, she really enjoys their company when they are together. But then she thought about it for a few minutes & said they could keep in touch by e-mail!
I also suggested she would have someone to stay with if she was ever travelling in those parts of the world :thumb.

We'll have to exchange e-mails on Friday :).

[artparent]

aw, sea. penpals would be awesome!

so how about this liquid sunshine! ksenia, will it still fly with us all inside?

*

[Autumn Mama]

The weather forecast (http://www.theweathernetwork.com/hourlyfx/cabc0043/hourlytable/1)for Burnaby looks promising for the afternoon..

We'll come regardless, although yesterday I was sooooo tired, that my day today is going to be hectic. I tried to drive to the Aquarium, and felt like I could fall asleep! I turned back home, and tried to rest, feeling a migraine brewing...today no migraine!!! :joy:

My potluck contribution might be from Planet Organic, though. :o

[dawncayden]

I think I'm bringing something store bought :o I'm in no mood to stand and cook :innocent

I'm excited to see you all!

[mirthfulmum]

Okay, we're heading out and should be in Vancouver mid-afternoon. I'm bringing some fresh picked Armstrong Cantaloupe!

See you all soon!

[Ksenia]

ksenia, will it still fly with us all inside?We have lots of room inside so it should be OK :thumb. More lively-type kids could bring raingear and play outside for part of the time if things get too intense with the kid interactions. No worries about bringing convenience food :wink -- you are what's important.

[Ellp]

Alright, I just prepped for some Pork fried rice. See you all later!

[Storm Bride]

I've got a veggie biryani underway...more rice...

[Autumn Mama]

DS2 just picked fresh beets from the veggie patch...let's see what we come up with...:wink

Off to get DS1 from his swim lesson at the Fort Langley outdoor pool!!!

[weliveintheforest]

Cora's nose started running this morning so it looks like I won't be making it :( I may come with just ds, we are deciding...

eta:
Doesn't look like I'll make it at all :(
Have a good time!

[Piglet68]

I'm bringing a Chinese noodle salad!

[dawncayden]

Cayden napped late, and my stomach is acting up so we aren't going to make it :(
Have a good time.

[artparent]

ksenia, thanks for hosting such a sweet party. it was so great to see everyone. i'm sorry to have missed those who couldn't make it! mmm, lots of yummy food! we're really going to miss these gatherings.

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[Storm Bride]

I have to second that. Thank you so much, Ksenia. DS2 had a wonderful time, and I think dd enjoyed herself, once she warmed up a little. It was great to see everyone - it's been much too long.

[mirthfulmum]

Phew, got back to Vernon!

It was so lovely to see everyone. Boy, how time flies by. Everyone's little monkeys are getting so big!

Huge thanks to Ksenia for hosting!

[artparent]

anyone know where i can get some rain pants for my almost-3 year old?

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[mirthfulmum]

please mum (?)

[beaner&tiegs]

M.E.C. is where we usually get ours. If I can find some of Tiegan's handmedowns I'll bring them on Thur.....I'm not sure if I've already passed them on or not, but I'll look! Oh, and there's store upstairs on Granville Island that usually has rain gear and such!!!!!!

[iris lea]

hello!!
I'm looking for a babysitter. to have my 1 1/2 boy and maybe sometimes my 7 months old boy, occupied while I'm taking an advanced doula class on the internet!! I'm in fort langley. if you know anybody that would like to do that, or yourself, write me back as soon as possible.
would be at 6:00 for 2 hours every wenesday
starting 10 of septembre!!!
hope to here from some loving sitters!!!