Sochi Success

In the last couple weeks all of us at West Richmond watched as the Sochi Olympics took place live in Russia. In the child care program we tried to put on our T.V to showcase some of the events in the mornings. We watched as the kids cheered Canada on in all kinds of events such as bobsledding, skiing, curling and many others. When the kids were asked if they had any favorite events many answered with hockey after watching both the Canadian men and women winning gold medals. During the pro-d day we kept the Olympics on a screen for the children to come watch as they pleased. Many of them enjoyed watching the skeleton and luge runs, although they said that those kinds of sports would be too scary to try themselves. Overall the kids enjoyed cheering on the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics whenever able.

-Aislinn

Family Day Celebrations

Last Monday, BC observed our second official Family Day! The purpose of this newly recognized statutory holiday is just as it sounds; Family Day is meant to give families an opportunity to spend an extra day with each other. In conjunction, there were many  free or discounted events being held all over the lower mainland to help make the most of this day, including West Richmond's own Family Day fest! Gemma, Aislinn and I helped out last Saturday, February 8th, in lieu of the holiday, manning the DIY button making station and the ever-popular balloon animal station. The community centre was offering finger foods, free coffee courtesy of Steveston Coffee Co., an open gym, Wii games, and free drop in classes in the multi-purpose room. The turnout was impressive, I think Gemma counted that over 100 buttons had been made!! Not to mention our cramped hands after dozens of balloon puppies and swords!

Some other events that were being held on Family Day were free skating at the Robson Square outdoor skating rink and a post-game autograph session and live entertainment and games at the Vancouver Giants game. 

Ultimately, who's to say that Family Day can't be celebrated on any other day?! Family day can be a trip to your neighbourhood park on a Saturday or a pizza dinner and movie! 

-Sara E

Playground Fun

Despite some foggy days and the ever-expected rain shower, we've been really lucky with the weather lately! This is huge help for Junior OSC because we can take the kids out to the playground for a good romp. There's something about the playground that the gym doesn't have, oh yeah, fresh air! While the gym is fun for organized games like soccer and floor hockey - which is very popular among the boys (and a few girls), the playground is where the kids' imaginations really run wild. Of course the kids enjoy a classic game of tag, grounders, hide and seek, or just making use of the park apparatus, but they've also gotten creative in inventing their own make believe games too. Many times I have been invited to play a game of 'Harry Potter' with authentic wood wands, spells and secret headquarters. I've also come across the game 'Puppies and Kitties', 'Petshop' and 'Restaurant'. It's really entertaining and also kind of satisfying to see them exercise their creativity; they put so much thought into their games, they cooperate and compromise usually without any help from leaders at all. It's good to see that in an age of electronics being the primary means for entertainment for kids, our kids would often enjoy going to the park. 

Have a great day, West Richmond families! 

- Sara E.

A game of 'Puppies & Kittens'!

KIDS KORNER

Ever wonder what kids think about REAL issues?

This week in KIDS KORNER:  "If you could have any SUPER POWER what would it be and Why??"

Here are some of the wise responses...

Kaden- "skiing power, because I went skiing yesterday"

Jaelyn- "force field and invisibility, because its from the Incredibles and I like Violet"

Sean- "flower power, because then I can make flowers everywhere"

Angel- "rainbow looms, I could just put my hands out and it would be rainbow looms"

Chris- "lazer beam, so I have eyes that can see through stuff"

Livia- "if I touch anything it could turn into ice cream, because I wouldn't have to ask my parents"

Malia- "force, because I love Star Wars"

Trenton- "making stuff free, cause some stuff is really expensive"

Tune in next time for another gripping edition of KIDS KORNER.

If you have an questions you think we should ask the children on KIDS KORNER, please leave them in the comments below.

-Jason