Vancouver Mom to Follow: Andrea Bell of Paper Clouds Project
Andrea Bell is this week’s Vancouver Mom to Follow. She is a mother of three inquisitive and courageous kids, married to an Irishman, and a newly published author. She lives in East Van, where she’s all about picking a song for the family to dance around the kitchen too. A momtrepreneur with a secret passion for creating animal cakes, she has over a decade of experience as a wellness clinic owner, corporate sales and a zealous health advocate. Most recently, she co-founded the Paper Clouds Project, a company set up to combine science with creativity in a series of research-based kids mental wellness books. Polly & Pickles – The Quest for Rest is the first book in the series.
Vancouver places Andrea likes to go with her family
Ambleside Park
If you have kids of different ages, this is the best park ever. We escape here almost weekly in the summer. Start at the all-wood playground and outdoor xylophone. Bring bikes or roller blades and cruise on over to the skate park. There’s a beautiful beach for a picnic!
Seawall
If you’re having an “I need some mama time with my girls” moment, renting tandem bikes on the seawall is one of the best girls’ day out ideas I’ve found. (It’s also a perfect 40th birthday shenanigan … ) Quickly burn off energy and have a laugh? That’s a win-win.
Golden Ears Provincial Park
My favourite camping destination is close to the city (in case you need to pick something up) yet peaceful. The skies are filled with eagles and the water is warm. The beach doesn’t fill up till around 11 or noon, so our family of early risers has it to ourselves!
Dubh Linn Gate Pub
We go on family date nights at least once a month. Everyone gets dressed up and off we trot until the first meltdown. ☺ Our local family friendly pub, where my Irish husband can have a Guinness and we can enjoy some Irish music, is Dubh Linn Gate. @Dublinngate
Platform 7 Coffee – Hastings
This is my go-to cafe with the kids after a swim at Templeton Pool or shop at Donald’s. The interior reflects a train station! The coffee is strong; the baking to die for. Staff are super kid-friendly. Thanks to the music, it never feels like the kids are too loud.
Mexico, Cancun
Our #1 family vacation spot. Sun, water, no Wi-Fi—oh my! The highlight this year was my treat to our family: a horseback riding trip. I also loved soaking up my kids’ awe at the sunrise and witnessing a mama sea turtle make her way into the Caribbean Sea!
Be sure to follow Andrea!
