Bunchland families could teach you a thing or two about playing. You see, for them, hangtime is serious business. We ask families about their top five ways they have fun together and get an amazing illustrator to draw them, and we get blown away every time.
- CITY: Ajax, Ontario
- OUR BUNCH: Marta, 31, web designer and developer/stay-at-home mom. Jay, 30, automotive technician. Ruben (Bennie), 3, charismatic car lover. Joaquin (Keens), 10 months, jolly taster of new foods.
Marta and Jay met on a message board eight months before they met in real life. When they finally did, they were married four short months later. Marta describes their insanely good-looking kids as “mutts,” as they are a mixture of Mexican, American, Dutch and Canadian. Their family playtimes are full of indecision and ants-in-the-pants syndrome: so many fun things to do, the only problem is where to start!
Dancing: From a very young age, Bennie has been a huge fan of music. If he had a top three song list, it would be 1. Rihanna’s “Umbrella” 2. Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender” and 3. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” He has good rhythm, and we encourage his dancing often. (I used to breakdance, so it’s not hard to get me on the dance floor with him!)
Baking: Bennie loves measuring and pouring. He is a natural baker! We like to make cupcakes and brownies, but his favourite are chocolate chip cookies. Yum!
Cars: The mechanic in Bennie’s blood (Daddy is an Audi tech) is evident with how much he loves to play with his dinky cars. It is easily the most fun activity he shares with his dad. They make tunnels out of different objects in Bennie’s room, including books!
Reading: Bennie enjoys a good book to wind down. His favorites are Brown Bear Brown Bear and any of Dick Bruna’s Miffy books.
Ball sports: Keens and Bennie both enjoy playing basketball! They also like playing catch/bump with blown-up balloons. We also have a beanbag toss game that they enjoy. It is so much fun now that Keens is old enough to participate in our activities!
About the Illustrator
J. Ryan Halpenny is an art director who has worked on such films as the upcoming Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. He is also a highly in-demand show poster designer in his hometown of Toronto.
Links:
Bennie gets down at a Bunch event
How does your family get jiggy with it? Tell us the top five ways your family plays together. Our pool of talented artists are standing by, just waiting to draw your family. Email amanda@bunchfamily.ca
