Pride!

We're off to the Pride parade in Victoria!  First time for half of us.

We opted not to take the boys for various reasons, the top one being the heat. So they spent the day with Gramma.

We were there nice and early.  We had a great spot near the beginning.

There were estimates of 30,000 people there.

The parade was about an hour.  It wasn't boring.  At the end the crowd was moving as a wave after the parade, we sat still for a minute and then worked our way in the opposite direction.  We didn't experience crowds at all.  

We tried a different spot in Chinatown. It was ok but we're all agreed we're heading back to the other noodle house next time. Jia was a bit perturbed there were no soup dumplings.  I still can't taste anything so it doesn't matter much for me.  The not tasting things is definitely getting old.  

What great kids. Jade just fits right in.

The BC Museum is open.  Only $5. Just the first two floors are open.  Our first time back in years so we were all excited.  Plus it's air conditioned.

Never gets old.

Lots of conversation about the museum and their desire to erase history. For the record we hate the idea. Yes there were atrocities. Ignoring them doesn't erase it. Then we went into the current new display. Stories of how the Japanese were treated in BC during the war.  Very eye opening for the girls.

Lots and lots of talking points.

And horror. These are signatures from people petitioning for no Asian person to ever own land.

Lili made a reservation for the Spaghetti Factory.  There is no air conditioning there, it was crazy hot.  Food was good though. The place was packed.

We ended the day with a wee walk in James Bay.

We came home to this. 

Jia has been bugging me for months for Doc Martens. She finally got them today with her own money. $200 for an uncomfortable boot that will get seriously marked up. I tried to talk her out of this.  I really, really tried.  Natural consequences will take over now. 

Last Day of School!

We celebrated the last day of school with ice cream at the farmers market.  I'm insanely excited to be done with school.  For all the reasons. Jia didn't want to come. Lili was at work. 

We dropped in on Dawn-Marie earlier in the week.  We visited the chickens, toured the garden and sat by the fire in the hidden gazebo.  So nice. 

His little lips.  Swoon.  

Eric's new toy. A gas hedger. Finally. He normally rents one two or three times a year.  We were a bit hidden on the porch by the overhrown hedge. We're exposed now but at least we can see out better.

Spider removal happened on the deck today.  We're super close to lounging out there.  The dogs were thrilled to have the doors open.

You just never know what the thrift store will provide. I got it for the back deck. 

Loving the sun!  Jenny didn't get any good news with her tests. She has five meds to deal with currently.  We're moving into comfort care with our old girl.  Opting for nothing invasive.  She looks good and is already more spry with the shot for arthritis. 

We've made a feast of a salad for dinner tonight. There were English peas at the market.  No one has to set an alarm tomorrow! They boys have a play date with a new kid from a support group on Saturday. The Victoria Pride parade is on Sunday

I'm having my eyes checked tomorrow and picking up the ingredients for dumplings. Lili wants us to celebrate all of us home and on summer holidays. Except for those pesky work hours ;)

Jann Arden

Oh my GOSH!! Such a fabulous show.  I feel privileged to have been in a room listening to her voice. 

Eric and I love her TV show.  She's hilarious. Turns out she was just as funny on stage.

We totally forgot when the show was. I told Eric a couple days ago that I felt like I was forgetting something.  I saw Jann on Facebook and looked up when her show was. Yup. Tonight.  Haha. Eric had to cancel other plans. Luckily Fei was home to babysit. I'd have preferred some anticipation time but a couple hours notice was good too.  

He wanted to see her tour bus afterwards. It's definitely impressive!.

Miss Jenny was at the vet today. She has a teeny tumor on her eye.  She's 15.  We're to watch the tumor for changes.  She's lost a pound so blood work and urine tests being done to check for renal failure.  Ear drops for yeast in her ears. Flea/tick/worm meds. And finally a shot of pain killer that lasts a month for her back leg stiffness. Getting old sucks.  We were told that overall she's in great shape.  Lili however is still distraught. Jenny was pretty much unconcerned about her big adventure today.  Easy going with the Dr and techs.

Tree planting day.

I can't believe Eric managed this on his own.

Kai actually did markedly better on our weekend away.  That said, he was still pretty happy to be home. Now the lessons on "how to sit" can continue ;)

Eric's Father's Day

We left at 10 and arrived at Montanas around 2:30.  An uneventful drive.  Just the way we like them.  Oh, we did see a cayote. 

Montanas gave Eric a gift.

We got an hour and a half in the mall.  There were people there!!  We've never been there when it's busy.

Finally a Hot Topic stop.

Eric took the boys for a wander to Cabelos.

Lili and Fei took off to shop on their own.  Jia and I were last back to the car.  There were 25 people in line ahead of us in the Urban Planet line.  

We've eaten a very light snack/dinner on the ferry.  Getting close to seeing the fur babies.  The boys are opting out of sports day at school tomorrow so they have another day off.