Saying goodbye to Lola.

She was such a sweet rattykins.   Much loved by us all.  She loved to cuddle and was a wonderful sister to Lea.  Always so hard.  This part is the worst.  Lea is visably upset and is searching for Lola.  They were almost never separated.   We're off camping tomorrow and we were planning to leave them with Scott but now that Lea is alone we're thinking it's just not a good idea to leave her alone so she will come with us in the travel cage.  This will be quite the trip.  Our four kids, James (from Beijing), two dogs, one kitten and a rat. 

I've set Eugene up to sleep with Fei tonight.   Hopefully he can keep her mind off of her little Lola.

Spider!

My camping, outdoorsy girls brought down by a spider.  Shame.  Wish this was a little kid phase.  Sigh.

The ALS water bucket challenge.

I'd prefer the water bucket thing was a challenge to donate to the charity of everyone's choice.  But... the world just won't do things my way ;)  The girls were happy to join in the fun.  The pictures are hilarious.

HitchBot

Eric took the kids yesterday to meet Hitchbot!  So cool.  She made it hitch hiking from Nova Scotia to Victoria.  I loved watching her journey and I was happy for the kids that they could be a small part of it. 

My new cat!!

I'm a cat person.  I've always been a cat person and I've had some great cats through the years but I've been catless for years. 

Jenny is all about Lili and only Lili.   Lewis is four and he is still  pretty ferral.  Not a house pet by any means.  I've only seen him once in the last month, he came in, saw us and turned around and fled back outside.  So, I've been mumbling for years about wanting my own cat.  I hinted heavily around my birthday and our anniversary but Eric was firm that when one cat or dog dies another one can come in. 

Then this morning at breakfast out of the blue Eric said that Lewis wasn't really a pet and said that Mom should get a cat.  Fei was ON IT immediately.   I said no rescues, no ferrals.   And in a perfect world one that looked like my Silo.  I was partial to any siamese,  himilayan, burmese, ragdoll or combination.   Fei went online and yelled out that she found a himilayan ragdoll in Duncan.  I took one look at the first kitten she found and said 'yes, I want that kitten'.  I called, the owner called right back and at 1, our troop converged on her house just a few blocks away and we met my new cat.  Awww.  He is so stinkin' sweet.  First picture is the one we saw online.

No name yet.  Our list so far is Eugene, Marvin, Joe (Jojo) or Wallace.  I get the final say because he is MINE.  I'm open to more suggestions.

Oh and Mr. Eric is smitten, he bought him a toy when he got kitten chow and litter and then he told me that the kitten has his eyes.  ;)

Such fun.

All the kids were asking this morning what we were going to do today.  Rare Sat. at home.  Bet they didn't see a new kitten coming their way!

Jenny's Gift

When we return home, Jenny brings Lili gifts.  Usually birds or mice, last time was a bat and this time a frog!  Eric found him in the dining room.  He gets to stay over night so Luk can see him.  Jia made his cage and he  has already escaped.  Eric had to capture him again.  There was lots of screaming from all three girls.  I was laughing pretty hard.  Don't you all wish you could live here for a while?!  I've gone to bed.  I sure hope Toby the frog is in his cage when I get up.

Camping with Gramma and Grampa

Kids were delighted to be camping with Gramma and Grampa.  They took the motorhome and we have the trailer.  Caravan travel day!  We started at a mall and then onto a night market where the kids got air brushed tattoos.  Then onto our first stop where we camped in a double and got to use the new propane camp fire for the first time.  LOVE it!! Not sure we'll ever light a real fire again.  I'm sold.  We even set it up under our awning for a couple nights.  Very cozy.

Next day we stopped for lunch in Qualicum and then onto Miracle Beach.  Mom and Dad seemed to settle into the motorhome ok.  The dogs are having fun.  We got a nice day at the beach together.  Yesterday was rainy all day.  Yuk.  I know we need it but with four kids in the trailer it's too much.  Well actually Jia in the trailer all day is too much ;)  Mom and I took the three girls into Campbell River for the afternoon.  We went to Walmart where we were able to get a motorized scooter for Mom.  Got the girls their new pencil bags and new school supplies.  At least made our time a bit productive.

Now we have a nice sunny day again.  Planning to play at the beach after lunch.  Mom and Dad are leaving today.  We had a hard time getting the motorhome going this morning.  Battery issue.  Praying they make it home ok in the big rolling turd (Robin Williams,  RV).