I lied, we have one reservation, on the ferry. Jia is asking "where are we going?" over and over again. I have no answers. Can you tell we're doing this Eric's way?!
We made it to the ferry check in too early so we've found a lovely little playground-park by the water.
Luk has a lot of appts. I get calls telling us who when and where. So I was trying to send Eric to this appt. today to the urologist on his own. Mom thought I should go, good thing because it was to a neurologist not a urologist! Big difference! ! Finally a Dr. to figure out the whole picture! She has ordered a MRI (sedated) of his head and his spine. Finally. Such a relief. Important to have a base point for when things turn. She is going to set him up with Children's Spina Bifida clinic too. To make things easier for when things turn. He could easily need a new shunt or have his spine tether one day. She felt his leg use was unusually good. He is weak but movement is normal. She's put him on daily fibre. Hard to dose kids with sb and get it right. So, we're starting daily laxitive on day one of the holiday! Yikes. I gave him the first dose at bedtime but I split it in half. The appointment was an hour. A LOT of questions. I'm glad I took the day off and was there.
Jia stayed with Gramma so the rest of us had a nice peaceful drive and late lunch at Spaghetti Factory. Gramma helped Jia set up a lemonade stand. She's been talking about wanting a stand to sell things for two days so she was simply delighted about her stand today. Plus she made real money for pretend lemonade!
We took the long scenic route home and at Cattle beach we found a piano set up. Very cool. We stopped to listen to a lady play but she was just finishing up so Lili and Fei had a turn. A few people gathered and one gentleman was asking questions about composers and their lessons. He praised each of them and clapped loudly. Then he sat and played. Wow. Very accomplished. The piano wasn't great but the setting, oh my, breath taking. Lili and Fei sat watching him in awe. A bliss moment. He suggested we find 'Elton'. We drove further and found piano #3 (Elton) by the yacht club. Lili got in the car and said talking to him was like being in a secret club :) Love.
Against all odds we're almost ready to take off on the big road trip. 10 days, no reservations and not much for plans past the first couple days! Not even sure which direction we're going! Wherever there is no fire...sad state here in BC.
It's great having a house / pet sitter but it does add the ordeal of getting ready. Not very nice for her if we leave messes every where.
Countdown to Taylor is on big time.
I'm done with work. Off to Victoria tomorrow for Luk's first urologist appointment.
Batman and Bonnie went back to Cowichan Cat Rescue today. They are both big enough to be spayed and neutered and then onto their own families. They grew so much in three weeks. We could see changes in them daily. I'm proud of how great the kids were about taking them back. I thought there would be tears and begging to keep them. They only asked will we get more when we're back. Yes, yes we will get more. Already looking forward to it.
Getting the house and pets ready for our house sitter. Month end at work. Getting the motor home ready. Doing laundry so we can pack. Luk finally seeing a urologist this week. Last minute projects on the motor home.
Eric and I don't remember 'packing' when it was just us. Now packing for six just always feels like such a huge job.
Our schedule this week is loaded. Can't wait for that moment when you're on the ferry and the holiday can officially start.
Big girls and I got matching tanks tonight and then spent the evening painting them. Hopefully TS sees them ;) Jia and I finished ours and went to bed. Lili and Fei stayed up working on theirs.
Eric built a bunk bed for Lili in the moho. It stores behind the couch. Very cool and extremely impressive. Luk might get to move out of the bath tub one day after all.
Rcmp started an investigation today about all the missing cats in the cul de sac where Eugene went missing. I miss him sooo much. I was able to put people in touch yesterday and help get Boots back to her house. One of the five is home. Sure wish it was our boy!
The novelty of trains never dies here. Kids and I went to the discovery center today. They were calling for rain but we managed to ride the train, play at the playground and run around some trails before it started. Some days are more blissful than others. Bigs were super helpful and mindful of the Littles, the Littles were extremely well behaved and minded me and the Bigs. Rare. We even managed a nice lunch out. No issues and everyone happy. Ahhh.
Eric went with Bill and Malcolm to an antique bike show. Funny that they posed for pics by a boat. ;)
Mom and Leslie came over for a visit in the afternoon. Leslie had a ton of little toys for Jia and Luk, they were absolutely delighted. Kept them busy for hours! She also brought an alphabet 'train' toy, Luk's eyes lit up and he claimed it immediately. Love.
Lili and Fei were babysitting Teddy (friends dog) over the weekend. He is a pomchi, total doll, we all enjoyed him. Isabel was great with him, she layed down and let him crawl all over her. Lacie graciously let him follow me with her. I think she enjoyed his company.
Eric put new tires on the motor home. We don't know how old the old tires are. I'm still struggling with the cost, tires are just not that fun. Happy Mr. is looking out for our safety though. Now it's time to get packed for our road trip. Taylor Swift next Saturday. We've never done more than three nights in the motor home. We have no plans or reservations, a true road trip adventure. The original plan was to head to a kangaroo farm in Kelowna but there is a huge fire in the area so we'll see.
I put temp color in the kids hair the other day. Fei took pics of Jia getting her color in. Just found them on Eric's phone. It was fun but too temperary. Also it didn't show much in all their black hair. Luk was first with blue bangs and sooo excited. He loves all beautification treatments. Lili also had blue. Purple for Fei and both for Jia.
Quiet weekend at home so far. We needed it.
Had some friends come to play. Once again the weather turned and we didn't use the pool or the deck. Weird.
Everyone left and we went to find Luk to put him to bed and he had already put himself to bed! Cutest kid ever.
Still no word on Eugene. Foster kittens are still here if any one wants to come over for some kitten holding therapy.
I took the littles to a pancake breakfast and then to the parade. Eric took the four big girls canoeing and swimming.
Hot for all of us today.
Still no Eugene. No time to go looking with extra kids here.
The girls are all in the pool while Luk and I lay low until snack and bed time.
First, Eugene is still missing. Night 9. I miss him sooo much.
Last night we went to play in a park and Mr. Luk showed us he can climb! Heart stopping. He was so proud.
Still no word on Eugene. Going mental, exhausted and sick of going to Ladysmith twice a day.
We're officially kitten tamers with our first foster kitties. Meet Batman and Bonnie.
