Really bad connections.

Evening swims.

Bike riding going well for some of us...not all of us.  Oy.  Yup...he screamed all the way around the site loop.  He says no more.  Also no swimming, no dirt, no forest and no hiking.  He is enjoying his carpet time outside, lego, cars, the food and puzzles.  So, ya, Kai can suddenly do puzzles. All the kids are asking how, we're just shrugging. It's a mystery. We're missing pieces in all of them now. I'm trying to accept this.  I am a work in progress.

Max is with us for 10 nights here at Gordon Bay.  They are having a good time together.  They're both getting pretty tired. Late nights whispering into the wee hours.

The four of them playing hard in the playground.  Three of them graciously included Kai and Kai spent the whole time screaming "nah, nah, you can't catch me" with a bum wiggle and a laugh.  At no point was anyone actually chasing him.  The only wifi, cell service is between the gate house and playground so I let him torture everyone with his screaming until my game was caught up.  I'm considerate like that.  Haha.

Lazy time. Much needed.

These cuties 💓.

These cuties too 💓.

Max's private island. 

Eric had to go to town to deal with Lili's new car again and he took the boys.  Brad had to work. Penny and Brad have joined us for a couple days. So Penny and I took Max and Jia kayaking. We thought it would be easy to carry the two doubles to the lake.  It was not.  Hilarity ensued though so it was totally worth it.  We paddled against the current there and back.  Our private beach was sooo beautiful. It was a perfect day.

Afterwards I called Eric and he was able to pick up the boats for us.  Thank goodness.

Jia usually paddles alone and I usually paddle on my own with Luk.  Sharing was interesting.  Tons of laughs.

The puppies stayed in the moho.  They're pretty happy I'm back and they have a lap to snuggle on.

This happened on Saturday.

One happy girl.  Then Sunday night the car had a catastrophic happening.  Stranded the girls while telling them to pull over.  The joys.  They called Eric and he left the campsite to their rescue. They limped the car home. Today Eric went and talked to the dealer and they have already picked it up with a tow truck and are going to make it right.  Just one of those things that simply wasn't predictable.  Fingers crossed it will all work out.

Decisions

The recruiter - admissions - advisor lady from Camosun advised Lili to stay with her VIU plan. She can reapply next year if she wants to and a year of science behind her will help her get back in as well as help her with credits towards nursing, where a year of nursing won't help her in any other program.  If she decides to go back to the nursing plan she can reapply at VIU and her scholarship would cover that program as well. 

Just to Keep It Interesting

Lili got an acceptance to the 4 year nursing program at Camosun/UVIC.  She has one more day to decide.

**

Program: Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing

Dear Lili,

Congratulations on your academic achievement! On behalf of Camosun College and the University of Victoria, we are pleased to offer you conditional admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program beginning in September 2020.

**

Not sure what she will decide. It was the dream.  The science degree plan was the fall back plan and comes with a full scholarship and her courses are selected and housing is perfect and figured out.  But...nursing school was the dream.  It's within reach. We've asked her to consider accepting and giving herself a few more weeks to think about it.  Her immediate response has been to just leave things as they are.  Can you hear the clock ticking?  Haha.  It's a good problem in a day.  I had thought she could accept and gap year it but we're not sure that is an option at this school. So that is question number one for today.  

In other news. Congratulations to Lili and Fei for completing level 7 of Royal Conservatory Piano.  They are both officially in level 8 now.  Lili passed with Honors and Fei Honors with Distinction. They wanted to celebrate with Tayrex. 

Penny joined us. The food is yum. Worth a drive to Transfer Beach.  

Meili and Sasha enjoying a nice evening visit on the deck. Lots of wandering and sniffing. Coco running around them with the zoomies and wanting to play.  

A gate...not perfect yet but definitely working for holding them in! So nice.  They're all watching for Oliver and wanting him to come back.

This is weird. Came home and Eric had a surprise for me.  He took the headboard out of the moho. Repanneled in cedar and painted it. Apparently it was hollow and he was able to shove the mattress back a full six inches.  Which means more space at the foot end for walking around.  Major bonus.  How does he even think of these things?! So now I've asked for a wee shelf beside the bed so the Chihuahuas won't fall down between the nightstand and bed.  Eventually the moho will be beyond perfect ;)

National Ice Cream Day

Yesterday was Ice Cream Day.  We had friends over and Max too so ended up serendipitous with gelato from Albi. Close enough.  I can advise the peanut butter gelato ;)

Some guy time.

Epic saber fights.

Epic deaths.

Friend time.

New friend time. Kai liked playing with Silas.

Lots of puppy time.

I didn't get pool pictures.  A few of them were in there all day. 

This picture from 2014 popped up in my Facebook memories. Fun coincidence to be playing with the same kids on the same day.  Kai and Silas weren't here yet.  They're all soooo cute. 

Just another day.

Miss Lili has been car shopping.  She wanted an upgrade before leaving for University. The parking lot at her place is tight.  There has been a lot of car talk trying to discern what she wants or likes. She went with Eric today to test drive a car she's been circling.  Which she thought was ok.  Then she looked at a car the lot just got in and was intrigued.  Not at all what she was looking for of course.  Eric made a deal for her and they put a deposit on it.  It needs a repair on the touch screen before she gets it.  She did stay with Eric and was involved with her first car purchase.  2009 Volkswagen Tiquan. She is sweet.  I think she cautiously loves it.  Someone told her it looks like a Mom car.  I told her it was mature and wondered if she'd be happier in a smaller blue car.  I've assured her tonight that it's beautiful and she got a great deal.  I'm pleased with the parking assist and the 4x4 part. Pretty big deal buying your first car. Ok, it's her 2nd car but she didn't pick the first one. 

Max came for dinner and a swim.  Albi picked him up after an event so we scored some gelato for snack tonight.  

Love it. Believe or not, this is a new shot of Walter admiring Albi.  Haha.  

I've been loving some sun at the end of the day on the front porch.  Using the new camping puppy enclosure as a gate in the front.  I finally got a new phone cover in the mail.  I've been ordering them from China for a couple dollars. Jia has the same Wonka Bar cover.  So fun.  

Last Day

Eric, Fei, Jia, Kai and Luk went fun golfing. I stayed back with the pups.  

Mr didn't get many pics.

It was super hot. There wasn't much movement after lunch. Caught Eric mid yawn.

Lili was on the way.  When she finally got there we all got in the van and drove with air conditioning again.  Total wimps. Apparently none of us likes camping in the heat.  We cruised car lots. Lili wants a smaller car. 

We ended up eating dinner at the beach in Qualicum. 

Which was pretty great. Gorgeous area. Food was fabulous. Kai was letting us know he was completely DONE with holidays and wanted to go home. 

They have Dole Whip!!  Worth the drive just for that.

I took the dogs, Kai and Jia home. I had to work Thursday so it just made more sense than getting up super early. It gave Luk a chance to camp on his own with Eric :)  

Home. These two just keep getting closer and closer. It never gets old. 

More Camping Pictures

We let the boys stay up late to watch the sunset. Eric got this great picture of Al and Luk enjoying one of their deep conversations:)

Coco isn't happy until she is with her Sashy.

They made a cake for Eric.

I asked Kai to puppysit. He did a great job.

Singing "I have the feather".

Eric was gone all day and it was hot here. I texted Eric for an eta.  Told him I needed air conditioning.  Then he drove right up. Timing was hillarious. Littles and I hopped in. Maple chills from Tim's and an A & W burger and more importantly a nice cool down in the car and a pleasant walk after dinner along the Parksville walkway. 

Thelonious and Teddy with Al. Thelonious is a brother to Sasha and Coco.  

When you and your Dad stay up and wait out the boys falling asleep so you can have smores just the two of you :)

Completed on his own!

Found this on Eric's phone. The girls and I must have been pretty crashed to not wake up to someone taking our picture.  Haha.

Glow swords.  

Photo cred to Fei.