Lili's canoe trip.

She is a bit traumatized.  She tells us little bits at a time.  Can't say she had a good time.  There were moments she enjoyed.  Lots she didn't love.  She doesn't regret going.  She is certain the memories will stay with her.  She is glad to be home.  She has no plans to do such a trip ever again.  She admitted to the group that she prefers rv camping.

I'm hoping for pictures one day.

Spilled milk.

The boys aren't allowed to take their food to the table or take their dirty dishes to the kitchen unless they're completely empty.  It's just almost never a good idea.  I know the argument for how will they learn.  Trust me we're working on skills.  There are just so many that are more important.  Wasted food on the floor especially when there isn't replacements and the mess.  Oh the mess.  There just isn't enough time to wash the floor so often.

So, this morning Luk ate cereal and didn't drink the left over milk.  He thought he'd bring his bowl to the kitchen. Instead it was totally dumped on Isabel.  Who leapt up trying to twist around to see and it's dripping all over as she moves.  I'm telling her to sit.  Luk is in her way.  Kai is sitting beside her playing with duplo.  Then she did the dog thing and shook.  Ug.  I stood helpless while I watched her spray milk in a six foot arc.  Over both boys, the table, their stools, my desk, the duplo, the floor and the new couch. Then Luk stepped in the puddle with sox on and I told him to stop and take them off which was upsetting to him so he went down the hall, taking his wet milk prints across the kitchen and onto the wood floor. Kai had no clue anything happened and was still just playing.  

This is my life.

Izzy just had a bath and now she needs another one.  I normally stay home until the kids are out the door.  Today was too much.  I left them.  Made it to work on time today.  Brownie points to Eric for dealing calmly with the mess while encouraging me to just go.

Outward Bound

Lili was offered an amazing opportunity last week.  Three kids dropped out of an Outward Bound Canada 5 day Canoe trip.  She stepped in.  It was a scramble to clear her schedule and get her equipped properly.  This morning was the launch. Yay.  Oh I hope she has a fabulous time!  Praying the nice weather holds.  More prayers she can physically do this.  Such a brave girl!  Her first time doing leave no trace camping.  They loaded all their gear, food and water in the canoes.  We didn't stay long enough to get any pictures of them in the water.  One teacher, an Outward Bound guide, a female chaperone and nine kids.  All grade 11 & 12.  5 boys, 4 girls. 

They each have a floating watertight barrel for their gear.

When we returned to Cowichan Bay to drop Fei at work we could see some dots.  Eric drove us further down so I could get a picture.  

So exciting...there they are!

Futon Building

Wayfair

I ordered a couch for the sun room.  Price was great.  We're mystified how a full couch can be in that odd shaped box.  The boys furniture has been moved out and they're loving all the floor space to sprawl with Isabel.  No clue when we'll have time to build the couch.  Perhaps we'll sit on the box.  Hahaha.

Lili is going on a 5 night canoeing/no trace camping trip.  Through leadership.  Last minute.  We're scrambling to gather supplies.  In the last 24 hours we have the list under control.  Now to pack. 

Little Guest

We ended up with an unneutered male cat that was rescued.  We moved him to our chicken coop. The SPCA and animal shelter aren't taking cats in right now.  Which is going to mean more and more dumped cats. I had a friend looking for a cat very specifically like him.  We didn't know if he was tame.  Next morning I went in the coop.  He jumped into my arms and was a total doll.  Just like that.  I was able to scrub him everywhere, hold his paws, get between his toes and hold him on his back.  Crazy.  He's gorgeous, he's talkative and he still plays.  Christina came to meet him and it was love at first sight. He went home with her and she managed to get him neutered yesterday.  He's one happy little guy to be rescued. She's sending me tons of updates and videos.  Feels good to be a part of the match.  Also a tad sad to not have kept him.  He is a pretty cool cat.  We think he's a lynx point bengal.  Had he stayed with us his name would have been Levi.  Eric and girls are all so surprised that I let him go.  Just didn't feel ready.  We don't 'need' another cat.  I'm still feeling raw about Lacie being gone.  We still have to trap the other one...

Looking scared in the coop.

Jia adored him.

Big girls wanted to keep him badly.

Lili plunked him on his back immediately.

It was love at first sight.

One happy new cat Mama.

She named him Kizmet. He's adorable.

Snow. What?!

Max was with us for a whole day.  I thought it would be fun for them to get in a decent bike ride.  So we debated all the different trails and finally settled on going to Lake Cowichan.  Nice walk for the boys and I to the river while Eric rode with Max and Jia.  We got there and it was crazy cold.  We headed back to the car earlier than planned and while we were loading bikes and the wheelchair the snow just dumped on us!  Some flakes, some ice chunks.  Total deluge.  Hillarious.  Meanwhile, it was a gorgeous summer day at home!

Max finally has a phone replacement.

They are back to chatting for crazy lengths of time.

Heaven only knows why kids won't use a house phone anymore.

Reminds me of fighting my brother for phone time and long cords pulled tight to get some privacy.  I'm not sure the kids believe me when I tell them how we did things.  They can't get past "there was no wifi?!"