Not a bday gift.

 

Look what my Mommy bought me NOT for my bday in 12 days.  Because we don't do gifts anymore ;)

Rechargeable hand warmers!!!

They get nice and super toasty.

Year end boxes.  Someone is a bit miffed they're on her bed.

Fei is in Hawaii!!

She is there with a girlfriend.  Their flight was delayed a few hours so they arrived to their hotel in the wee hours.  Look how gorgeous at night!

Even better in the morning.

They got a spectacular sunset at the Seattle airport while they were waiting.  Today they are exploring and set up some tours.  She reports it's warm and it smells tropical.  

I sure wish I was there.

Look what I found in our weekly thrift foray.  It needed a new plug.  

Mister got right on it.

Then we were all delighted to see that it works. The Dragon/Phoenix parts have little flashing lights in them, the inside part turns and lights up as well.  For $15 it really is quite spectacular.  I'm not sure it will fit in the Lunar New Year decoration shelves though.  He hung it where our xmas tree goes every year.

We made it out for a walk along the dyke on Sunday.  It was cold but gorgeous out there.  We made it to the bird sanctuary and called Eric for a ride home.  Hand warmers sure would have been nice ;)  Eric and the teens declined going outside.

I got a bee costume for Coco for 50 cents but it's a bit small on her.  It was cute for a few seconds.

Busy days.  If we can get Jia to school tomorrow it will be 3 full weeks without too much fuss.  

Mom and I went to an $8 matinee on Tuesday.  We saw the last showgirl.  I left with more questions that weren't really answered with an internet search later.  Pamela and Jamie Lee were both amazing.  Not sure I can recommend the movie but it held our attention. And again...I'm just thrilled to have our theater back in town.  The new owners are doing a great job.  Hand warmers would have been great in the theater too.

Enough procrastinating.

Back to work.

Update.

Lili just went upstairs and found Esmei in one of the boxes finally.  Haha.

Back on the trails.

 

6 vehicles out together on the trails.

So fun.

The winch project.

All done.

This shakey picture is by Eric.  We wheeled for 6 hours today.  I got to do the last hour and a half.  Nothing too scary.  Lots of skinny, bumpy trails with massive puddles and a couple straddling moments.  I might be hooked.  It's possible I have huge regret at letting Eric have Oscar.  I'm not ready for Onyx to get scratched up.

Weird thing, when you come across another car/truck you just squeeze on by but if it's Jeeple, you must stop and chat.

The views.  Sigh.

We live in such a beautiful place.

Hanging with my new friend Moo. 

It doesn't look insane in the pictures but standing there watching it looks completely impossible.  Oscar just walks up there.

Amy running to catch a ride with Eric.  Her hubby was uncomfortable with this run.  Me too!  

Made it of course.

Eric took all of the opportunities to push boundaries.  I spent a good amount of time shivering outside watching.

Clay bed playground.  Interestingly Eric declined playing in here.  I know he's planning to go back, perhaps with less of an audience.

The beginning.

Some of us are already planning to head back out together next Saturday.

Home to this crew.  Warm, happy and fed.  They all declined heading out on an adventure today.  We tried.

Summer Holiday - Booked

 Drum roll.  It's wayyy too exciting here.  Bucket list all the way.  It's so great to have a plan.

We are finally doing it.

Going to San Joseph Bay!!!!

I'm way, way too excited.

We booked the Cluxewe Resort in August for five nights with full hook ups.  Total luxory for us.

Sooo many day trips planned for the end of the island.  The kids have never been.  Eric and I camped at Broughten Point a zillion years ago with his parents and we're decently sure this might be the same place with a new name.  Ocean on one side, estuary and river on the other.  

The best part...

Three other families booked with us.

A bucket list adventure with friends.

In other news. Jia suddenly, like a switch went off, became the perfect kid. Total compliance. Up and on time for everything for a whole week. Eating with us.  Chatting.  Happy. Going to school and work willingly. Sleeping at night. It's like living in a parallel universe.  Where the possibilities of peace and tranquility are possible.  So of course, I don't trust this new found perfect world and have to worry it to death and haven't been sleeping. Collective prayers please that the new found way of life can continue for Jia.

Fei jaunted off to Seattle for a couple days for a friends Birthday.  They had a great time.  I wasn't sent pictures ;)

Lili has decided to live with her friend Devon so they are looking for a place together.  We're delighted she is choosing to live with a friend versus a total stranger for a roommate.

Eric is close to having Oscar done.  He's been driving the Commander and the other day he referred to it as his. Uh.  No.  Haha.  I'm having a hard enough time sharing.

Last week the boys were on another lock down.  Suspected gunman spotted near Cow High.  Their campus was closed too. The boys didn't even know.  However Luk reported one of his classmates brought a chain to school, wrapped it around his hand and beat on another kid so badly he was sent to the hospital.  I have no idea how much truth there is to any of that.  Times have changed and not for the better.  My instinct was to go get them.  But, couldn't, lock down.  So I drove the long way home from dropping Jia at school because I didn't want to run across the gunman.  Who wasn't found.  That I know of.

Eric has been obsessed with watching the California fires.  We were just there, we drove through the whole area.  

I also have started looking at the summer camping schedule. It's not time to book just yet but a plan helps with looking.  It was time to plan spring break though.  I booked Alice Lake for 3 nights and made a ferry reservation.  So it's a start.  

New Year Happenings

 

Lili is doing some remote work days.  She is set up in the guest room.  It was a bit weird both of us at desks on Friday.  She is logged in and doesn't have the freedom I do for naps, movies, snacks and puppy playtime ;)

In other Lili news she is thinking about moving out on her own and is looking.  So that's fun for her.  

We were out running errands so managed to sneak a lunch out and went to try the Dragon Juan's new place.  Fresh, good and huge portions.  We brought half home and Lili claimed it immediately.  Leftovers are a hot commodity here these days.

Finn went for his yearly vet check.  I was concerned his vision is worse and she confirmed it indeed is.  We're upping his meds to see if that helps reduce pressure.  He was pretending to sleep in my arms while we were there and was quite unhappy about being prodded. She was afraid of him.  Haha.  Made me lift his gums for her.  He was grumbly but he didn't bite ;)  I did tell her he's wee and weak, his bites are pretty harmless.  This same vet has told me to put him down twice before, she definitely seems doubtful that he has quality of life and asked lots of questions.  So odd to me to assume that he has no quality of life because he isn't easily trained.  He trained us to do his bidding instead and we happily cater to him.  Pretty clever.  Also...he gained a pound...little gaffer is 7lbs!!  We laughed when we took him outside, he was quite perplexed by rain on his head and face.  

I bought our tickets for a Lunar New Year event.  I think the bulk of our group is skipping this one.  If anyone wants to join us we'd love to see you there.  We love how celebratory this one is and it's a great chance to see the lions up close without being outside.  I went on Temu today and ordered the family some matching shirts to wear.  

I didn't consult with the family.  It was another shopping rabbit hole.  It was fun in the moment but I do have some shopping regret already.  I won't be forcing anyone to wear them.  Options are good. They don't have the year or snake on them so can be used for other years or events.  You wouldn't believe how many Lunar New Year shirts Temu has!

We're in our last couple days off before it's back to school.  No one is looking forward to that.

Miss Fei has applied to Camosun/Uvic for the bridge gap program to BSN.  So we wait and see if she is accepted.  It's competitive to get in.  I fear she will be looking to move out too if she gets in.  And in more fun news she is off to Hawaii this month with a friend.  I still haven't been to Hawaii so I'm a tad jealous and will be living vicariously through her.

I'm feeling better.  My ongoing bumbalarie problem is resolving nicely.  I am laying low today and soaking in the hot tub lots to make sure I'm on the right path before I head right back into over doing it again ;)

  There is snow in the mountains and I REALLY want to be out in Oscar playing but he's still in the garage in pieces while Eric installs the winch. 

Hello 2025

I way overdid New Years Eve day.  So I was stuck to the couch for the celebrations.  Thank you Shannon for graciously hanging out with me.  Of course the babies love it when I spend extended time with them.  I do not care for being sidelined.  At all. 

We just had one other family over for our traditions.  It was quiet and fun.

Eric and Ken took over kitchen duty.  They served yummy dinner, snacks and breakfast.

Gobsmacked.

Kai was playing Monopoly!  Like for real playing.

Delivery service with a smile :)

Shannon's picture.  It captured the whole essence of the night perfectly.

Lili and Fei ate dinner with us then Lili took off to celebrate with friends and Fei went to work.

Eric, Gramma and Ken took four of the kids to see Sonic 3 on New Years Day.  I'm still so thrilled to have our little theater back. Shannon and I took a wee drive to Chemainus to drive by a house coming up for sale by Dawn-Marie.  It's not the pretty yellow one with all the gingerbread that I love so it was easy to say nope, we'll just stay where we are.  I mean, who am I kidding, we hit 20 years in our house this past Dec. we're apparently never leaving.

We'll see what 2025 has in store for us.

Jia's 15th Birthday.

 

Jia wanted a shopping day so Gramma and I gave Jia money and five of us headed to the mall.  1st stop ear piercing.  Jia has been asking for years and years and years.  This wasn't a plan, total spur.  

So happy. It apparently didn't hurt that much.

We all had a pleasant few hours.  Jia got some Puma sneakers, a couple shirts, a fleece blanket, a pair of earrings and a set of Manga books.  It's always fun watching kids pick things out.

Then we stopped to see May and meet Mary's new baby.  9mo old poodle named Jax.  He is a total doll.  Puppy time of any kind is always good therapy.

Home for a seafood feast.  Jia's choice.

Good job once again Dad.

Jia doesn't eat desserts and barely any candy or chocolate but does like Purdys Hedgies so I bought one for the candle moment.  It was gobbled in one bite after this picture.

Happy Birthday Jia!