Our Suite

It's always so fun to open the door and see what home looks like.  This one was joyously fun.  We filled half a shelf in the fridge and a snack drawer :)  I don't love having to go downstairs for the bathroom but Luk LOVES the loft so that's more important.

The parking lot at Children's was FULL.  We drove around for quite a while.  Everyone was amazing.  All the covid protocols are still in place.  We were escorted to where we needed to be.  No wandering allowed. 

Luk hated the swab up his nose, freaked and grabbed the nurses arms to throw her off him while twisting and thrashing.  Yikes.  Thankfully she just let go of the swab so it stayed in and then she just took it out.  

When we were leaving a trio of teens approached us with a full trolly of toys and offered Luk something.  He declined.  Sigh.  Free toys.  Fidgets, stuffies, games, crafts, books, cars, full size super heros.  There were lots of things on there that I wanted.  

We had a couple hours to kill before we could check in so we played in the dollarama across the street.  Our first outing in weeks!!

Luk picked a word search puzzle book and a Pepsi.  He did wonder what Botbots were. So I bought him one so he could find out.  However he just put it in his bag.  I doubt he'll open it.  I cling to childhood for them.  

We're lounging on our phones until dinner time.

Such bumpkins.  Thrilled with the city traffic view.  We've kept the curtains open to enjoy the city lights.

Moxies.  Food was ok.  The kids ice cream came out in a fancy bowl and our waiter said 'ready for the show?'  He poured something in the bowl and magical mist poured out all over the table.  I was too stunned to think about taking a picture.  So fun.  

On the Way

He's scared and excited all at once.  He had a rough morning with a blow out as we got in the car.  Requiring a new outfit and coat and car clean up in the driveway. A really nice timely reminder of how important this next step is for Luk!

Once settled on the ferry we got a call canceling his procedure!!  Bed shortage. Yikes.  I whined.  Then said "I guess we shouldn't bother coming for the covid test appointment today?"  She put me on a LONG hold and came back to say keep coming today and we have rescheduled for Thursday.  Phew.  An extra day to hang out at the hotel is manageable.  

Luk was tremendously upset about the cancelation.  He had lots of choice things to say about it while I was on hold.  We both held our tears at bay.  And can I just say 'man alive does this kid ever have precocious language'.  

This was the visibility the WHOLE way!  The fog horns were continuous. 

What a covid picture.  Battery and heater to avoid covid, hand sanitizer, clorox wipes and an assortment of masks. 

School Starts for Jia

The new adventure begins.  Wish us luck.  Three of her six teachers have contacted her.  It feels quite overwhelming today.  She's on her own for the rest of the week.  We were called today and informed Luk needs a covid test before his procedure and they will only accept a test done at Children's from their own department.  So instead of leaving tomorrow afternoon we're leaving early morning.  

How are you all managing?

Eric and I started a second movie last night and I couldn't stay up.  So I've just spent 20 minutes today looking for it but can't remember the name.  I called out to Eric but he doesn't remember either. Or where we watched it.

We're getting old.  This is becoming a new normal.  Except today he wouldn't come and help me.  

Prime? Netflix? Crave? Or Shaw??  I knew it wasn't on Disney+ because we have a hard time remembering how to get on there.  Sigh.

I actually cried in frustration. I finally moved 3 Chihuahuas off my lap and went to the kitchen still sobbing to accuse him of not helping me.  So now he's understandably afraid of a possible 'crazy mood' and is walking on eggshells.  The reason he didn't come was because he's up on the counter cleaning the top of the fridge, upper cabinets and walls.  Which of course I appreciate.  

I couldn't remember the actors name.  Billy Crystal.  Eric did remember his name. How do you forget his name?!  I looked up him.  It was called Here Today.  I haven't found where it is yet but I'm half way there.  It wasn't even that great a movie!

Now I'm embroiled in an episode of My 600lb Life.  Maybe I'll look for the movie later.

Update.  I found it. I'm not really sure where it is I just asked Blue Curve for the movie name. It's a tear jerker.  I bawled.  Then we moved onto A Wolf Like Me with Josh Gad. We loved it.  We binged the mini series.  

It's a bit unnerving how comfortable we're all becoming with our isolation.  

Toenails and haircuts for the puppies today.  I cut about three inches off Coco's ear hair. I think I did a decent job but it's hard to see her pig tails gone.  Eric holds them so I can scissor cut.  Thankfully Finn doesn't require hair cuts.  

We tried a new cake today. Lemon pie filling added to angle food cake mix.  Just the two ingredients.  It smells good.  It was supposed to be like a lemon bar. It did fall and get heavy. Definitely more lemon on the bottom. Spongy.  Good for sure but I wouldn't call it a lemon bar.

Cool thingy.

I just went downstairs to wave at Fei leaving after scooping a package off the front porch.  I missed her but found Eric playing with this cool looking toy.  He's looking at levels around the house.  The old 1910 house has some slopes.  I have no idea what this information does for him.  I just know there are slopes based on the way water, toys and spills go.  Haha.  We're as much as an inch and a half out from side to side in some rooms.  

I have Jia registered with an online homeschool program in Surrey.  We're waiting for next steps.  It's with BC teachers following BC curriculum.  Homeschool is quite the arena.  Sort of a free for all.  Apparently there are no requirements.  You're free to do anything right down to unschooling which is letting the child lead.  I really liked a program from the USA and I was thinking being Canadian wasn't the biggest deal since we're just looking to fill five months.  I joined a Facebook portal, met some Canadians online that are happy with the school.  Then the first thing posted was an interactive map of the States.  Turns out my thinking was more Canadian than I thought.  The school does offer online Mandarin though and Jia was keen so if we can get the actual school part working perhaps we'll add the other school too.  

Everything is still all set for Luk.  I did place an online grocery order during the sleepless night so that Eric can isolate a bit more throughly with us.  I ordered a few things that are easy to transport and carry for me to eat during the hospital days.  Such a huge event.  I can't wait to be on the other side of this one.

This procedure might be semi routine for the Dr but not for us. Do you know of anyone with a cecostomy?  I don't and I'm in lots of Chrones, Colectomy and Spina Bifida support groups.  We're in an unknown area here.  Also Kai's very common routine tonsil and adenoid surgery turned south and he ended up critical in PICU. So that fear just doesn't leave.  I have sufficient fear to have me as prepared as possible to deal with the parts I know are coming and not feel mentally insane.  Luk remains blissfully unconcerned.  

The kids school now has several covid cases reported.  

Jia just seemed aware today of how long its been since she's left the house. It's truly amazing how these kids have accepted what is happening.  

Sasha is 3 today.

What are we gonna do today Momma?  Well, nothing.  That's what we do now.  Just stay home and vegg.  Sigh.  I will sing to her and make an effort to cuddle her enough to annoy her ;)  How can she be 3 already?!  I'm still calling her my puppy. 

I'm busy at my desk.  Thankfully.  

This morning while scrolling Facebook a mother of one of the kids friends posted her outrage that Ronald McDonald House has said no to a family staying there because they're unvaccinated.  I have soooo much to say about this.  SO MUCH. It was extremely HARD for me to put the phone down and walk away.  Her plan...to boycott McDonald's.  Big sigh.  If anyone knows the family please tell them to just call the Variety Residence people.  They house people with kiddos at Children's.  I use them ALL the time.  Luk and I are headed to the Sandman near Children's next Tues.  

Also a family from school reported their son who has been at school this week is covid positive.  It starts.

Eric is booked for his booster.  It was hard finding appointments.  He doesn't get his until the 26th.  I did find an appointment in Nanimo today but he wasn't keen to drive there.  

I found an online school yesterday with BC teachers and curriculum that will take Jia.  They're in Surrey.  I haven't started the registration yet.  I need to gather some info from her current school first.  

Fei has a dentist appointment in Duncan tomorrow.  She's stopping by to pick up a package for Lili that we're leaving on the porch.  How incredibly bizarre is this?!

Eric picked up a tiny low wattage heater for the new battery that will work in the car.  So all hurdles and obstacles that I can anticipate for Luk and I are taken care of.  I just have to register the tap ferry form today.  We're anxious and scared but overall excited about the surgery.  

Lithium!!

I just had to ask.  He ran to All Battery and bought the king of all batteries.  It was already on the wish list for this years camping upgrade. The moho will be soooo set up with power. This will charge from our solar, run through the inverter and power ALL of our shore outlets while boondocking.  It's a modern day miracle. This baby will run the microwave, hair dryer and all of us can be plugged in and charging at once. We're not sure if it will run the built in air conditioner but it will power a portable unit.  

To say Eric is pleased is an understatement. We're all looking forward to life getting better and lots of camping.  This will make it a little easier and more comfortable.  I'm hoping for the day the kids and I aren't constantly asking what, how, where and how long we can plug in.  

I was thinking an electric blanket in the car for Luk and I to stay warm, Eric says we can just use a heater.  I never think big enough.  Haha.  

Update, he plugged a 2500 watt heater in and it ran for half an hour. There was still half the power left.  I knowing nothing or at least very little wasn't very impressed.  He gave me a weird look and left the room with his battery. I might have insulted his new toy?