We've arrived in Oz.

We explored on our own before dinner.

Kai jumps once then rolls all over.  Then gets up and repeats.  It looked exhausting his way.

Dinner was good. Bedtime snack was dismal, I'm glad we packed snacks.

Kai says no way he's climbing this.

Camp fire, except no fire.  Kai is with Josh.

Then a rousing game of who is in jail.

Next was a scavenger hunt in our teams wearing costumes.

You all know how much Kai despises costumes.  He agreed to barista for Dad. 

Our team came in last. They had us back and forth all over the camp. Kai cried a few times. He definitely deemed this not fun.  Until I said it was like Blue's Clues then he tolerated.

He was definitely ready for bed at 8:30.

Phew.

We're here!

Our white t-shirts are soaking for tye-dye tomorrow.

The buildings are really old.

Here 5 minutes and Kai ripped the soap dispenser cover off. Oy.

He said no way to the upper bunk.  Haha.  But he's also concerned about how squishy the lower one is.  He is also completely obsessed with touching the slats above his head. He found a comb under one.

Our group A with our councilor Josh.  Dakota is a 31 year old here with his Mom. They're lovely.  We haven't met Johhan yet. We get to sit together for meals.  No one knows what we're having for dinner.  Kai keeps asking ;)

Dawn-Marie, our room has no lock, we are directly across from the door to the lake path.  The lake has no beach, just dock and the wee tiny chains that would hold back nothing they're as low as my knees and Kai can't see them.  I have gone over and over the rules that when we're here he can't leave our room.  Mom, as discussed, yes there is a small dresser here I can move in front of the door.  Also two lifts that would make lots of noise if he tried to move one. I did bring a tea light as a night light.

We have made our beds.  Mine is a lift bed.  I knew this morning I should pack sheets and I didn't do it.  Ick.  Next time.

No air conditioning, screens or curtains. At this point there is zero chance I'd ever get the girls here next year.  

After dinner there is a rock wall in the gym and a games room to check out.

Stressful Days

The girl drama continues. We're working hard to find solutions.  Everyone is agreeable to fresh starts and finding tools that work.  I've been intervening more and talking through and for each of them so we can all better understand each other.  

The hot tub is the best part of the day.  Our farmer neighbor spread poop on the field, boo.  It definitely puts a damper on our deck time! It usually means rain is coming.  He's never been wrong before.

The neighbor had a clean out.  We got a couple things for the 5th wheel and a little cabinet Lili liked.  

Then the rain came :)  Lili and I sat on the porch and had a nice quiet relaxing time on our phones.  

Luk grew and grew his hair until he had a mop then went in and got a new look. 

Jia has been asking for a drawing tablet for years.  She's been researching.  The prices were higher than she liked.  Fei found her the desired iPad used in Courtenay.  Eric took her to buy the new baby.  Then she had to order accessories and Fei's friend gave her a fancy pen.  She is a full time artist right now and completely in love and absorbed. Thank goodness she has a job ;)

Yesterday I lined up at the walk in clinic for Lili at 7:30, they open at 9.  We were 4rth.  We were out at 10 and my appointment with my doctor was at 11 so I just stuck around.  Then I went for a hair cut and waited an hour there.  5 hours of hanging around.  Yeesh.  Lili went to visit a friend then came back to have lunch with me before I went home and she went to work.

Fei has a few hours at the Rock Cod for the next couple weeks.  She starts nursing on the 23rd.  She must be bored.  I voted that she just enjoyed the time off.  Tonight all three girls are on shift together.  1st time for that.

Lili's rent is paid and her classes are just about sorted.  

Eric's sister and neice are on the island so he and Luk are off to visit them up island tomorrow.  Kai and I are off to Easter Seal FAMILY camp today.  We're back Sunday afternoon. I'm hopeful the camp works out and I can talk the rest of the family into joining Kai and I next year.  Kai is not excited about going. At all.  He did poop yesterday so that bodes well for the weekend.  Haha.  He was happy to watch me pack snacks.  I doubt we'll need extra snacks but just in case.  

Home

Slight glimpse of the river to the right.  It looked like rain so Eric suggested packing up and heading home :)  He sold it, honey wouldn't you like a shower and some couch time with your puppies?  Uh, ya!  We picked up pizza and it is good to be home.

Eric surprised me this trip with another Cheese feature.  He ran a propane line for the tiny fire.  No more tank to fill and carry.  He also put an outdoor water faucet in so he can rinse his wee coffee press before I wash it.  Such luxory.

Day 4 or 12?!

Eric must be tinkering.  He attempted once again to figure out why the solar panel for the umbrella isn't working.

A wiring lesson for Luk.

We have no can opener!  Eric sliced into our soup with his knife no problem.  We were attempting to stay put here for the whole trip but we needed ice for the cooler and a can opener so he made the sacrifice to go home. He did the pool and hot tub chemicals and scored a swim.  

There is an amazing hike here that loops the whole campsite and along/to the river.  We did maybe an 8th of it.  It was too hot.  There are toadlets out but we didn't see any.  We gave up and just came back to hide in the shade.  Eventually I gave and declared it time for air conditioned car time.  We moved the van to the day parking use area so our engine wouldn't bother anyone and we watched Bambi.

It's beautiful here. Very peaceful.  Except for the odd music that's too loud or barking dogs.  We're losing track of time and days.  It's unsettling for me not being in touch.  Next weekend is Easter Seal camp for Kai and I. They suggest no phones and the weekend after that is Kissinger where there is no service.  I might have to rethink my summer planning next year ;)

Lili drove Fei and Jia out for dinner on Friday. It was pure chaos.  There are lots of wasps here.  Lili is allergic and Fei has never been stung and doesn't want to experience it. So that created a lot of squealing.  Lest anyone  think our lives are all perfect, Lili and Fei aren't on the same page.  Lili is pushing for resolution, Fei is requesting space and Jia is being put in the middle.  It's a lot of drama. We ended up doing family therapy which is just uncomfortable for all of us. 

My low calorie, sugar free, fat free dessert. Orange fluff.  4 out of 6 liked it.  Jia wouldn't even taste it.  

Mom and Poppy made it out.  Thankfully it cooled down a lot and it was quite comfortable for a visit.

Now, once again we've taken Kai out of his environment. He's crying often. Like 8 plus times a day. He hasn't pooped in four days.  He's a constant fart and his guts are rumbling.  He's being difficult.  Not his normal, agreeish, happy self.  I HATE the idea of using respite care but he really, really doesn't appreciate the different experiences and opportunities being offered.  He left his glasses at home on the visit back and now he's even more blind than usual.  This morning his shirt was on inside out and backwards. He needs help with every single thing. There are moments of relaxation for Eric and I but we're out here with a hundred and thirty pound toddler who needs to poop and is displaying his displeasure.  Sigh.  Things are definitely not perfect.

We have one last night here.  I'll admit the idea of heading home after dinner sounds awfully good to me but I'm saying nothing.  Waiting to see if Eric will call it ;)  

Cowichan River

It's a lovely spot.  Our old neighborhood.  We used to camp here before it was Provincial.  So many good memories.  There are two places for sale down here.  I was all excited talking about coming home and Eric is a firm "no way are we living down here again".  Haha.  We're always on the same page like that ;)  

Now...there is no cell service here.  At all.  I'll be posting this when we're home.  Originally the plan was to come in and out since we're 20 minutes from home.  But now that we're here I'm thinking maybe we can be out of service for 4 days?  Eric doesn't think I can do it.  He can quite easily.  

Unplugged, people talk about relieving anxiety by being unplugged.  Uh....do those people have brains and imagination like mine, that loop and loop?!  Because I'm away from my girls and my Mom.  They can't reach me if they need us.  Never mind the total basics of which night are the girls coming out for dinner.  I have a sugar free dessert to make here but I don't know which day to make it.  Phones are just plain helpful.

Dumpling Trail

Lili and Jia toook off to Victoria today for dumplings.  They tried 3 new places. Yum.

A wee hike in Oak Bay.

And a bit of shopping before heading home.

Tonight they're staying up to binge a show starting at midnight.  

Eric is hopeful he's finished repairing the moho.  I said if it was done we could take it this weekend.  He said no.  I don't think he trusts that it's done for real. So, Cheese it still is ;)  We have done nothing to prepare.  We're heading out tomorrow after dinner.