Family Week

So Erick is off of classes this week. This morning we went to the KidsFringe event in Market Square. Lots of fun!

We plan to cram in as much fun as possible during this next week, because when Erick starts his classes he'll be extremely busy.

Daycare...

Well, miracle of miracles, we found Kian a daycare spot that starts in September. It's a home daycare that is a 7 minute drive from our place. Hopefully the lovely woman who runs the daycare will be able to take in Keira when the time comes.

This is Erick's last week of MBA orientation courses, then he has a week off, and then starts the program in earnest. Having Kian in daycare will certainly make life more manageable. Although, it really hasn't been too bad having both of them home.

I'll probably keep Kian at home at least one day each week even though our spot is for 5 days a week. He's such a good big brother to Keira and I want to make sure they continue to have bonding time together with mummy!

But, I am excited about the chance to start exploring our new city. Without Kian in tow, I can easily cart Keira all over the place!

It's fun to play at the Y... M.. C.. A.. eh!

Gotta love the Victoria YMCA! They offer playcare while you work out, up to 1.5 hours per day. I take the kids there at least twice a week, leave them in playcare, go work out, and then get an uninterrupted shower. I may have to start going more frequently!

We also have a handy dandy water table in our back patio. It's completely enclosed and because we don't really have any mosquitoes to speak of, I can just leave the door open for Kian to wander in and out to play.

Keira is entertained by various toys for minutes at a time. I get to go to the bathroom all by myself sometimes!

Welcome to Victoria

We arrived in Victoria on the ferry from Port Angelus (USA) on the 19th (I think it was the 19th but I don't have the date memorized). Regardless... we spent a full week without any furniture except for lawnchairs and 2 plastic bins. I don't recommend living without furniture.


Grandma and Grandpa Dirks stayed with us from our arrival on the Saturday until that next Thursday. We had been hoping for our stuff to arrive while they were around so they could distract the kids while we unpacked. Alas, this was not to be. So Erick and I frantically unpacked during naptimes and after Kian's bedtime. I also do not recommend doing this if it is at all possible to avoid!



In the week with my parents around and the following week (Erick hadn't started classes yet) we tried to explore as much of Victoria as possible. We visited numerous playgrounds and parks. The photo of Kian above is from the Carnarvon water pad... a great free option for a hot day!




We also visited the Beacon Hill Park children's farm. It is a small petting zoo in Beacon Hill Park. The park also has a water spray pad, a great playground, numerous duck ponds and walking paths, and a cricket field.





Some other spots we've visited are the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, Gyro Park (which is quite close to us and has a beach area, Cattle Point Park, and a few other parks whose name's escape me at the moment!

So far the weather has been phenomenal. We have been here 3 weeks now and today is the first day we've had rain.

We occasionally go for a 'Bunny Walk' in the evening. The campus is overrun with bunnies and Kian gets very excited to see them.

I've spent many mornings over at the family centre during their drop in times. I've also spent a few mornings over at the YMCA (they have drop in child care for 1.5 hours when you come to work out).

Erick has just finished a week of classes and I've finished my first week home with 2 little ones. I think it will take Kian a little while to adjust to all of the changes...

So far so good!

Pics from the road...

Here's a few pics from the trip from Winnipeg to Victoria...


We stayed in hotels with pools and waterslides to give Kian something to look forward to each night. He loves the water!

One of our many many stops along the way. It was so great to have the Dirks grandparents along for the ride. It made everything easier.

More water fun ...

Another interesting stop... a waterfall

Many diaper changes along the way.