Sunday was a family day for us. My entire family, with the exception of my nephew, went to the zoo to enjoy some animals and eachother’s company.
The best part of the visit was the hippo feeding time. Those guys are enormous!
When we got home later, we had a light dinner together, and Calvin spent the evening playing “yocca” with “gampa”.
For the next days’ post, click the link below this post.
Our first full day in BC. A few weeks before, I had contacted my cousins to see if they could all get together one day while we were here. I hadn’t seen them since last summer! Saturday worked the best for most people, and we had a lovely time catching up.
For the next days’ post, click the link below this post.
My friend likes to craft. Unfortunately her crafting space had become not so functional as a space to work in. When she hired me she said her number one goal was for function, which is what I do!
Here are a few before shots:
And after I got my hands on it:
I worked with a budget she gave me to purchase a few items like drawer organizers, but mostly used what she already had, such as an unused peg board! 
It feels so good to leave a space like this. I hope you enjoy your new craft room!
This WAS our yard. Somewhat small with a dingy fence. We knew when we bought the place last summer that we wanted to fix it up because we have kids that need to run around!
Pretty flowery bush though!
Behind the yard, beside the driveway was this space. In the listing it was advertised as RV parking, but not only do we not have an RV, there were too many mounds of broken concrete and rock and debris to park anything there.
So we made plans to expand the lawn! Tim’s dad was instrumental in getting it done. He ripped up the old fence, and then we had the landscaper come in and level it all out. 
We had lumber delivered to build the new fence, and the boys got right to work!
Okay, so we know people with an RV. 
In addition, we have this side part of our house that I wanted to do something with. 
We had the landscaper scrape that part even as well, since he had the cat there and he could easily get back there without a fence present. It is south facing, so I am going to build a couple garden boxes there next spring.
We then had a rather long hiatus, due to rain, between Tim’s parents leaving and getting more done. It took a while to get the top soil, and then a while longer to get the sod delivered. But yesterday the grass came, and this morning Tim finished the job!
So here is the completed fence from the back lane. Doesn’t that fence just invite you to see what’s going on on the other side?
Well wait no longer! Here is our yard, more than doubled in size!
It will look better yet once we get a weed whacker. Next summer we will probably seal the wood. Or paint? I don’t know yet. I would like to paint over the older, darker brown part.
Along the back portion, it is a little wider, for just a bit extra running around room.
We have to water it like mad over the next week, and we can’t fully use it until after that. We are leaving on vacation in a week, so once we get home in July, then we can put to to full use for the rest of the summer!
Here is a side by side before and after:
As you may or may not know, Amy has been living with us since the end of April. Last night was her last night here with us. Tim and I took advantage of that and went for a late evening walk. I don’t remember the last time we did that, and it reminded me of our dating and engaged months of Tim walking me back to my place from his. Only Millwoods is nowhere near as cool as the Rockland area of Victoria. I digress.
It has been so special to have Amy with us. It was such a unique opportunity to get to know our future family member! When I was little, we also had a couple of my uncles stay with us at different times. It was fun, and though I don’t have many memories from those times, I’m sure it was very rewarding.
While it wasn’t all sunshine and happiness (because it never is when you stick people in a house together), it was mostly wonderful! Calvin sure loved it. It was funny listening to him knock very maturely on her door and call her name in as many different summoning tones as he knew, which is quite a few, actually.
There was lots of quality time spent together.
Playing Mario Kart.
Eating snacks.
Sharing the phone so both could have a conversation with Uncle Jordan.
Seeing Uncle Jordan in person!
Victor had fun too.
There are always books to read.
While we will miss having you around, Amy, we know that you are on to much great things. We can’t wait to celebrate your marriage with you in just a few short weeks!
While Tim’s parents were here, we took a trip to the zoo. This was the first time we went when Calvin actually cared a little bit about the animals, so it was fun! We actually bought an annual pass, so we will be going more often. It’s not something we normally would have done, but sometimes we need to be forced out of our home and backyard and do other things. Having already spent the money to go makes us do that.
I think Calvin’s favourite part was the petting zoo. And it was probably the sheep’s and goat’s favourite part of their day when they got a Calvin hug.
His second favourite thing? The carousel!
And the last item to do on our trip: take a train ride.
We’ve already been back once since, and it was great! I think we could just go for a quick hour, and see something different every time. That way it stays interesting.
Today our church hosted a community garage sale. We all went out this morning to hit it first thing. We spent less than $20 and came home with some comic books, kids books, a movie, cute tins, and these awesome wooden boxes.
I originally wanted to use the boxes for storing a few small toys and books in the boys’ room, but the wood was too rough. In fact, I got a sliver while I was working with them! My second idea was to use one to store my magazines, then figured I could put the second one in the same spot to hold other stuff!
This is the place I am talking about:
And here it is, after prying the ends of the boxes:
All sides of the boxes were closed, and I kept the end pieces, just in case I change their use and want to open the top or side.
While I was prying the pieces off, Calvin got jealous of my tools, so I pulled out his wooden hammer. It isn’t an any time toy. He doesn’t quite understand what can and cannot be hammered.
And as for the other purchases, some became drums!
