fall

It must be fall because we all came down with colds over the long weekend. And the weather was dull and gray. I'ts been a pretty poor summer for Vancouver, seemed like a lot less sun than usual. Good thing we went a way to the interior for a week where the sun is almost guaranteed. We had a great time with Ben and Tiff and Clara and Pippa, and actually had a relaxing week, despite kids. We stayed in a lovely cabin just up a hill from a beach, and spent lots of time at the water. Ollie and Sam had a ball puttering about with other kids' beach toys, throwing rocks in the water, and fishing off the dock (Ollie and Clara even caught some very small trout that pretty well slipped off the hook two seconds after being caught, but it was a very exciting two seconds). The highlight for everyone though, adults included, was a trip to the water slides in Salmon Arm. There were little slides for the little kids, and the big kids could go on the big slides with a grown-up, and Ollie was so excited about going on the big slides that his voice went up three pitches and his heart nearly exploded. Sam mostly just wanted to jump in the water over and over again, and then some more. Tiff and Clara even organized a lovely birthday party for me with cake and impromptu party hats and presents. It was really sweet, thank you so much.

And now its back to work and reality, the latest crisis of which is the ongoing strike at our daycare. Up until now we have only had rotating strikes that weren't much more than one day a week, but it is about to become full time. The last strike (10 years ago) lasted 11 weeks. We have no alternative care, no backup whatsoever,a nd the only thing I can do really is take a leave of absence from work. I am not pleased.

Here's a picture of the fishing: