A Day Off.

Don had another day off. Praise!

We got up to some family-via-bike shenanigans. Very casual. Very fun.

Since Don was around I made him ride his old GT mountain bike and tow Dexter.

Don had to buy some pedals at redbike so we stopped in for a bit. I noticed this very pretty Steel Wool bike and commented on its awesomeness. I was then informed that it belonged to my friend, Euna.

Euna. Nice bike. Very nice!

Love the herringbone.

We made some rounds. Went to the library, the dollar store, the post office...

Then lunch at Upper Crust.

I always forget about the ridiculous array of desserts available here. We didn't end up getting any (so sad) because we were full up on potato salad. It's sort of silly to be excited about potato salad but the Upper Crust one is very tasty.

We also ran into our neighbour on our way in. He was picking stuff up for their road trip out to their cabin. Love these happy run-ins. They remind me that people who live near me likewise frequent the lovely independent establishments in and around our 'hood.

Cake cake cake.

Pie!

Two pies.

It's still summer.

Patio season in Edmonton is wonderful. A real celebration of the good weather we're starved for most of the time.

Dexter was incredibly good at lunch today. We had a little booth so he would lay down and sit up an drink his milk with his daddy. Ate his blueberries quietly. Only climbed up on the table a few times.

Very civilized.

I could definitely get used to Don having more time off. It's leisurely and fun and it's really good to do normal things together. The consequence of being really busy people with wacky schedules is we don't get to see enough of each other. Afternoons spent doing normal, boring stuff is actually a treat. Family time? Yes, please.

It's also nice to have an extra set of dad-hands around too.

I can't believe July is almost done. WAH!

Taste(s) of Edmonton.

Dexter and I took the train to see daddy for lunch today.

The Taste of Edmonton is set up in the square right across from city hall so we strolled over to sample the goods. The nice thing was being able to eat whatever you want in one space. The bad thing is crowds of people who don't know how to navigate in a crowd. I'll spare you the details, but suffice to say I've been in far busier places where the flow of human traffic is much more organized. No sudden stopping without pulling over. No startled and incredulous looks when people notice you're standing behind them. That sort of thing.

Once we steered clear of the masses I saw this adorable old man sitting outside the Winspear Centre. I don't know what it is about Chinese seniors. They really tug at my heartstrings.

Dexter had his first fried ice cream.

He looked envious of people playing in the pool outside city hall.

Later that evening Dave and I took the train again, this time for dinner without the crowds.

We went to Moriarty's.

I look out the window.

Menu time.

And wine time.

Dave's sandwich.

And mine.

Cream puffs. They were huge.

Then Don stopped by after his meeting.

He was on the Batavus all day.

But opted to take the train home with us.

It was a yummy Wednesday.

Capital EX.

Don had time today so we took Dexter to his first Capital EX! I'm not big on the rides (they're sort of old and creaky) but I do like strolling through the grounds. People watching. Carnies. Mini doughnuts. All that good stuff.

There is such an amazing array of things to eat. Things I would never make at home.

On the train on the way home Don commented that my hair smelled like smoked meat. How delicious! We got some sandwiches to take home and eat for dinner (with salad).

I also love going inside the exhibition halls. There is all this You Saw It On TV stuff where people demonstrate their products. I find it very novel.

And I always leave wanting things. The lady here is showing off the Bamix. I sort of really want one.

Other things on my wish list are a massage chair, eco linens, and a Softub.

Mini doughnuts are a must.

Hi guys!

"Hi Miss Sarah!"

Lots of people had won huge stuffed animals!

They look so awesome, but I hate how hard the stuffing is.

A big monkey.

"I Love You"

Cat and dog.

And let's not forget about the rides.

The swings are my favourite.

Upside down.

This was one of those crazy huge pendulum rides. The kind that I would ever try for fear of peeing my pants in public.

This Crazy Mouse "roller coaster" is more my speed.

Swings are good, but the Tower Swing is actually kind of sketchy. Don and I went on it two years ago and it was not smooth. Not at all.

My love remains with the original swing.

There was a lottery where you can win free groceries and gas for a year.

Uh. Yay?

Games games games.

It is incredibly rare for Don to have the afternoon free to have family time with Dexter and me. He has been knocking on doors all day on Saturdays and Sundays (it's an election year). During the regular year I work on Saturdays too.

Spending the day together is a real treat for us!

Dexter and Dad had lots of fun on the walk home from the train.

I

And then we ran into uncle Ben!

Ben is visiting his family from Toronto. He and Don used to be Scouts together and grew up together. Ben is back for the folk fest next weekend so there are many good times to come. We happened to run into him while he was on his way to pick up groceries for dinner. He just got in.

Happy run-ins like this are why I like active transportation. Being out in the community means... running into people from your community!

It was a wonderful afternoon with my little family (biological and urban).

Birthday with my Family.

Ah, the final installment of Miss Sarah's birthday includes a BBQ with my family.

I wore this creamy pastel polka-dot dress. I put it in a "take to the tailor" bag in the spring, hoping to hem it for the coming summer. Then I forgot all about it so I just wore it in its long-ish capacity. Upon putting it on I also remembered I once wore this while riding the road bike. As a result (curse the lack of fenders, and Amsterdam was broken that summer) there are a few tiny mud spatters on it that have not come out. They're not that noticeable.

Before we left the bungalow I opened a present from Raffaella.

It was a zombie book!





Got to my parents' place and my niece Keira was there.





We took some family photos. My mom requires a little album she can whip out to show relatives when she visits Hong Kong. That way everybody can comment on who has aged and who has gained weight. Seriously!

It's a very blunt culture. Sounds rude to us but over there it's basically as common as talking about the weather.





Daddy's garden.





Grand kids love to feed the fish with Grandpa Chan.





Another view of the pond, in different light.





As usual we were encouraged to eat SO MUCH FOOD. Since my dad grew up very poor he is overly concerned that people do not go hungry. In essence there is some manner of overcompensation going on because he now puts the pressure on to be overly full. You know that scene in Gone With The Wind where Miss Scarlett holds up a carrot to the sky and vows never to be hungry again? That's my dad.

That being said, I'm glad I grew up with his insistence on eating and his hosting skills. I have gone to homes before where people will serve me half a portion because I am smaller than Don. In these cases I go hungry and that is a huge no-no where I come from.

I figure these homes just might not understand that I can eat an adult portion. I always make sure to have a granola bar in my purse and in such an event I will secretly eat it. I also have a fast metabolism which I have to feed or else I get those hunger headaches.

My parents say my metabolism is fast because being stubborn and temperamental takes a lot of energy.

I think they're just mistaking me for my brother :)

Anyway.

There were so many leftovers that we had to pack up to-go containers so that BBQ could be enjoyed today and perhaps tomorrow (my dad is obsessed with these take-out containers, I know they're evil).

Friends did some illustrations. The little squiggle on the left is supposed to be a dragon.





This "dragon" breathes fire.





Then we lit some candles and ate the cake that Leanne made me. From scratch! With Kerstin's baking chocolate.





Turning 30 is awesome. People treat you, and tell you they are glad you are alive.

I suppose I should also thank my mom for deciding to have me. Thanks, mom!

It was a very happy birthday weekend.