Leith: Birds nests, red squirrel trapping and other fun

Short trip to Leith (Jul 27-31) between Felix’s appointments at Sick Kids. Felix’s processors were activated on the day we left. Here’s all the equipment we received, one for each ear.

Waterproof covers! After his first swim, he came running out insisting he didn’t like them and wanted to take them off as they were making crazy noises. After some probing, it turned out he was hearing the water flowing by when he was underwater.

The kids decided to help Uncle Tony with his red squirrel trapping by conducting field studies and then applying what they learnt.

And bingo! Aunt Mary, Tony, kids, and squirrel went for a little drive where the squirrel was released.

Other fun included:

Bye! We’re paddling home 🙂

In less than 24 hours …

Working on a 3D puzzle from Grandpa with friends.

Over dinner, the kids asked for their friends to sleep over; so we added three mattresses to the boys’ bedroom and the friends ran home to pack overnight gear (this included a pillow, change of clothes, and books).

10:15PM was lights out. When we left the room at 9:45PM, all 5 were reading their books and all became completely silent.

When we peeked at 10:20PM, the lights were out and the silence continued. Until 8AM the next morning (that’s when the kids were told they could get out of bed).

Breakfast menu – Lara took the orders, Neil was the cook.

After which, the puzzling continued,

…along with table soccer,

…a Dutch oven disaster,

…and some soldering to fix a broken motor.

Neil helped to fix a bike tire, and Nolan helped with a simple fried rice lunch.

The puzzling continues,

and is finished (540 pieces in total)! Friends head home.

We have a snack and then decide on a quick 10km bike ride and short play at a nearby park.

The end!

 

 

Dinnertime…

… a time to come together as a family??

Some of Felix’s favourite activities while recovering from surgery

He was not allowed to swim or bike until his incisions healed so these are some of the things he did instead.

He saw the surgeon today. The bandages are off, he’s healing very nicely; and he’s been cleared for all activities except anything that might result in a smack to the head (ie, no wrestling). Woo hoo!

Lessons in glass blowing and subway driving

Trip downtown today for the whole family.

While Neil caught the views from the Cisco office:

The kids and I spent about an hour watching various glass objects being formed at the Harbourfront Centre.

Lunch on the boardwalk, watching planes, choppers take off and land; and boats of all types.

On the way home, a very nice train driver walked the kids through how he drove the train.

And even had the kids announce the next stations …

Coming into a station.

Out into the open where the drivers open windows to get some fresh air.

Quick 20 minute break at home followed  by 45 minutes of drills each, in swim class.

 

 

1000 piece puzzle: The Butchart Gardens – Japanese Garden

Making Garam Masala

Lara treads water for 45 mins

Cochlear Implant Surgery

Saying goodbye at 9AM.

Pre-op wipedown – the towels were warmed but it was still chilly.

Bruce Lee!

All done.

Vitals check.

And now we wait …

He’s reading Dr Proctor’s Fart Powder.

And then we’re off! I stayed with him in the OR until he fell asleep. He had to smell the anesthetist’s “smelly socks” 😛 There were no needles until he was asleep.

And then we wait … he’s BR, F.

The surgery took 4 hours and went perfectly according to the surgeon (Dr Papsin of the Sick Kids Cochlear Implant program). Because Felix had some natural hearing, he implanted a different type of electrode (CI532) in an attempt to preserve any residual hearing.

Waking up in recovery.

He was then transferred to a room with Kaci, the Cochlear Koala.

He was starving but had to prove he could keep food down before he could be discharged.

Heading home at 7:45PM.

 

Leith fun Jul 1-8

For sale! It was sold before we were able to add it to our collection of boats.

Brrrrr … that’s just way too cold for me!