While the kids were wiping the sleep from their eyes this morning, I ventured out to the famous Duo Café Bakery, which many had touted as similar to Panera Bread. It is located in the Inn at Laurel Point, so I was very fortunate to find a free parking spot on the street! What incredible views of the harbor! That said, it was quite tiny — and certainly no Panera Bread! While there, a German lady came in looking for a seat, so I offered her one of my tables — a small act of kindness in the morning flow.
From there, I stopped at the Salvation Army thrift store to return some of the items Katie had picked up earlier in the week. Instead of cash back, they gave me a gift card, which works just as well since we can use it at the Salvation Army in Courtenay. Next came a quick run to Walmart for some supplies, a bag of chips for Katie, and Sour Patch Kids for Bobby.
This afternoon, the kids and I drove to downtown Victoria to visit Miniature World. Light rain fell as I fiddled with the various parking meter options, droplets dusting me while I figured it out. Luckily, we were able to find a parking spot right in front of the entrance!
Inside, the displays of tiny villages, cities, and historical scenes were fascinating and highly detailed. Some people clearly spent a lot of time making these, and it appeared that more than one might have been a donation. My wife urged me to take lots of pictures, so I did, snapping details from every angle (see photo to the right). Admission cost about $50 for the three of us. At the counter, the cashier mentioned the place had been packed all day because of the rain — everyone looking for indoor activities.
Afterward, we swung by Whole Foods to pick up some more supplies, and by then it was dinnertime. Rather than search out a restaurant, the kids wanted to head home. We stopped off at Wendy’s along the way. Bobby was delighted — their kid’s meal was themed around Season 2 of the Addams Family spin-off Wednesday.
All in all, the day was a mix of errands, small joys, family time, and reflections. The kids watched some YouTube documentaries on the television, and then it was time to call it a day!