Happy Independence Day for those in the US :)
I missed the beginning of the month because July 1st is Canada Day here. We went to a local picnic thrown annually by our city counsellor, then to Wonderland because DH and I had free admission (then DD got in free too, which was awesome, in total, savings = $100!). Saturday we went to the zoo and played in the splash park (which felt amazing). Sunday we went to the pride parade downtown and had fun there too.
Patriotism - well, it is no secret here that DH and I are officers in the Canadian Forces. We are reservists, so we have other jobs too but we love what we do. We work with groups that would be equivalent to your civil air patrol (in the states) and really get to see the youth that we work with grow, thrive, and accomplish many things. I agree with Valerie that in Canada, patriotism is certainly different. We don't show it as much as others although with the service men and women coming home from Afghanistan, many people have been standing on overpasses for the motorcades and other displays. It doesn't mean we all agree with what is going on but we are acknowledging the sacrifice that they are making for themselves and their families. I certainly can say that growing up, we sang O Canada in school every day but it is only recently that even on parade (in uniform) when the band plays, I do get teary. Maybe it is pregnancy hormones, but I do love where I live and the people I get to meet. I haven't travelled to too many countries (really just the US) but I do have a goal that I want to visit more of Canada - see the east and west coasts, I would love to see the Yukon or something way up there. I have already been to the prairies, have lots of family in Quebec, so I need to see a few more provinces. Thanks to being in the CF, I do get free VIA rail travel during the month of July (this is about the 3rd year they are doing it, and with baby on the way, we will miss it again this year lol).
What is growing? If I had a garden, I would probably know...but it is lush and green here and the breeze today feels nice!
Thinking of you Maia - hope you have an awesome trip!
I am thinking of changing the statue on my altar. Right now it is a pregnant woman...but I will change it to one that has a family holding a baby. Tomorrow is baby's due date and I can't believe I still have the little bean inside. I am feeling odd though because people are really pressuring me about this baby and when he/she will be born. My commanding officer has called me a few times (and I ran into him on Sunday) and he asks if he is interrupting a delivery or Sunday he told me I should be at home having my baby (which is our plan). I get e-mails from other staff members, MIL wants to know so she can come down to help, which is great...my midwives and I have simply had the discussion of what they like to do around 41 weeks.
Anyways, DD wants a CD on so I am headed to the stereo to pop it in. She has all of a sudden become interested in the sounds letters make (she loves letters and numbers) as well as telling time. Cool by me :) She also played on the play structure for about 30 minutes without me having to be beside her (I still had to talk to her the whole time though but it's all good).
and lots of other fun, happy, memorable times!!
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