Canada Day Weekend 2011

Canada Day Weekend was quite warm. It was the first chance I had to put Ryan in the baby pool. In fact, since he couldn't sit up alone last year, it's the first time he's been able to try out the baby pool in our backyard by himself!

Ryan was having so much fun splashing. You have to love that tongue hanging out!

Kevin is enjoying the bigger pool much more this year. Last year, he didn't go in it too much.  This year, he's a fish! (And look--he sticks out his tongue just like his brother. It must be a family thing.)

We had just gotten back from the restaurant, and it was extremely hot outside, so we let the kids dive right in with their clothes on.  What's it gonna hurt? It's just water!

Andrea was putting on a swimming performance for Kevin and Ryan.

Ryan was thrilled to be in the big-kid pool with his brother and sister. It was a bit deep for him, so I had to watch him carefully, but he loved it.

Andrea was dumping buckets of cold water on her head.  It looked so refreshing that I was jealous!

The next morning, we went to the city's Canada Day Parade. Ryan, however, was more interested in napping.

Aunt Stephanie, Izzy, and Hannah came to the parade with us. We're ready for it to start.

 Windsor Police Bagpipers and Classic Police Cruiser

Back end of the enormous Canadian Flag that's part of the parade each year

The Canadian Cowgirls ride by on their horses, and two of the riders are standing!

The WestJet airline had a big, floating plane balloon

This marching band did things like march backwards, sideways, and do turns as they played!

Windsor Fire and Rescue

Representatives from The Canadian Armed Forces

Andrea and Izzy received a special poppy/maple leaf pin from a member of The Canadian Armed Forces.

The stunt-bike riders were zooming up and down the street, doing fancy turns and pop-a-wheelies.

This is another horseback riding group. I think they were called Silver Stars.

Ryan was relaxing in the stroller, with one leg dangling over the armrest. He was pretty relaxed for most of the parade, except when he heard loud sirens, or got sprayed with water by the Shriners!

You know it wouldn't be a summer parade without the Shriners, on their tiny motorbikes, squirting water at everyone!

Kingsville-Essex Band

EMTs and the Safety Dog

The Windsor Star newspaper's float: I liked that it said, "Happy Birthday, Canada!"  The kids were very impressed when we told them Canada is 144 years old!

I really liked the colours, messages, and symbols on this truck: Our Home & Native Land; Canada 1867; Support Our Troops, etc.

Windsor's Chinese Association had some impressive Chinese dragons at the end of the parade. One even came up close to Kevin and winked at him!  Kevin jumped and was a bit surprised, but it didn't really scare him.

On Saturday, Daddy took Andrea and Kevin to a splash pad. Andrea created a visual news report for me: side 1, when they got there and didn't know how to turn on the water; side 2, with the fountains on. Andrea apologizes for her lack of blue marker for water (it was missing). She had to use red. Daddy and Aunt Stephanie both said that her map of the splash pad layout is quite accurate.

On Sunday, the kids went to Izzy's 4th birthday party.  They came home with some wipe-erase puzzle books.  Kevin used the black marker to write all over his face arms, and shirt. Who needs a book?!