Happy 4th of July to My American Friends

I wish all of my American friends a happy 4th of July. Enjoy the weekend and all of the festivities as you celebrate your country's Independence.

A Day in the Outdoors

The boys have been itching to go swimming. Either it's been too cold or it's been raining. So, this morning I called the pool and the lifeguard told me the water was 80 degrees. Although the air temperature was cool, I decided to take them.

We were there when the pool opened and there was no one else there. The boys had the entire pool to themselves.

This is where I spend my time when the boys are swimming. I sit on the bench and enjoy a good book. It's always shady there and today a nice breeze blew over the area.

Relaxing and enjoying the time in the pool. Jordan was pushing Brandon.
Jordan was busy doing something else, but Brandon just continued to enjoy the day by relaxing and floating around the pool.
They had a game of water basketball and then played volleyball, using the rope for the net.
Getting ready to leave. Two other kids did come for a while and just as they were leaving another two came. We were there for two hours and there were only four people in the pool at any given time. Nice!

The boys said the water was beautiful once you got in and they stayed in for the entire time. We now have a pool schedule and will be visiting frequently over the summer. It's good exercise for the boys and it also helps hone their swimming skills. The bonus for me is that I get to enjoy the outdoors and read a good book in the sidelines.

Canada Day

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Today Canadians celebrated Canada's 142 second birthday. It was July 1, 1867 when Canada officially became a country. The holiday was called Dominion Day until 1982, when it was officially changed to Canada Day.

History was made today in a school gym in Iqualit, Nunvavut when twenty-one women became the first students in that territory to earn a graduate degree. The program was made possible by the University of Prince Edward Island and will mean higher education for the people who live in Canada's Far North. Though no men were included in this year's graduates, it's hopeful that they will be taking part in the 2010 class and marks a milestone in education for the people of Nunavut. Congratulations to all twenty-one recipients.

It seems that on the country's 142nd birthday that 70% of Canadians feel that all ties should be severed with Britian. 65% feels that when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II dies that all ties with the Crown should be severed.

In a conducted poll, the majority of Canadians feel that the Canadian flag and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are the country's most distinctive symbols. However, more Canadians have eaten poutine than have been in a canoe or seen a moose. Other symbols important to Canada include the beaver and the maple leaf.

Hubby and I didn't take in any Canada Day festivities. We don't really like the crowds and deafening music. We had planned on taking a drive but put that off because of the unpredictable weather. I hope others in other parts of our nation were able to enjoy celebrating our country's birthday. Happy Canada Day.

Freshly Picked Strawberries

Michelle was working afternoons today and the boys' dad was supposed to be home early. So I didn't expect to have them. However, Dad called and said he was going to be late. I went and picked up the boys and since it was a much cooler day today, about 67 degrees, we headed to the strawberry patch.

We picked four quarts of beautiful strawberries in about 15 minutes. It's a good thing we were so fast. Just as we were picking the last quart, it began to rain. We filled the box quickly and got to the car before getting too wet. The berries were big and sweet. Mmm! By the time we got back to their place, Dad was home.

The boys took 2 quarts home with them and I kept 2 quarts for us. I came home and it wasn't long before the boys' dad called and said the compressor on their refrigerator was gone. So I headed back over there to help him decide what to keep and what needed to be thrown out.

Jordan came home with me to spend the night. It is now 11:06 pm and he's standing here watching me type this. He is a night owl.

Anyway, Brandon and his Dad and paternal grandfather went out and were able to get a fridge. That Grandpa has a truck and they were able to get it home. Tomorrow is Canada Day, so there was no chance of them getting one tomorrow.

So that's the news for today from my place. Now I'd best get off the computer and get this boy to bed.

Oh, one last thing. Jordan and I had chocolate ice cream with freshly picked strawberries for dessert tonight. Jordan says it was really good.