Mandi, Mandi How Does Your Garden Grow?

Our little garden, my little gardener and the first radish.

Up Close and Personal!

WestJet really does have the coolest events!  Today we got a fly by and private (and by private I mean with the hundreds of other Westjetters and their families) lunch with the Snowbirds.  Really truly a cool thing to see the men who fly these planes... they are pretty regular guys!  Love love love WestJet family events!

Where did you have your lunch today?  Under an airplane wing?!?!?  Us too!

Incredible

I'd like to thank a super silly clown for this awesome head gear he made for Sam.  There was NO chance of him not wearing it either!

Sam jumping in front of this plane.

The Snow Birds landed at the airport and then came and parked all in line.  It was more cool than this photo shows.  Quite impressive.

One of the pilots... I believe his name is Eddy.

My boys and the golden airplane.

So excited he almost lost his shirt! 

Got a cool airplane poster from this man... we had to fight off a herd of desperate housewives and push our way in to see him!

Sam's first go at cotton candy... big hit with Sam, not such a big hit with Mom.

This is one very happy little boy.  They let him climb in and 'drive' one of the planes.  He couldn't even believe it.  LOVE love loved it!

Perfect lunch hour with Shaun.  Have I mentioned I love summer!

Calgary Stampede Parade

Today I bravely did somethings I've never done before.  My mom won tickets to the parade so I thought, what the heck, I'll get myself and Sam down there and we'll see what all the fuss is about.  Boy, I had no IDEA what I was getting us into!
First adventure... finding the C-train station.  You'd think something like this would be easy.  Well, the truth is that in the 6 years I've lived in Calgary I've never ever been on a ctrain or been to a ctrain station.  I found it.  I paid.  And then I waited.  AND waited.  Being armed with my camera, a lunch box, and a back pack of supplies Sam and I weren't the quickest ctrain goers.  Each time the crowded train would stop, I'd think there was a chance for me to squeeze on.  And there probably would have been if the JERKS behind me didn't rush past me and steal my spot!  This happened enough times that a sweet Asian family helped me barge my way on after 5 or 6 different trains had left me in their dust.  A very very kind gesture that I'm sure the dad regretted, as we were trapped standing on the hot train with my bum nearly on his chest for 25 minutes.  I finally decided that I couldn't take anymore and excited the train.  This was a good move.
We walked many blocks to our reserved seats that looked a little like something a kindergarten child would construct out of popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners.  Then I thought "what the hell, we've made it this far" and up we climbed.  Me in a dress.  Awesome.  
Though by the amount of people already there when we arrived, we were nearly 2 hours early.  That is a very long time for a two year old.  Very long.  Snacks, bus, balloon, jumping were my only tools as we were trapped once again in a tiny space with many strangers.
Finally the parade... huge floats, lots of culture, probably a million horses, Rodeo Queens of all ages, marching bands, police, a tank or two.  Quite grand and very very long.
We left a little early in hopes to beat the rush, but my dreams were crushed when I saw the line to board.  Meh, life lesson in patience and determination.  Oh and that when Sam has enough, he just goes to sleep.  All in all, it was quite the adventure.  Not sure why I thought taking in the parade and travelling on the ctrain on the BUSIEST lrt day of the year would be easy, but I did it.  
Here are my mediocre pictures.  Yes there are only four.  Yes the are blurry and disappointing. I had a lot going on ok!!! :)

Parade marshal -  Rick Hansen

This is a man riding a GIANT bull like a horse.  I know the photo doesn't do it justice but it was crazy.  I felt uncomfortable having it walk by me and that crazy man was happy to ride it down the street.  Wild.

My boy parade watching.

Proof we were down town Calgary!  This is after our early escape before the crowds came.

Oh yes, and for the real reason I was so dang determined to get to the parade - Will and Kate.  Our Royal couple was doing the parade route backwards before the actual parade started and I wanted desperately to see them.  I know they are just people.  I know they have been pasted all over the media and it's driving some people crazy.  But I also know there is a little something in me that loves the fairy tale of it all.  They are young and beautiful and seem absolutely in love.  They have reached out to regular people and seem genuine in their exchanges.  I think they are a little bit of wonderful.  Ok, back to my story... Sam and I are RUSHING to our seat to get a chance to see them.  Just as I find our set of bleachers, the helpful man who showed me where I was supposed to climb to says "Hurry the Royals are coming!!!!!"  I only had time to rip Sammy from his stroller and hold him up so he could see them... as if he would remember that moment or they would see him and love him as much as I do.  Anyways, they BURNED down the route in a car and as quickly as the moment arrived it was gone.  Though initially a little disappointed, I sit here now knowing I saw the Princess' perfect smile and saw a tiny little moment of their fairy tale.  Yep and we all lived happily ever after...

I LOVE Summer!

Even on the very worst days as a teacher, a mere pause to think of the two glorious months off in the summer, makes things not seem so bad.  Well, my friends, those days are here.  And Summer 2011 has been a whole lot of sunshine and fun so far.  I love that my response to "what's new" is that I got a sunburn today... summer slows life down and has allowed me to focus on the best parts of my life and then things that make me happiest.  Nothing to complain about (all out of chocolate, that's a little disappointing) and excited to go to sleep because tomorrow is another day to look forward to!  I love summer!  Here's what we've been up to in the first week:
Canada Day...

Sporting red and white in tribute to this great country.  Sam couldn't get enough flag waving!

Sitting on the parade route right up front!  Perfect seat to see all the action!

In a parade traffic jam, the Mounties ended up stopped right in front of us.  Sam loved pointing at them and asking me "What's that?"  They toured through the crowd and shook the young peoples' hands wishing them a happy Canada day... pretty cool!

This beautiful rodeo princess waved right at Sam and said hello... ladies love him!

And you wouldn't have a proper Albertan parade without some loud, jacked up vehicle... it was our lucky day because this one was pulling a camper on monster truck tires!

 We had a huge afternoon nap to prepare for the fireworks display on East Lake.  Sam napped until 5:30, then we headed to our faux family's house for a delicious Canada Day meal and to visit and play.  We zipped home to bath and put on our jammies.  The fireworks were on the other side of the lake from the track and field bleachers... it was BEAUTIFUL.  Tons of people but also lots of space for everyone.  Kids galore and a really nice job on the show.  One of my favorite 'firsts' with Sam!

The sun is finally setting and Sam is wondering what on Earth we are doing outside.  We tried to explain fireworks to him, but it wasn't until he saw them that he realized what we were getting on about.

A little nervous at first, but it turned into a lot of "wow"s and "what colour is it". 

Loved it.  Definitely going to be a family tradition!

Love this little peach face!

On Saturday we headed into Calgary on a Vannie mission, but were sad to see that many shops were closed.  Shaun made a spontaneous decision to go to the Riley Park Splashpark and it was great!

My guys! 

Mom, I found a stick!!!!

Good old game of dump the water on the shovel... good times, good times.  Little tip to any future wading pool go-ers - bring a floaty or beach ball or something of the sort because EVERY OTHER CHILD has something and a stick and bucket are only fun for so long!

On Sunday, Sam and I headed back home for some good old family time.  We hit the farm and saw Granny and Big Bob (Sam's names for my grandparents), then some 'good times' at the Ponoka Stampede, over to my Mom's and then a tour around Paskapoo.

This was the only ride that Sam could do all by himself at the Ponoka Stampede.  There was an incredibly embarrassing ride we took together on a Bee (it's not made for kids my size!), a jumpy house, the merry-go-round and an enormous and borderline dangerous slide.  I ended up with a crushed ego, wet bum and the happiest little boy in the world... all in a day's work!

My Aunt and my Mom loving a day with Sam!

In the morning we went to Paskapoo Park.  A little treasure that one just doesn't appreciate until they come back to visit. Beautiful green space, playground, pond and little pieces of history.  Love it!

Sam and Serenity swinging!

Beautiful totem pole to honor the War Vets.  The picture does not do it justice.

A classic Rimbey shot... the Paskapoo pond.

Rimbey School - 1920

Peeking in the window of the corner store.  Lots of neat things to see.

A boy and a train.

I think he looks like his Daddy here... love this little face.

BIG step for a little boy!

Waving bye to Mommy!

Rimbey, home of the international truck museum (and a bunch of other cool old junk!)

Sam loved this old truck.  Pretty cool.

Auntie Brie and Sam checking out the barbershop.

Smiling sunflower also loves Paskapoo!

A sunny afternoon spent with the Gorday girls...

Sam's army guys took a dip with us this afternoon.

Love these two little characters!  Perfect sunshiny day with good friends... ahhhhhh summer!

The Frog Prince

Much to everyone's surprise, Sam's mini frogs he got for Easter from Gramma Bee are still alive and kicking.  Honestly, I've never met two happier little frogs!  Recently Sam has taken an even bigger interest in them and love love loves feeding day!  Here are a few shots of Sam taking care of his frogs...

This is Sam's favourite part... right after he feeds them, he likes to watch them knock the food down and wrestle for it.  Too fun!

I like that the frog is watching Sam too!

Sam loves Frogs!