Tuesday, July 1, 2008

O Canada!! My Native Land.




I love Canada day, as a child it was one of my favourite holidays. It meant summer had officially arrived. I love my county, I'm grateful to have grown up with such freedom and quality of life. My favourite Canada Days were the one spent in my parents' home-town of HillSpring, Alberta, with Grandma and Grandpas, Cousins and family. I remember dancing with my Grandpa Wynder (who was really quite the dancer) at the town dance at the school, cheering for the family softball teams, Driving all the cousins in a trailer behind our crazy decorated John Deere Mowing tractor (I promise it is the only time in my life I will drive a riding mower down a main street), sometimes having fireworks, hanging out at Grandma's and always experiencing a pride in my country and the love of family.

So...even though we are not living in Canada currently we celebrate. I want my kids to know their heritage and dual-citizenship means something to me. So yesterday the boys painted shirts to wear, I happened to have a maple-leaf rubber stamp and bought some red fabric paint.

Tonight my darling mother-in-law Carolyn threw me (and Canada) a little b-day party with a BBQ and sparklers. Cheers to the true North strong and free!!!

Reading: ABC of Canada - Per-Henrik Gurth, Kim Bellefontaine

10 comments:

Elisha and Scott said...

That is way too cute. Scott and I need to celebrate Canada day better. Why not? Just another reason to celebrate right? Add our blog so yours.... scottandelisha.blogspot.com

Lahni said...

I loved it when you drove the tractor down main street! Happy Canada Day! Cute shirts btw.

chicklegirl said...

YAY!!! I got your email and I'm excited to check out your blog. The boys have gotten so big; time flies when you're not singing "I'm a big girl now"...

You can see what I'm up to at:

http://www.chicklegirl.blogspot.com (life, kids, etc.)

http://rootcellar.wordpress.com (poetry, writing)

The Trainas said...

Never been so sad that we overlooked Canada Day! That's it- we're celebrating tonight! I'll always remember celebrating it with you guys when Hayden was so little in Kirkland... we miss you TONS and will definitely be checking you out in the blogosphere to keep in touch. Just stop showing off all those cute crafts and homemade ravioli and science projects you do with your kids--I feel like a slacker! Love you- jen
jendaveandkids.blogspot.com

Jamie said...

Awww - fun memories. Also one of my fav holidays! I love your shirts! How'd you do it?

Keith, Becky, Kennedy and Kassidy said...

we all need more reasons to celebrate...
the boys are getting so BIG!
Hope to see you guys in a couple weeks.
we, too, have a blog, but i'm not great at keeping it up.
therauhs.blogspot.com
Becky

Kpetes-draggin said...

I love your shirts, and how fun that you made them. I bet the boys loved that. I need to come and see your beautiful house someday-besides looking at it while driving into town. Happy Canada Day and 4th of July too. Kerry

Joanna said...

cute idea!

Lorna said...

It's great that you celebrate Canada Day with your boys. On the scrapbooking calender that I made, all the pictures were of my kids in the Hill Spring parade and one of the pictures that I used was all you McMerrills in the parade. Fun memories.

Rainy Day Farm said...

That is so cute! You have such sweet boys. Go Canada! We should get together and do some fun projects! Add our blog to yours, if you want. gardner-family-times.blogspot.com
Maria