The Reading Club

Reading this year has become a passion for Rosalind and very lately Carolina is starting to get the bug too. She is working her way through the Dick and Jane books and also the Harold and his Purple Crayon books. Trips to second hand stores, the library and Chapters are top on our list of preferred spots !!!!!

We are probably a little late off the mark getting into this reading passion but its so good to see as Chris and I are readers - me in particular !!!!

Rosalind is just inhaling books - currently is into the Little House series along with the Fairy series and Geronimo Stilton of course !!! I am looking forward to introducing her to Enid Blyton and Arthur Ransome !!

How to Keep Cool And Have Fun Too !!!

We were lucky enough to be invited to a few of our friends homes over the past heat wave and into their swimming pools. One of these was Rosalinds school buddy Cassandra , whose pareents have an above ground pool. Now I've never been a particular fan, mostly because of the look of the things .. they are not the most attractive additions to your backyard. But I have to admit, being able to jump in and cool off at any time certainly had its attractions . The kids were totally hooked and swimming like wee fish in no time.

So out we went and got ourselves a round pool - 18 feet diameter. We would have picked a 15 foot one but there was none to be had. It's not been set up on the most level ground - Chris didn't want to take the time to build a frame and level it properly for this summer - this will hopefully be a fall project once the pool is down for the winter. The idea is we build a frame and fill it with gravelly sand and this will make the ground level for the pool. I am hoping we will do this in the fall for next year and not leave it till the next spring .....

Its not the most attractive thing in our yard but not as bad as I thought. Its a salt water pool so its a bit different to get set up and Chris is still adjusting the ph etc water levels.

The girls have had an awesome time playing around in the pool. Rosalind is diving with her friend Lily for coins on the bottom - getting great practise swimming underwater and having so much fun they dont even realize the skills they are learning. Bring that hot weather on !!!!

Canada Day In Ottawa

Things sure get serious when it comes to celebrating Canada Day in Ottawa. Everyone is wearing costumes or outfits of white and red and everyone is partying !!!! We left for Ottawa on July 1, it was a slow drive up there as everyone had the same idea. Got up to Ottawa in time to order in pizza from the Colonnade Restaurant and had dinner with Chris's parents and then off to Parliament Hill to see the sights.

The number of people out and about in Ottawa was just amazing and up on the hill - the most wonderful concert , capped by a performance by the Bare Naked Ladies !!! Everyone was in a terrific mood , given the numbers of people everyone was in a great party mood.
Rosalind has incredible stamina and was many people were jammed in with us - all for a magnificant 15 minute display. And it was magnificant !!!!!!
up for the party. Carolina needed a nap so while Chris and Rosalind checked out the action on the hill, Carolina and I sat down and snuggled and listened to the performance . Then at 9:30 we headed for a spot to watch the fireworks ( along with hundreds of other folks ). We were wedged in with I cannot even guess how many people were jammed in with us - all for a magnificant 15 minute display. And it was magnificant !!!!!!

After it was over , we took a 10 minute break to allow the crowds to dissipate and then we walked home to Chris's parents house and happily and quickly into bed for the night.

Happy Birthday Canada !!!!!!