Lots of Things to Celebrate!

Calgary held it's 27th annual International Children's Festival from May 22nd through 25th.  The festival provides all kinds of activities and shows for the little ones.  We got tickets to see Eric Litwin, author of the "Pete the Cat" books that we love, on Friday evening.  Wow, what a show!  I think it was as much fun for the adults as it was for the kiddos!  Lots of singing, dancing, and silliness!  And of course, some reading.  The mayor of Calgary even made an appearance to read "I Love My White Shoes".  There were no photos allowed during the show, but Ben was able to get Eric to autograph his book and pose for a picture, while Nathalie was clutching her Pete book so tight that there was no hope of getting it signed.  :)

Big news for me and all those who know my love for Target...they're here!!!!!  On our house hunt trip, we saw a sign that Target was going to open in the mall in spring 2013.  Once we arrived, I did a little more research and found that about five Target stores were opening around the city.  There is one opening near our home in "summer", but there are two other stores that have just opened, and we ventured out to take a peek while I wait for "my" Target to open.  :)  Didn't buy much, but that wasn't the point.  It just felt good to be "home" again.  And, pretty sure I may have to get one of these, how cute!!

Greg got all ready for Moscow, Part 4 and was set to leave in the late afternoon on May 29th...my birthday!  Before he left, we were able to have a little bday lunch celebration.  Thoughtful gifts, yummy carrot cake, and my family...fabulous!  Can you tell who took the picture of Greg and me?  Not bad though, right?  :)

Ben had a field trip to Kamp Kiwanis on Friday, May 31st.  It had rained all week, and the weather was cool.  I had been frantically hunting for raincoats and boots and finally found some, whew.  Apparently, the time to buy rain gear in Calgary is in March.  Oh right, when there is still snow on the ground I'm supposed to be thinking about the rainy season of May?  Goodness!  Anyways, as luck would have it, the weather was dry and Ben really loved his outdoor adventure.

We started swim lessons on Saturday, June 1st.  Is it really June already? 

Speaking of being June already, I thought it might be time to send another photo of the house, now that it's not covered in snow!  Oh, so that's what the front yard looks like!!

Monday, June 3rd was a big day...we have officially sold our house in Streamwood!!  We could not be happier to have sold it so quickly, and the buyers are a young couple who we pray have many blessed years there.  It was a bit challenging selling it from so far away (for example, $300 to have closing documents notarized...geez!), but our realtor and attorney were so great, not to mention the snow shoveling, house fixing, and more that family helped with.  We are so grateful!!  I promised Greg I would wait to pop the champagne until he gets back on Saturday...

Spring is here...finally!

May is here, and I think spring has finally sprung!!  Lots of sunny, warm days where we can enjoy picnics and play time outside.  Love it!

This girl has a fashion sense all her own!  

On May 10th, Ben's school hosted their Penny Carnival fundraiser.  And boy, what a carnival it was!!  Food, drinks, cake walk, games, prizes, and more!  We had a great time, and Ben was quite pleased with his game prizes...mustache and vampire teeth were his obvious favorites.

Happy Mother's Day to me!  The day included:  wonderful gifts (including a flower that Ben potted for me from school), church, a stop at the farmer's market (for dinner items, donuts, and lattes), and a walk/bike ride by the river.  So lucky to be the Mama in this beautiful family.  :)   

May 18th started a long holiday weekend for us (Canada celebrates Victoria Day), so we kicked off the fun at the zoo.  Greg had not yet been to the zoo, so the kids were more than  happy to show him around.  We ventured into the penguin house this time, and it was super!  Nathalie was so cute, laughing out loud each time a penguin 'fell' into the water for a swim.   

When we got to the Canadian Wild area, Ben saw one of his classmates from school and his family.  We walked around with them for the next hour or more, a really fun time.  Warning if you are particularly fond of rabbits to skip the wolf picture below.  Apparently he had just been given his lunch, and he was quite proud to parade it all around his enclosure.  Ewww.  Thankfully, we saw the cute prairie dogs after this, followed by even cuter kids enjoying their picnic lunch.  :)

Monday, May 20th was Victoria Day, a Canadian holiday honoring the late Queen Victoria's birthday.  It also informally marks the beginning of summer in Canada, kind of like Memorial Day in the States.  The weather seemed to agree that it was summer, and so it was a great day to explore a new place in Calgary - Prince's Island Park.  This park is in the northern part of downtown Calgary and offers a great view of the skyline.  And yet even though it's downtown, it is a great place to feel like you are escaping from the city...all the green space, flowers, hiking trails, playgrounds, etc.  Sounds like there is also a large Canada Day celebration held in the park on July 1st each year. 

Cute, cute, cute!!  Mommy, Daddy, and their babies came out of the water to say hello!

Centre Street Bridge, crossing the Bow River, was built in 1916.  This bridge is actually the central point of the quadrant system of the city...all locations being NE, NW, SE, or SW from this spot.

More picnic time.  Ummm, I think Nathalie enjoyed the strawberries, by the fistful!  Ben has happy to have a break after all that bike riding.  A beautiful day to enjoy the outdoors and the city with family...thanks Queen Victoria for being born!