Capital Ex Parade

Last Thursday was the start of Capital Ex here in Edmonton. It is a huge "fair" like event with lots of concerts, rides, and livestock. Captial Ex always starts with a huge parade and this year my friend asked if I wanted to go. Of course I said yes! I love a good parade!

We rode the train to the parade downtown, and boy was it crowded! We finally found a place where the kids could sit and watch.

Air Canada float.

There were over 100 floats and lots of country music...I know! Country music in Canada!

RCMP (royal canadian mounted police)

This float was the "big deal" of the parade. It was Edmonton's float and cost 80,000. I am still not sure WHAT it is!

Capital Ex float.

I think this one was my favorite. Gotta love a beaver float!

Ooooh and the dragons were neat!

Kermit?

The scarecrow festival's float.....scary!

BIG John Deere!

Yes, this is a bicycle! I couldn't even fit all the people in my camera lens!

The parade ended up being an hour and forty-five minutes long...that's a long time! When it was over it was past lunch time so we hurried to find somewhere to eat. The plan was to go into the mall across the street and eat at McDonald's, but after finding two different loooong lines for the elevator, we ended up at a hot dog vendor on the street. I had never eaten at a hot dog vendor before...and it was....okay!
We found some tables around the corner that just happened to be right next to a kids play area that was set up for Capital Ex. Claire was so excited to try it out!
So, after we ate we wandered over to the big blow up slide. Now, Claire is going through this "fear" stage. She has been afraid of lots of things lately, but mostly anything involving heights. And she definitely has never gone into a bouncy house to jump. But today was a different day.

She agreed to slide down the slide if I went with her...so up we both went!

And then she WENT IN and JUMPED in the bouncy house! But, the best part was when she insisted on going down the slide by herself and she really did do it!!

Cimbing up....(I am thinking she will turn around any second!)

And sliding down!

Look how proud she is of herself! Ha! I was really proud too! She was so excited that she went down the slide about 5 more times before we left.
After that excitement we took the train home. By the time we got there, we all needed a nap! Fun days are sure tiring, even to Mommas!

Claire's first VBS

Last week was Claire's first time being old enough to attend VBS. I was so excited for her, as I have such great memories of VBS as a kid.
While we were grocery shopping the night before, I mentione to Claire that her camp starts "Tomorrow! YAY!" And what kind of response did I get? A flood of tears! I was shocked! I looked at Charlie for help and he was just as surprised as I was. Claire apparently decided that she was going to have some separation anxiety because she wailed all through Wal-Mart about me leaving her while I reassured her that I wouldn't leave unless she was happy there.
Needless to say, when we got up on Monday and got ready, I was nervous for Claire.

I got her into the church a little early and we waited for her teacher to come. Claire was a part of the "preschool crew" which meant that she didn't attend the full week and there were special activities for them. Anyway, her teacher finally came and I knew immediately that Claire would be fine. She was super nice and Claire took right up with her. She did ask if I was leaving, but when I said "yes" she agreed to let me go. Woohoo!
As I walked away, I turned back to watch Claire for a minute. She just seemed so little to me with all of those kids!
And then I drove home and had time to myself while Grayson took a nap. Yes! Time to MYSELF! It was heavenly!
When I picked Claire up she was so excited to show me her stuff that she got and tell me all about her snack. Food is important to my girl.

She had to show me a dance with her box. I also asked her what she learned about Jesus and she said "Jesus was not afraid, Mommy. Other people afraid, but Jesus not afraid." I love hearing her talk about God! Nothing like the faith of a child!
So, the week went on and when Claire went back on Wednesday the children's director was asking for volunteers to go up on the stage to sing. Well, the stage was flooded with kids and after a song or two, Claire went up on the stage too! I was so upset because I didn't have my camera!
On Friday, sure enough Claire went back up on stage. She was loving dancing up there. She was supposed to be following the dancers on the screen, but she liked making up her own moves!

This is her typical "see my pretty dress" move!
So, camp was a success! She had a great week and I am looking forward to when she can attend the whole week because she missed learning about several of the "characters" that taught them lessons each day. Also, she didn't get her VBS t-shirt and that is a key part to attending VBS! You have to have a t-shirt!
On Sunday her leader called all the kids up to the stage to sing a couple of their songs from the week. Claire happily went up on stage, but she didn't stand with the other kids. She was off to the side and she did her OWN moves the entire time. I was mortified. I kept getting her attention and pointing to her leader who was doing to motions to the songs. She would follow him for a few seconds and go back to twirling on her own. There were a few snickers around me about Claire...
Sometimes it is embarrassing to be a parent, haha!

Party Hats

We have been in full-swing "party mode" the past week. We spent the weekend shopping for goody bag stuff, food, a cake pan, and party hats to go with the stuff I already bought! I went ahead and made Grayson's birthday banner and hung it up because I was worried it would get torn...there are a couple of little people around here who like to get into stuff! Ha!
With all of the decorating and talk about Grayson's party, Claire decided she needed to make party hats. She spent two days working on a hat for everyone in the family. It was really funny because she came up with the concept all by herself. She only asked for paper and one piece of tape for each hat. Then she decorated each hat with her princess foam stickers and some coloring.
The best part was when she made us all try them on!

Grayson wasn't sure what to think about his party hat!

"Just let me crawl!"

Daddy was a much better sport!

Here are the hats she made. She forgot me so she made me one later!

So proud of her hard work!

We are super excited about Grayson's party on Saturday! I can't believe he is almost one!

Street Performers Festival

Last weekend we took off to the street performers festival. This is Charlie's favorite festival we have and it is lots of fun. We rode the train to Churchill Square and when we got off we saw the fountains were on at the wading pool. Claire was super excited! We didn't have her swim suit but it was nice and hot and she wanted to try it out anyway!

Then, we walked over to the square to see the performances. There are letters painted in various places on the square and you can check a dry erase board to see who is performing now and who is up next. We picked a random act and it was pretty good. After it was over we went into the mall to eat lunch. On the way I saw a sign on the ground that said "Dance Party! Insert coin to activate." It had a cup beside it. So, when we finished eating and came back out to the square Charlie sent Claire to put a loonie in the cup. Charlie had seen this performer on the news and thought he was funny. Claire had to tell him that she put money in his cup because he was talking to some fans. He said, "oh you want to hear some music and dance with me?!"

Claire danced it up!

We went to see who was performing next and sat down to wait for a show to start. We watched a guy escape from a straight jacket and then picked one last show before going home.
This guy was amazing! He got inside a gigantic hula hoop and twirled all around in it.

He even picked a little boy out of the audience and at the end of his show he had the boy hold onto him while he twirled him in the hula hoop too. I'm not sure I would've let Claire do that!!
By the time his show was over the kids were HOT and tired. So we headed back to the train to go home.

Grayson was out in minutes..

This girl was sleepy too, but she hung on until the train ride was over...she just loves the train!

It's hard to get pictures of me when I am always holding the camera! :)

Happy Father's Day!

**Found this post that I never finished from Father's Day**

Yesterday, we took Charlie to the new splash park I found. This one is much closer to home and is so super nice. If the weather would cooperate I think I might live there part time! I sure do miss hot, sunny weather and lounging by the pool this time of year, but I guess this is the closest thing!

Claire didn't know what to think with Charlie there too. She spent the whole time right by his side. Poor Charlie, the water was freeeezing!

She had to show Daddy her dancing!

Grayson lounged in his stroller. I love how he put his foot up!

Charlie took Grayson through and he was less than thrilled. I guess his little toes weren't expecting to touch that cold water!

"Get me out of here!"
It didn't take too long for Claire to get cold too. So, she found some birds that were fun to chase...

It was a nice "family day" together. Thanks for being such a great Daddy, Charlie! We love you!

It's getting hot in here...really!

I just want to start by saying it has been HOT here. Yes, I just typed those words correctly. We have had temps in the 90s the past several days, which it has been nice to see the 90s again...but on the other hand...we have no air conditioning. NO AIR CONDITIONING! Which has been miserable. You don't miss the good ole A/C until the temps are in the 90s and you have no relief!
The kids have had some interesting pajamas lately. I bought them nice pajamas back in the spring, but it has been so hot at night that they are too warm! Grayson especially. He has been sleeping in a undershirt and diaper lately.
Anyway, in an attempt to catch-up on my lack of blogging lately here are some pictures I have taken recently...

Perfect example of taking pictures with kids. Charlie's smile never falters and the kids never look! Arg!

On Canada Day we have some friends over to celebrate my birthday...and I decided I needed a birthday cake at the last minute. Check out my pink cake! :)

Grayson's first time in a pool. The water was the perfect temperature and he played for a long time in the pool. Yay!

I had just finished washing dishes when I looked over and saw this. I asked Claire how Grayson got a stuffed animal in his jammies and she just giggled. Nothing like 3 year old humor (though it was pretty funny!)

He had no idea there was anything back there! Charlie says that Claire is enjoying entertaining herself at her brother's expense. Which might explain the little people prince I found in his onesie yesterday...

Aren't they sweet?

Grayson's New 'Do

Last Thursday I took the kids to get their haircut. This was a big moment for Grayson...his first big boy haircut! It was a little sad to be cutting his "baby hair" but I was ready to even things up! Charlie insisted he was growing a mullet, haha!
We went to Beaners, which is Canadian-based. They have several different cars to sit in while you get your hair cut. They put Grayson in the yellow Mini Coupe because it was the most contained. It didn't matter, though because Grayson sat so still throughout the whole cut. I was one proud Mama!

Claire chose the Barbie jeep to sit in and happily got her hair trimmed. She was especially thrilled when she got glitter gel put in at the end.

I wanted to document the kids "new looks" so I took my camera along while we went for an after-dinner walk. Man, taking pictures of two kids requires super-human patience. 

Typical Grayson expression!

Finally, two smiles!

My little kids are growing up so fast!