There is definite truth in the phrase “when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade”.  We went camping for Canada Day and the weather was miserable.  It misted off and on for two days and we did not see the sun once.  We made the best of it though.  We had campfires, roasted marshmallows, took the kids to the park and the beach and visited with friends and made lots of new ones.  We also seen the best fireworks display I have ever seen.  It lasted 45 minutes and was absolutely amazing.  Of course, when it came time to leave the sun decided to make an appearance.  Isn’t that always the way?

entrance to the campground

gabby

braeden

mommy and gabby

the girls enjoying treats from the parade

beautiful fireworks

sand sculptures on the beach

roasting marshmallows under daddy’s careful eye

Yesterday we took the kids (and the dog) out to Cabot Park in Malpeque.  I use to go there as a kid and play on the sand dunes.  I was surprised when we went down on the beach that the sand dunes were no longer there.  Many of the provincial parks have signs  asking people to stay off the dunes.

We stayed on the beach for a bit.  Raf and Braeden were playing catch when Raf spotted a young eagle.  It was huge!  I wish I had a better zoom on my camera.

We took the kids through the trail in the woods and found a small patch of wild strawberries…yummm!   It was a great day and the kids really enjoyed themselves.  I didn’t forget the dog this time either.

playing catch

taking sadie for a walk

walking through the woods

wild strawberries

the ditches in PEI are filled with lupins…very pretty

My son graduated from Junior high last night….eeeek!   He will be heading to high school next year for grade 10.  What really makes it weird is that I can remember going to my grade 9 graduation and heading to high school like it was yesterday.  I don’t think you ever get use to your kids growing up.  It just seems to happen so fast.

Everyone is so proud of Braeden

ME…at my grade 9 graduation

To the three special men in my life; my hubby, my father and my father-in-law.

my dad

hubby and father-in-law

Today I had the opportunity to fill in as a music teacher.  I had a great afternoon with the kids.  The music teacher is young and really connects with the kids. She makes learning music fun.  On beautiful days like today, she takes the kids outside for class. What a concept! Most of the teachers have been doing that these past few days and I think it’s great.  Today, I got to spend the whole afternoon outside with the kids playing games and singing songs.  I love my work!

Lucy locket lost her pocket

Kitty Fisher found it

But not a penny was found inside

instead a ribbon around it.

Not for me.  I’m usually not in the water before mid July.  But the kids had a great day yesterday at the beach.  Grace was in the water most of the afternoon.  Braeden and Gabby took a quick dip and that was enough for them.  I went up to my ankles and that was enough for me.  Sadie, our dog enjoyed the water as well.  She is definitely a beach dog.  All in all, it was a great afternoon.  Braeden and Grace played together all afternoon without arguing once.  Grace and Gabby had a little tiff over beach toys, but that didn’t last long.

I love beach days!

enjoying the water

a feather in the water

beach day + dog = one happy puppy

loving the beach

going to check out the water

tomorrow is the big day! we will be heading out around 9am and probably won’t get home until supper or shortly after. hope the weather cooperates!

a few weeks ago hubby and i took the girls to NORTH CAPE which is the western tip of the island. They have a windmill farm there and it was the first time we had seen them. i was pretty impressed. the weather wasn’t the greatest, but we’re hoping to make it back up again. we have a few things planned this summer and i’m hoping we can squeeze it in.

tomorrow, i am participating in a cystic fibrosis walk in souris. there will be a bbq and games for the kids at the starting point of the walk, THE ELMIRA TRAIN MUSEUM.   i have some very close friends in souris i met at summer camp and i dated a guy from there one summer. it’s one of my favorite places on the island. it’s been a few years since i have been there, so i’m really looking forward to taking the kids (hubby is working). there is another wind farm on the eastern tip of the island so i’ll be taking the kids there as well as BASIN HEAD, one of my favorite beaches. i would also love to stop on the way home and visit GREENWICH NATIONAL PARK. it’s alot to squeeze in, but i’m game!  playing a tourist is fun!!

here are some pics from our trip….great day!!!!!  the kids and i had a blast!

Greenwich Provincial Park

East Point Lighthouse

Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis ~ Elmira Train Museum

old friends (me in the middle and always the shortest!)

Last night was my son’s school production of shakespeare’s A midsummer night’s dream.  What a performance!  The show was not an exact duplicate of the original because of course the content of the original is not really appropriate for kids.  I think their version was much more entertaining.  In fact, it was hilarious!  There were some points during the play you couldn’t hear the actors because the audience was laughing so loud.  I’m glad I recorded the performance and hopefully I can post a few clips.  Braeden played the role of “quince” and he did a great job.  I hope braeden will continue with the drama program next year in highschool.

good job braeden! 

taking a bow

the “after party” 

Today, we took the girls to the wind farm at North Cape. The weather was horrible, but we had fun. I took a picture of the elephant rock, or what was left of it. I added a pic of what it looked like back in 1995. I’m not so sure you can call it the “elephant rock” today.

1995

2009

We are hoping we can go back again this summer when the weather is much, MUCH warmer.

brrrrrrrrr!

the wind farm

the wind energy interpretive centre/wind and reef restaurant

hubby and the girls

north cape lighthouse

the very tip of the island where the tides meet

the tignish wharf

In the last 2-3 years, drama has exploded within the schools.   My son has been involved in drama for the past 2 years.  In the last 2 weeks, I have attended 2 plays put on by the local elementary schools and I was totally blown away by their performances.  What I like the most is ALL the kids are involved in the production.  Whether they are one of the main characters or a stage hand, everyone is involved.  I was involved in sports when I was in school and while I attribute my confidence and abilities as an athlete to these programs, I have spent time on the bench.  Not everyone is involved in a game.  Some are left on the sidelines and you wonder how that is suppose to build confidence.

There are a few more performances coming up and I will definitely be going.  Grace is really enjoying the plays as well.  Hopefully she will follow in her brother’s footsteps and take an interest in drama.

Braeden in last year’s production of Romeo and Juliet