Franco-Ontarian Flag

Yesterday the Franco-Ontarian flag celebrated its 37th birthday (it was first used September 25th in Sudbury). For those of you who may not know what that flag looks like, here it is:

On the left is the fleur de lys, which is a positive symbol for French, here. (In France, it represents the monarchy, the kings and queens we've got rid of a few centuries ago and is therefore not so positive)
On the right, the Ontario flower (the trillium grandiflorum, or white trillium).

I'm sure you're better than me and can guess what the colors (white and green) represent. Now that I know the answer, I think I should have been able to find white. What's white in Ontario? Especially in northern Ontario (where you find most of the Franco-Ontarians)? Yes, snow. The colors represent the seasons. I guess there's just winter and spring since there are only two colors (and honestly, I tend to agree, since I find summer very short, and fall is like winter to me!).

And now, here is the song associated with the flag (well, at least the song Julia and Kelden learnt at school!).

Now I think I should make a family flag and have a family song!

Happy Birthdays !

We celebrated three birthdays this week. The second one was Ashley's and the third, Linda's. We did the cake first and then the gifts for Ashley, the opposite for Linda.

For Ashley, we (well Keld) followed the golden rule and gave her what he would want to be given...(and has actually been given in the past). Do I need to mention what that would be?

For Linda, it is Julia who took care of the gift.

Our kids didn't really eat lots at the party, not even cake (I guess it was too nice to be eaten, and I don't even have a picture of it!), but they ate from their goodie bags at home.

Kelden keeps asking me why it's not his birthday too! There are quite a few more birthdays for others before it's actually his turn...Patience, patience...

Stake Conference

Last week-end was our stake conference in Sudbury, starting at 11.30 am with a service activity. We were on time (our alarm clock never fails-thanks Zack!).  We were assigned a nice park, close to the church. The kids were able to help and play as well.

In the afternoon the kids played at the church, while Keld attended meetings.

I don't have more pictures as I was too busy following Zack around in this dangerous place. I knew it would be particularly difficult as Zack doesn't sleep in the afternoons and I couldn't go for a walk, like I have done before, because Julia and Kelden would have both been fighting for the seat in the stroller. Sister Goldthorp tried to help me  the best she could and taught Zack how to stick his tongue out. He still can do do it.

I stayed for the evening session while Keld and the kids enjoyed the pool at the hotel. They had a lot of  fun, but Keld was too busy to take any picture. But he told me they were good and very helpful.

We got ready early enough on Sunday morning and headed back to the church. Keld jokingly told the family seating in front of us that they should move because our kids are pretty noisy. They said their kids were probably noisier. Then an announcement was made on the microphone to tell people to quietly take their seats and Zack started screaming and screaming and the father turned back and said : "You win!"

While Kelden slept most of the session, Zack only fell asleep for the last half-hour. Then, of course, everybody was awake all the way back. Kelden had us stop for an emergency bathroom break and Zack made sure Keld didn't fall asleep by screaming very regularly. We finally made it home and I was going to make cookies or something for Mom's birthday but the most wonderful home teachers came and so I decided to postpone. We made crepes for her yesterday instead. I read this morning that she had celebrated this week-end with Dad, so she did have a special day on her birthday.

Sorry Dad you missed it!

The Door Project

James and Ashley bought a new entrance door and Keld said he would install it for them. Don't be mistaken, this offer wasn't made out of pure generosity, Keld needs projects like that as an excuse to buy tools (his wife won't let him buy any if they're not used). How many tools do you need to put a door into place will you ask? Well, that depends on how many Keld wants to buy :) But trust me, he did use his big tools...

But, first things first. Here's the before picture:

It's Graeme holding the old door. He likes to help too (or maybe he's testing Keld to see if he will hire him as well when he moves into the house he just bought...). The two of them were a great team. They looked like they knew what they were doing and really enjoying themselves!

And now, the "after" picture:

and now, back to Julia's bed...

Happy Birthday Uncle Jeff

I have two brothers-in-law who were born on September 11th. What a shame to have to share a cake!!

As you can see, I got my inspiration for this cake from our future pilot!!
We didn't have any more matches (I also need new candles) so Keld used his torch...

And now, the traditional song:

One last picture (I know it's not the best) that was taken a week before I met Jeff.

Yes, I do like pictures of Jeff when he was shorter than me :)
We hope you had a great birthday!!!!!!!!!!

School's in, but Summer's not out

Going back to school makes it feel like it's the end of the summer but we've actually had really nice days lately. We've been enjoying them, since we know winter will be long. For example, we brought Papa to the dinosaur park.

He had a good time with his boys. Julia was working on the monkey bars. She's been trying all summer but has only succeeded once so far (I know, my kids are definitely not athletic)

We also went around the lake, something Julia likes to do but I think Zack walked-or ran- just as much as she did this time!

And, since it's been so warm, we got the sprinkler out again!

Hopefully the kids can still enjoy the sun after school. It was Kelden's first full day at school today and he got to take the bus with Julia, which greatly diminished her amount of tears. (I wish I could say she did not cry, but that would be a lie).

I took this last picture as he was coming home. I think he had a good day!
But don't ask me how my first day with just Zack and I went; it was depressing. At least last time (when Julia started school and I waited for her with Kelden) I was pregnant, so technically it wasn't just the two of us. This time, I feel old.
In the extra time I had today, I put all the baby stuff away, wondering if I will ever need it again.
Did I say today was depressing?

The Stairs

As you may have noticed, our front stairs have changed. They were cement stairs, they are now wooden stairs. Keld and his dad were trying to straightened them up (they were all crooked after they were moved when we needed to fix a crack following our second flood) but they broke them instead.

Before

 

Keld likes woodworking (and cement stairs are twice as expensive as wooden stairs) so he made new stairs with cedar.

During

I think he did a good job, and it didn't take too long.

After

Now back to his other project (Julia's bed is still not finished!)