We enjoyed a wonderful Canada Day in 'The County'!
Building sandcastles and swimming at Sandbanks beach, followed by some Canada Day fun in Picton, followed by a yummy meal of stuffed crepes at the Lake on the Mountain Inn, followed by a swim in the hotel pool, followed by a spectacular fireworks show in Belleville... that had both girls jumping for joy in their pajamas! It was a fabulous day from start to finish.
Happy Birthday Canada!
When driving back to the hotel, after the fireworks show, Lilah asked me how old Canada is... 146 I said. "Oh" she replied, paused and then asked: "Do countries die?"
Oh Canada! We are so blessed to live in this fine country.
We spent a good part of Canada Day in Gananoque this year again. It's about the halfway point on our drive to Belleville/Picton, which is where we're staying this long holiday weekend! We stopped into Gananoque last year too and really enjoyed the festivities, so it was more of the same this year. We are very much creatures of habit!
After our picnic lunch and some Canada Day festivities, we then drove on to Belleville where we're staying for the next few days. And again, same as last year, we enjoyed the Canada Day fireworks from the little balcony off our room. The only difference this year is that Lilah didn't fall asleep before the fireworks started! She was pretty excited to see them and she was also thrilled with the sparklers I brought along for the occasion!
It sure was a fun day all around.
We decided to go away for a few days over this Canada Day long weekend. The Queen is in Ottawa for Canada Day and as much as we'd love to see her, we just know Parliament Hill would be absolute chaos and our chances of catching a glimpse of Her Majesty would be pretty slim.
So we booked a trip to Picton. Lilah, my dear, she was *so* excited to be going on a holiday! To a hotel AND the beach, no less! There is nothing better than that in our little 3 year olds books. She was simply bouncing off the walls and reminding us every two seconds that Piggy and Blanket had to come too! As if we'd leave home without them!
I packed a picnic lunch and we stopped into a little town (about half way to Picton) called Gananoque, for lunch. We've never been in Gananoque before, but I know we'll be back, it's such a beautiful little town. We had our picnic and then walked up the town to enjoy a little of their Canada Day festivities. It was lovely, the weather was perfect, and after I told Lilah that her shirt said 'Canada Rocks', that's pretty much what we heard for the rest of the day... "Tanaday ROCKS!" There was a fun little tricycle area set up and she loved riding around with the other kiddies. She was given a couple of Canada flags and we walked up the town to a little bakery for a cup of tea where she scored herself a sugar cookie too! On our walk up the street she had me take a picture of her standing beside and hugging each of the fire hydrants - I have to laugh that she'll find and point out little photo opportunities for me/her now!
We then drove on to the hotel, lazed around, played in the park, had supper, enjoyed the view from our room and tonight we had a spectacular view of the fireworks (in Belleville), right from our hotel room balcony. It was great end to a fabulous Canada Day. We are very proud that Canada is now our home, it really is a privilege to live in this country.
[ more pictures here ]
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O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
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