Week Four

Week Four of Summer Vacation!

This week began with our community Stampede breakfast. Each year we enjoy the delightful breakfast of live music, yummy food, treats for the kids and the bouncer. This year the kids got sheriff stars on Laredo’s to match last year’s bandanas. After filling up on pancakes, eggs, sausages, baked beans and hash browns it was time to hit the park circuit.

The first stop was at Belvedere-Parkway and then we were off to Bowness park. The weather warmed up, the sun came out and we were all happy to hang out for a few hours. DaddyJ took over the spin master duties, sending SparkJ and CubJ into fits of laughter. At Bowness there was great fun to be had trying to out run the Mommy-paparazzi!

Tuesday we met the cousins at Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump. This is an amazing interpretive center describing how the first nations people have made use of the cliff to hunt buffalo for over 5700 years. The site does an exceptional job of explaining the importance of the buffalo, the planning that goes into the hunt and use of all parts of the animal. The information presented shows the complex culture of the first nations people, the devastation that can happen when we take nature for granted and power we all have to affect change. One can quickly see why this historic site is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site as it helps its visitors value nature and the lessons already learned by past generations. We highly recommend a trip to Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump if you have the chance.

We have lost cabin pressure, place your chip bag over your mouth and nose while breathing normally!

Fort MacLeod for lunch!

Wednesday, we were off to the Calgary Stampede! The kids had a great time riding the rides, exploring all of the fun houses, and playing games. We managed to eat our fair share of mini donuts, hot dogs/corn dogs, cheddar nuggets, root beer and lemonades. One of the highlights of the day was our tour through the Agricultural section. The kids loved seeing the cows, horses, pigs and learning about the growing cycle of plants including canola. Conveniently, after doing a report on Peru and Alpacas, CubJ got to see both Alpacas and Lama’s. SparkJ loved seeing the Budweiser Clydsdales and their sleeping Dalmatian dog. For me the milk and cookies from the giant milk container at the end, are always a great treat in support of the food bank!

Snack time! All hail the returning donut hero, the wagon wheel and chocolate milk!!

Friday morning we met up with our cousins for dim sum. It is always a happy day when the cousins get to hang out together, let alone when there is rice and egg tarts involved! Everyone ate their fill of delicious food and enjoyed a second visit this week. It has been spectacular having so many fun chances of visit with our cousins this summer. We are always thankful for the chances we have to hangout with our cousins, this year has been outstanding.

Saturday night it was time for a bbq with AuntieC and UnlceR. Luckily we were also able to also visit with GrannieJ and GranpaG. It was a so nice to see all four of them. We enjoyed a delightful dinner of ribs, potatoes, green bean salad and amazing velvet cupcakes. It was an ideal night of catching up with dear friends, delicious food and lots of laughter. The kids enjoyed the chance to visit, play with the animals and make good use of the ever indulgent UnlceR. He managed to hook CubJ up with enough butter for four potatoes when he ate one, and managed to get SparkJ another half of a cupcake despite all of the protests of Mommy and Auntie! It was a wonderful evening and an ideal way to wrap up the week.

Week four was the week of adventures! We enoyed family, friends, historical sites and all of fun of the Stampede. While it was a sad year for the Calgary Stampede, we enjoyed one of your best trips to the grounds ever. We hope that week five will bring CubJ great fun at sleep away summer camp and SparkJ her own special memories.

May this post find you all well and enjoying your own summer!

Best wishes,

MommyJ