O Canada.

I know I'm a little late to this one but phew, we have had a busy last couple of days and I'm exhausted.

I stayed up until midnight the day before making my kids Canada Day t-shirts. I think they turned out pretty cute, and Lily's was supposed to be covered in buttons, but she picked them off before I had a chance to sew them on, so I just said to heck with it. It's fine the way it is.

Ava's was just a hand cut maple leaf out of fleece material.

For Lily's I stitched around a template of the maple leaf and then went around again in a messy sort of fashion (like I do with my scrapbooking)

Here's the paper template I used.

You could use any picture you wanted. Just stitch right over the paper and when you're done carefully rip the paper away and you're left with a super cool pattern.

Here's what it was supposed to look like with the buttons.

You can really see the stitching in this... see messy. That's the best way to do it when you're a perfectionist like me. Just make  it messy on purpose, then you don't feel so bad when your sewing machine goes crazy and stitches in places, you didn't want it to. 'Nuff said.

Anyways, Hunter's t-shirt was the last one that night and I was pooped out by that point. So I just free "stitched" the Eh. And the places where it was kind of messed up, I just zigzagged stitched to make it look more manly and rugged. He was happy, and that's all that matters.

Anyways, there is a point to this... I don't have $30-$40 to go buy everyone Canada day t-shirts, but I love to do fun things like this for holiday's. These shirts cost me about $12, for all three. Don't ya love a good deal?

Alright on with the rest of the day.

So we went to the parade after driving around forever to find a parking spot. We had to hike into where it was and Hunter complained the whole time how tired he was. (it was seriously like a 15 minute walk) What lazy children I am raising.

I snapped a couple of pictures at the parade. It wasn't anything fancy, although when the bag pipe players came I started crying. I just felt a surge of pride for my country and all that it stands for, and the freedom we enjoy living here. I heart you Canada!!!

So, earlier that day I was up at 8:00 baking and cooking for the late lunch we were having after the parade. Nicola and family plus the Missionaries (did you ever doubt that one...)

In true Canadian spirit I wanted all things red and white.

So I made a red jello flag cake.

 

Oh wait, and here's a picture of me...

I like to take a lot of my pictures outside (natural light photographer, of course) So anyways, when I was carrying this outside one of the berries slipped out of place and Darren thought it was so hilarious to take a picture of me fixing this stupid jello flag.

Well, pffttt to him, it's not stupid it was cute and I like it, so there.

And of course what would a holiday be at my house without some patriotic cupcakes.

After eating the kids went swimming and the adults weeded the garden. How great it that? But seriously, I need my mom to come out here and help us figure out what's a weed and what isn't. Akkkk!!!

We finished the night off by heading down the the water to see the fireworks. Well, apparently everyone in Sarnia and surrounding area came to see them. It was packed with people. After Nicola counted heads for the hundredth time, we finally settled down to watch.

I wish I could say it was the highlight of the day, but in all reality, it was probably one of the worst fireworks displays I have ever been to. Boring with a capital B.

Thank goodness we are able to see the American 4th of July fireworks from Sarnia. (they do them right over the Canadian/American water) Now we KNOW that will be a show to see. Thank you USA!!

Don't worry Canada, I still love you!!

Comments

[Poppa D]

You certainly put us to shame - all we did was watch some of the fireworks from our bedroom window all the way up at the Stampede Grounds.

[Nikki]

The shirts are crazy cute! Happy Belated Canada Day to my favorite East Coast Canucks.

[Lynn C.]

CUTE SHIRTS! You are so talented! Love the photos of the parade and fireworks. They don't look boring from where I am sitting! I can't imagine what the USA works will be like too. That is cool that you will be able to see both.
THat jello looks great! My daughter made the same one for our Canada Day get together. So yummy.

[Sherelle]

OMG...the shirts turned out soooooo cute! I love them! Especially the button one and the Eh shirt! It's so fun to see all of your creative ideas!