Canada Day in 15 Photographs

 Off we go! Look at us here. Everyone looks optimistic about Canada day before getting on the bus for a 50-minute transit experience at the Canada Day at Juliana Park. Although we had a few brief rough patches, things turned out pretty well. Katie is holding the camera in this pic.

 Here is little Janna showing off the latest in Canada-Day fashion. While we waited for the bus, Janna and Jesse literally “danced” for about five minutes, which in Janna’s case meant spinning in a circle.

 Auntie Katie was a huge help in managing the children, and she did it all with a smile on her face. Notable, this photo was taken at Lincoln Fields, right beside APARTMENT 1004!

 Jesse’s brotherly concern for his sister has really taken off in the last few months. Whenever he feels that she is “taking the wrong path,” he takes her by the hand and leads her back. It’s usually pretty sweet, except for when he’s in a hurry and drags her across the floor. Also cute is the fact that she really likes it when he pulls her along and she puts up with it way better than when WE try to direct her.

 Lately, when we ask Jesse to smile, he’s been giving us this. It’s the effort that counts, right? Note: Momma is very relieved to have found a seat together on the bus, and Janna (possibly the bravest Vance) is petrified at least at first. She warmed up to OC Transpo by the end.

 Happier!

 We finally arrived at the fair, and we balked when we found out that we couldn’t get on the rides with Jesse. I mean, Jesse still won’t let us put a quarter in the moving spaceship ride at the mall, so how would he handle a genuine ride by himself? We stuck him onto the fire truck and this is what we got…

No problem! The ride starts and we have one happy boy. His face lit up like I’ve hardly ever seen it! 

 Meanwhile, Janna discovered one of the most incredible foods known to mankind… and this occupied her for most of the rest of the trip.

 Ride #2 for Jesse. As soon as he sat in this truck, he assumed this aura of seriousness, as though he had discovered his one true calling.

 Janna and I watched the events from the sidelines. Little did I know it, but she was systematically rubbing as much cotton candy into the back of my shirt as she could. Now the back of my shirt has two giant blue splotches on it.

 Chrissy and Katie, the true heroines of this story, kept us all going. Tired, but still smiling.

 On his epic truck ride, Jesse developed this incredible practice of waving LIKE THE QUEEN as he drove by. Without exaggeration, he queen-waved every single time as he went by, so that parents to our sides began to wave back in amusement. Clearly he felt the full dramatic weight of the moment.

 After a brief traffic jam, we were on our way home. Janna had occupied herself by chewing granola bars, spitting them onto my shirt, and then rubbing them in. Katie thought this was pretty endearing….

Almost home. Jesse had a minor meltdown when he got out of his seat and was pitched against a bus pole, but Chrissy sedated him with a granola bar. Super mom! Altogether, I’d say this Canada Day was a huge success. Now we just need to add another little Vance to the mix!!!!