Canada Day

I had been a little concerned that we weren't going to find any other Canadians to celebrate Canada Day with. It's not that there aren't other Canadians around - there are quite a few stationed here with NATO - but they're all military and we hadn't met a single one of them. I did some research and found out that there was indeed a celebration going to take place - but it was for the Canadian military families here and I would have to be invited by someone. *gulp* I thought that was it for our celebration. It would be the first year that I could remember not celebrating Canada Day with fellow Canadians. And then I got a phone call from one of the Canadians, whom I had never met, inviting us to attend as her guest! (THANKS CORRINNA!) Unfortunately Boeing does not have Canada Day on their calendar of holidays so Brian had to work. I went off with the kids in all our Canada garb - red and white clothes, Canada tattoos, and even a small flag attached to Vika's stroller.
The event was taking place at "Villa Maple Leaf". It's a villa in a Parco (gated neighbourhood) that belongs to the Canadian community. It's kind of like their community centre. It has a huge kitchen and dining are, a craft room, reading room, playroom, game room and a room for the teens. It really is a great facility! The yard has a huge covered patio and a very large lawn (a rarity in Naples).
There was a BBQ and more food than we could possible eat. (Isn't that always the case with a potluck!). There was a water balloon toss and some other games for the kids. Kyle absolutely LOVED hanging out with all the boys that were there. The big boys (as in teens) were so great in taking him along in all their games. I think they even honed his hide and seek skills to an all new level. He now understands the term decoy!
Vika was having a horrible day with her teething and I cannot say how grateful I was that there were so many people there so willing to play pass the baby. She sure charmed her way, even with the tears, into a lot of hearts that day.
It was great to be around such a great group of people. Everyone was donned in their red and white, was very laid back and friendly. And almost everyone had a beer!
The most ironic event of the day wasn'te ven realized until we were leaving. We had met another couple, Jason and Karin from Ottawa who were visiting their friends and came with them to the celebration. It was pure luck that someone mentioned that they were from Winnipeg, Transcona actually. That's where much of my family is from. Then upon a little more discussion we found out that Jason had dated one of my cousins, gone to school with another and another of my cousins had been his volleyball coach. What a small world!

It really was a great Canada Day for us and we were really reminded just how friendly Canadians can be!