Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee!

Chang chang changady chang da chang

That's the way it should be . . . .

Growing up, Grease was my favourite movie.  My dad even bought me the record from a second-hand store, and I would belt out the songs while poring over all the pictures that were on the jacket.  I loved Danny and I wanted to be Sandy, not the naughty Sandy in the tight black leather pants, but the one who wore flowing yellow skirts and white blouses . . . just thought I should clarify that.

The only problem with obsessing over movies as a little girl, is that you begin to think that this is actually how life is supposed to be, and you begin to expect that all big moments in your life will be accompanied by carnivals and people who spontaneously break out into song and dance routines in unison, or at lease I did.  Needless to say, I suffered from some major disappointments while growing up, and the biggest one that comes to mind was prom night.  This truly is a tale of woe, and I will not go into all the gruesome details but let's just say that it started out with a REALLY bad hair cut, followed up by a dress that was not finished and was still being held together by pins, and ended with an after-party in a muddy field complete with wind and rain.  When we showed up, I took one look at everyone sitting on their coolers in rain coats, and I thought "this wouldn't happen to Sandy, Rizzo, maybe, but not Sandy".  So, I told Derrick that it was time to go home.  I was so disappointed!  Where was my carnival? 

Looking  back, it was moments like this one, and trust me there were lots, where I learned that life is what you make it.  You are in charge of making your own carnival moments; they don't just happen.  So, in my household, we celebrate all of the special and not-so-special days with gusto! 

For the last day of school this year, the kids and I began the afternoon with pool parties at friends' houses.  Zoe had her own to go to this year and seemed quite happy to be bidding farewell to her dear mom and brothers. 

If you like to party, make sure you have good friends with pools!  (Thanks again, Joselyn!)



Avery was feeling a little camera shy that afternoon.



Once the Big D was done work, we all met back at home and headed to the the fair. See, life can emulate the movies . . .

But first, a little snooze was in order.

I guess I wasn't the only one left completely wiped out after last week's shenanigans.

 

Then we hit the rides:

After everyone was feeling sufficiently squeamish, it was time to play some games.  Zoe and Avery each chose the dart game and won stuffed puppy dogs.  Elliot's game of choice?

Nothing says fun quite like a family whacking some moles:

Luckily, Elliot came away the victor! 

 (A big thank you goes out to the kind carnie who granted Derrick's request and declared him the winner even though he actually came in fourth.  See, you can never leave celebrations to chance!)

Here is Avery trying to figure out how Elliot won with only 50 points, while he had 80 . . .  tee hee!



I love how Elliot didn't question it at all!



The paparazzi can grow so tiresome!

Follow this up with dinner at one of our family's favourite restaurants, Vito's, and you've got yourself one awesome End-of-the-Year celebration complete with a carnival and some singing and dancing if you include my serenade to the family of Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts".   I love carnival music!

Happy First Day of Summer Vacation!

(I know it's growing old, but I couldn't help myself!)

p.s. Celebrations do not have to cost a fortune.  I nearly choked when I learned how much 3 bracelets at the fair cost!  In fact, we had just as much fun last year at the beach followed up with some homemade pizzas and a movie night.  As long as you put some thought and effort into it, any moment can be special!

Oh, and some really cute kids help too!