Day 12 - Calgary Heritage Park

Today was our last full day in Calgary. We woke up early and were ready to go by 8:30. Corrie told me that there would be thundershowers, so I was dressed for it. Good thing I decided after seeing the blue skies that the kids didn't need their coats.

It turned out to be 20+ degrees and very hot! And there I was wearing dark long pants, plus a long sleeved knit shirt! Hot! Thankfully I had bought the kids all sunglasses for the icefields, so they were set for the sunshine.

We found the park and boy was it a big one! We took the trainride around and then the kids spent much time on all the fair rides. I was determined that we had come to the Heritage Park and not the Fair, and therefore we were going to see it all. I had to drag them away, but we did return later, so they could continue their rides.



We went to one of the fancy houses and they had a little play while we were there. It was about the housekeeper teaching etiquette to a cowgirl. It was really quite funny. While she was teaching the housekeeper asked if anyone else wanted to try out the lessons. No volunteers came forth. A little later, while another part of the play was going on, Tsega (age 2) began walking very 'properly', with her hands slightly out at the sides. It was very cute, and just like the lessons.

Well! One of the characters that had just entered the play noticed this right away and zeroed in on her. She immediately headed back off the edge of the play area to the safety of mum. It was very adorable.

Cassidy was encouraged to take part in the play and he helped them with the ice experiment. We went to the little schoolhouse and the boys all had fun doing the lessons in their age bracket.






I took Briton on the Ferris Wheel and while we were going around for the *twentieth* time (thereabouts, seriously!) I asked him, "Is this fun?" "No," he replied. "Is this scary?" "Yes," he nodded.

At the same time as finding it scary, he didn't show it and wanted to go on again. I think it was the length of the ride. It made my stomach feel gross!

Dane found a convenient way to pack Briton around on his back - on top of his backpack.

Briton was very quick to bring his slate up for the teacher to see. He drew circles. *smile* As usual the big kids were great helpers with the little ones.

The Kids Enjoying an Ice Cream

Goofy Austin

After we came home from the park, we had leftovers for dinner, and then we all headed to the waterslides for one last swim. I had promised the kids that I would go on the waterslide tonight. I was not impressed with getting cold. As anyone knows my favourite spot is the hot tub! Well, I couldn't renage on my promise, so at the end of the time I hit the slide.

Without using my noggin I decided to take Briton since I am an adult, afterall, and all the kids had been taking the little ones. So why couldn't I? I sat down in the slide and put Briton on my lap and off we went. It was great fun. I was never disputing that! It was the cold I loathe!

So as I spin around the three loops, I am thinking of the cold entry at the bottom. A four foot drop into shocking cold water. Sure enough, I come around the corner holding Briton on my lap and I enter the pool. Now, the last time I was in a water slide (and all other times) the exit of the slide was into a shallow 6".

Not so this time....

I shot into the pool with toddler in arms. My feet shot out from under me and we both went down. We headed right for the bottom of the pool. I could feel Briton slipping in my arms and I knew we were both under water. I couldn't get him up until I got my feet back under me. I scrambled around trying to lift him up into the air. We both surfaced at the same time. He was just fine. All those times I have been splashing him and playing in the water, deliberately getting him very wet, has paid off. He was not impressed apparently, according to observers, but he was not yelling or crying.

When we turned around and headed for shore, I could see everyone of our group standing all around the pool. Corrie told me they were just about to dive in and rescue us, as we were down for a long time. I think it was about 10 seconds.

The irony here is that I wouldn't use the waterslide, because I feel this need to have an eye on each of my children *all the time*. Then it turns out to be me that has the problem!

Well, after that, I said I would not take little ones again! LOL!! The children enjoyed sliding and giving me ideas on how to go faster or this way or that, and it was great fun. But my times of sliding with littles was over! I would leave that to the pros!

After our swim time we headed back to the room, packed up our stuff, and then had Corrie's kids over for one last movie: Alvin and the Chipmunks. Then off to bed because tomorrow we are heading to Banff for the day, and then on to Corrie's for a few more days of fun.