Nick and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary on Aug 17th. We celebrated with a Greek meal around the swimming pool with the boys. The swan that was swimming in the pool at our wedding reception made an appearance after I retrieved her from the rafters in our garage. I dusted her off and I loaded her up with flowers and set her afloat. Nick was so happy to come home from work and step out onto the back deck and see the table set and the swan swimming in our pool. Happy Anniversary. I gave him a cd of music from the 70’s and an iron ornamental birdbath for our garden as a reminder and token gift. I think the boys liked hearing us say “I love you” to each other and knowing that our marriage and love is strong still after all these years.

Finally the peaches are plump and sweet. You can get fresh baskets of Niagara peaches almost anywhere. Yummm. So tonight I made up a lovely concoction for a peach Margarita. In a blender make a slushy of fresh peaches, triple sec, tequila, squeezed fresh lime, ice cubes and peach concentrate. It brings a nice glow to your complexion but watch out for the brain freeze View image. Cheers everyone.

You all know the song!!! If I was there Laura, I would be singing it to you along with Happy Birthday. You have the perfect day for a party and a sleepover in your new tent. Take lots of crazy pictures and have lots of fun. We are all thinking of you and we want to buy you tickets to a performance. You have your choice but you have to let me know when to order the tickets for. Check out the Toronto tourism website for “The Blue Men” or “Cirque du Soleil” and let me know which one you choose. Both shows are premiering in Toronto and then head to Las Vegas.
Lots of Love sent to you today.

I believe that someone out there who reads this blog is celebrating a Birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY IAN. We are all so excited for you now that you have reached that half century mark. Did your family surprise you with FIFTY candles on your cake? Hope you are celebrating in style and fine fashion as you are well deserving the pampering. We are lifting a glass and toasting to your health, wealth and happyness. Cheers

Just a quick note to let everyone know that Steve’s team had a fantastic tournament and are USSSA World Series champions. A great job done by all the boys and apparently Steve pitched great. Despite the 107 degree heat on Friday, it was a little cooler Saturday at 103. The boys rallied and beat the Texas team 12 to 8. The Texas team have only lost 3 games until they met the OBJ’s. Congratulations to everyone on making Canadian baseball history as we are the first Canadian team to win the world series 17u team. On becoming World Series Champions for not only the first time in Ontario Blue Jays history, but the first time for a Canadian team to win a U.S. World Series or National Championship.

Brian is flying off to Calgary tomorrow to attend a month long camp with CISV. This is an International Peace/Leadership camp. Brian was interviewed and selected to be a Canadian delegate for the 15yr old camp hosted in Calgary. He will be with kids from Great Britain, Jordon, Argentina, Columbia, Ecuador, France, Greece, Italy and Iceland. He will be living and boarding at the Calgary International French school. He will participate in a conference like setting with various field trips to show off the Canadian way of life to the other delegate teenagers. The kids plan and organize their own camp programs. He is all packed and ready to go.

The Bako’s are enjoying their pool this hot and humid June. With temperatures well up into the 30’s most days the back garden is being well used. We celebrated Father’s Day traditionally with a bbq dinner. This year I splurged and bought a Blizzard Ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. Nick got 4 solar lanterns for the garden and a solar fish to keep the pool temperature hot. The back yard is our place of solitude away from all the rigors and stress of our everyday lives. I hope everyone is enjoying the heat as we are.

Last Friday was Steve’s Prom. He looked very smart in his black tux and bow tie. I bought him a rose for his lapel and a disposable camera to venture off to his dinner dance. The parents all met at a friends house to take pictures of the young ladies and gents all dressed up. Some I hardly recognized as I’m so used to the jeans and tshirts and running shoes. They had a brief reception until the suburban limo showed up. Then all was a buzz and the kids wanted to get the heck away from the parents. This particular group rented rooms at a local Comfort Inn for their after party. They stayed up practically the entire night and checked out at 11am. Steve came home to sleep for the rest of the day. The boys get off easy as all they have to do is show up. The girls did all the arranging and the fussing.

The boys went out to their high school Athletic banquet last night. They wore dress shirts and ties with burmuda style golf shorts and sandals. It was way too hot last night to wear long pants and sit at an awards ceremony. Brian came home all smiles with an MVP plaque in Nordic Skiig and Steve was awarded the School Athletic “L” letter for overall scholastic and athletic achievement. Only a few more weeks left and another year bites the dust. Summer is just around the corner.

Yesterday was our flower delivery day. The boys hockey team did a fundraiser and sold annuals and hanging baskets to help offset their trip at Christmas. It was a huge success as we sold to neighbours and friends. We had the truck drop off at three houses to help control the inventory and distribution. I still have four families to deliver to. Talk about Flower Power!