Family Day Weekend

The holiday was first celebrated in 1990 in Alberta.  The holiday was proclaimed by Lieutenant Governor Helen Hunley, on the advise of her premier, Don Getty.  Premier Getty said it was important for all Albertans to take time for their families.  This holiday would reflect the values of family and home that were important to the pioneers who founded Alberta and give workers the opportunity to spend more time with their families.  One of the reasons for introducing Family Day was that there was a long period when there were no holidays from New Year's Day until Good Friday.  

Family Day was introduced in Saskatchewan in 2007 and in Ontario in 2008.  British Columbia observes Family Day as a statutory holiday for the first time in 2013.  

Manitoba introduced Louis Riel Day in 2008 and Prince Edward Island introduced Islander Day in 2009.  

Some people think this is a waste but when you see people enjoying a day off in the middle of the long winter with their kids on the toboggan hills and skating rinks I think it is much appreciated.

Our long weekend went by quickly.  Friday night we had friends Dave and Helen over for dinner.  We alternate hosting Friday night dinners and it was my turn to cook.   Saturday morning it was snowing but the weather man said that would stop so we decided to take Big Mo for a run to charge the batteries and blow off the dust.  So we headed to Peterborough which is about 1 1/2 hours from here.  We stopped at Tom's sisters for a visit before heading home and into a snow storm.  We were glad to get home when we did. 

Sunday the sun was shining and the temperature just about freezing.  Tom got out the garden hose and gave Mo a bath to get rid of the road salt and grit we picked up yesterday.  And on Monday we had the kids, as well as Dave and Helen for a turkey dinner.  Turned out to be a nice weekend.

What a motley crew!!  Until next time - safe travels.