Memorial Day

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2024 will occur on Monday, May 27. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season. " 

Source: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history

Also, "Despite being synonymous with lighthearted fun like cookouts, Memorial Day is also a lot more than just that. Above all else, the federal holiday is about commemorating the millions of brave Americans who gave their lives defending the values our country was founded on. As John F. Kennedy said, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them." Over the past century, red poppies became a symbol to represent that ultimate sacrifice. As the holiday approaches, you'll notice these bright flowers everywhere: pinned onto clothing, tied onto rearview mirrors, or hanging in windows. Whether actual flowers are plucked for the occasion or a fabric or crepe paper version is used, the meaning of the red poppy is clear: It symbolizes the memory of fallen soldiers. " Source: https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/a39540754/memorial-day-red-poppy-flower/

In Canada we have this opportunity: https://lnfcanada.ca/digital-poppy/

Roll a Dice

 We found a freebie from: https://crazyspeechworld.com/2014/06/roll-a-story-freebie.html and decided to make our second (perhaps yearly) story dice game.

Barron rolled the dice and got these results:

Character: Principal 

Setting: Playground

Problem: Water Pipe Bursts

Mine are:

Character: Principal

Setting: classroom

Problem: A Book is Lost

Barron's story:

A Holiday to Celebrate Queen Victoria

 Today we celebrate Queen Victoria on Canada. Some intriguing facts:

"Queen Victoria was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901.

She was born in London on 24 May 1819 to a German princess and an English prince.

She became Queen of the United Kingdom Great Britain at the age of 18 after her uncle King William IV died.

She learned to speak and read German and French well. Queen Victoria enjoyed dancing, drawing, horse riding and singing.

Victoria married her first cousin, Prince Albert, in 1840. He supported science, trade and art in Britain.

Victoria and Albert had nine children. They believed that a good family life and Christianity were very important. In general, English people followed their example.

In 1861, Prince Albert died of typhoid fever and Victoria stayed away from public life.

Britain became more powerful in the following years, and in 1877, Victoria got the title ‘Empress of India’.

In 1897, she celebrated 60 years of being queen surpassed her grand father King George III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain .

She was popular with her people by the time she died in 1901. She was queen for 63 years, seven months longer than any other king or queen of Britain before her.

Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband died in 1861. She was so distraught that she withdrew from public life to mourn, in fact It was rumoured that she herself had died.  A few years later in 1866, because the people of Wolverhampton had extended such kindness to the Queen in her time of mourning, she accepted an invitation to unveil a statue of her beloved Albert. No other town had managed to gain a response such as this, so you can imagine the excitement." Source: https://www.funkidslive.com/learn/adventures-through-time/queen-victoria-visits-the-black-country/

 

Norway Maria and Guy

 

In our books the

Spring Mandala+Library Goodies

Our spring welcome Mandala from our beloved seasonal shop: https://gabitatemporium.com/products/mandala-template

Barron and I found a lovely tree growing outside the local Canadian Tire store: 

This book is divine Lilacs: Beautiful Varieties for Home and Garden (2022)

by Naomi Slade (Author), Georgianna Lane (Photographer), thank you mississauga library staff for an excellent search selection: 

Some lovely library discoveries: