National Day!

Ja vi elsker dette landet . . . (yes we love this country) states the first few words of our national anthem. The 17th of May is our national day, and in Norway celebrated with the children in focus. It’s like Christmas to them!

We got up early in the morning to put on our national costumes and head for the first (of three) parades for the day. At 08:00 the flag is hoisted while the band of my neighborhood is playing. My daughter is playing the flute and this was her first year participating in the 17th of May celebration as a flutist. All the marching bands play a central role this day, so she was kept on her toes from early morning til late evening.

Being the parents of a young flutist we are also kept on our toes. This day is a very important day to raise money for the band, so while I enjoyed breakfast with the kids, Alf headed for the school to sell hotdogs, sodas, coffees and ice-cream. Most Norwegian kids will be allowed to eat as many hotdogs and ice-creams as they want this day, so the sales are high when families are waiting for the main parade to start.

After the parade we headed home for lunch and games in the neighborhood before we again headed back to school for more games, more ice-creams and hotdogs and more fun. As Oda is in 4th grade it is our responsibility to organize the school events this year, so while I was watching the kids, Alf was running the show!

My three beautiful kids in their national costumes. 

Oda, Alvin and August

Alf is selling hotdogs, soda, ice-creams and coffee 

to happy parents and kids early in the morning.

8 AM - and time for the first of three parades

 this day. Oda is playing the flute.

Look at the crowd waiting for the parade to start!

The various sports clubs participated in the 

parade in their own outfits. Meet the skiers!

Monther and son!

Oda taking part in her second parade of the day. 

Ready to go home! Daddy only have to disassemble the 

stage at school first. Note the tie under the orange workman suit!