Syttende Mai

May 17. Norwegian Independence Day. A major holiday in Norway, and for a small population of Minnesota. Tony got to celebrate his 25% in style. He wore his hand-knitted bunad (traditional Norwegian clothes). His friend Gunn made it for him. It was shipped straight from Volda, Norway. Despite the 80 degree and humid weather. Tony wore the all-wool outfit. It's probably the one and only time he will be able to wear it, so regardless of weather, he was wearing it!

Tony went to Grandma and Grandpa Dunsworth to Mindekirken, the Norwegian church in Minneapolis. They do the service in Norwegian and bunads are the norm, especially on Syttende Mai. He got to hear the Norwegian Glee Club of Minneapolis sing, complete with trumpeters from St. Olaf College. (For all the out-of-town readers: yes, this does exist and is not some Saturday Night Live sketch or one of Rose's made-up stories from The Golden Girls.) Following the church service was a parade through the neighborhood. Tony waved his Norwegian flag high! What's great about this is that Mindekirken is in a very urban and diverse area. I'm sure the neighbors have never seen anything like this before now. The parade concluded in a park where they had a hot dog picnic, more music, and dancing. Tony lasted through the hot dog, but then was tired. A nap soon followed. That's a lot for a little guy all before 1pm. Even though I wasn't there to see all the festivities, I was so happy that Tony got to participate and that my parents took pictures! Mange takk!