July Four

We were up and out of bed, and ready to decorate bikes!  The Banana wanted a flag to go across her handlebars, and helium balloons to attach to the back of her banana seat.  We filled in the rest of the bike with streamers.

This year several of our neighborhood friends that live on our street took over the organization of the kid parade with us.  Working all together and learning from the others who had been in charge before made the transition smooth and easy.  Earlier in the week we had distributed flyers inviting everyone.  Cookies were baked.  Barriers were set up.  Ice cream cones were prepared.  We were down at the corner with time to spare and everything ready to go!

The kids were lined up ready to go too!  As the starting time neared, more and more families and kids gathered.

We were off!  Mr. SP was so excited to participate on his bicycle this year instead of riding in the stroller.  I walked up and down the street with him.  

After the parade there were treats and socializing.  Mr. TOF loved the ice cream, and ended up with two cones before the morning was over.  Oh well, it’s only the Fourth of July once a year, right?  He may have had a cookie as well.

After the parade and clean up was complete, we met in the yard of our neighbors up the hill to hang out.  The grown ups chatted and the kids ran around like maniacs squirting one another with water guns.  Mr. TOF was right in the mix, a part of everything.  From the moment he popped out of bed that kid was on the go!  He was incredibly sweaty after running around chasing everyone in the hot sun, and sincerely delighted as well.

In the early afternoon we went to Grandpa Bob’s house, along with our neighbors up the street for lunch.  Grandpa Bob is really their grandpa.  There was more chatting and delicious food and by the time we left in the middle of the afternoon, we were worn out!  Naps were the plan.  Everyone fell asleep except me, even though I tried.

In the evening we all met again at the house of our neighbor halfway down the street to set off some small fireworks while it was still light out because some people involved were not heading down to the big fireworks display across the harbor, since it happens so late for small people.  Unfortunately after an unexpected KaBOOM, Mr. TOF was not so much a fan of the fireworks.  He apparently is closely related to his eldest sister, who also really hates fireworks.  I brought him back home, and later on when the sun was setting, Dr. Peds gave him a bath and put him to bed.

The Banana and I headed down to watch the  big fireworks.  This year our choice of location for firework watching was the Rose Garden.  I had forgotten that we went to the rose garden a few years ago, and forgotten about what a great spot it is!  You can see perfectly there, and it’s much easier to park and much easier to leave when things are done.  Everyone is nice and polite there; the garden is filled with a calm and courteous crowd.  It is definitely going to be my choice for Fourth of July firework viewing in the foreseen future.

Right as we were parking the car we saw some friends from church, and they ended up spreading their chairs and blanket not far from ours.  The Banana went over to scocialize, of course, and she and their two girls were having such a good time together that I ended up moving our stuff next to theirs. I was so glad I did, because when the fireworks started, those three girls were just a hoot together!  They totally got the giggles and couldn’t stop.  Every exploding firework sent them into peals of laughter.  It was an unbelievably good time, and they said the funniest things ever.  The Banana and their youngest daughter Elsa are the same age, and both are missing their front teeth.  “Wait!  We have to conthenthrate!”  Elsa would say through their giggles.  Elsa was sitting on her dad’s lap.  “These fireworks  are so pretty they make my heart pound and pound!  They also make me feel like I have to go to the bathroom.”  Her dad said, “Hmmmmmmmm.”  There was just one silly moment after the next.  I was laughing the whole time.