Happy Fourth!

For once, Fourth of July wasn't a sweltering, miserable day. Per tradition, the kids and I (accompanied by their daddy for the first time!) made our way over to the annual Fourth of July Parade. Unlike past years where we had melted in the sun minutes after arriving and before the parade had started, this year we relaxed in the (relative for this area in July) cool, overcast day, waiting patiently for the first "float" to pass down the road.

The kids associate parades with candy; not floats, not horses, not motorcycles-- candy. And this one was no disappointment. We had chosen our location well; to the left, there was a family with two small kids (one younger than Hunter, and one just little older than Hunter, both confined to strollers), and to the right, a mom with one son, probably upper elementary age. What did this mean? Why, more candy for Leah and Hunter, of course! The kids on the left were too young (and too confined) to collect the free sugar being hurled their way, and the one on the right only collected what he liked. (Unlike our kids who grabbed all the candy they could get.) During the course of our stay (just over an hour, but before the parade had ended), they managed to fill a bag with candy; they had more candy than they get at Halloween!

We left the parade with two tired, sugared up, and happy kids (no surprise since candy makes kids happy).

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That evening, we headed over to friends' annual Fourth of July cook-out. Again, the weather was perfect, so after dinner, everyone headed outside. The kids ran around with friends, wore devoured snowcones, played corn hole (or watched the older kids play it), drew pictures with chalk, and chased each other with riding toys, while the adults had a chance to visit and relax. We were having such a good time that we really didn't want to head home, even though we had two exhausted and smelly kids who needed to be bathed before bed. 

So, reluctantly, we headed out. We managed to get the kids into bed just as someone started shooting off fireworks (we could hear them). Although we ourselves never saw any fireworks, it had been a happy and relaxing Fourth.

Before the parade

Hunter appeared a bit overwhelmed by the parade; he basically sat on the curb the entire time, an anomaly for our busy boy who is constantly on the move. Notice the Frisbee and Tootsie Roll. Guess the Frisbee was a sort of security blanket, since he never put it down. As for the Tootsie roll, well, he just took his time nursing it.

Going in for MORE candy. One minute, he had a Tootsie Roll. The next minute, it was gone, and he had an unwrapped lollipop in his hand!

Mommy and her snuggle-bug

Daddy and his princess

After awhile, Leah asked to take pictures. I think she had seen enough of the parade at this point. Above you'll see what really mattered about the parade (well, that and the horses).

Not too bad, Leah!

I don't think the hubs checked the photos; otherwise, I don't think this would have survived.

Flag bouquet