Fun on the 4th

The 4th of July was everything we hoped it would be. It was hot, busy, fun, carefree, and full of friends and food. 

Our friends, who live on the parade route, had a huge party this year and invited us (along with half the people we know from the kids' school) to come and watch the parade at their house. There were three tables full of food, coffee and juice, and a bloody mary/mimosa bar. Very nice way to start out the day.

The parade was about two hours long (holy moly!) and we made it til the end. Then it was down to the river to watch the cardboard boat regatta. That is always a favorite.

When we'd had enough of that we visited a fantastic old fashioned ice cream parlor on the other side of the river. Yummy!

Believe it or not we headed back home to have more food. It was time for a cookout with the grandmas. Yum-o!

After dinner we cleaned up and finally got to relax for a little while before we packed everyone back in the car and ventured down to the lake to watch the fireworks. Once we got there we still had quite a while to wait. I had bought approximately eighteen thousand glowsticks (necklaces, wands, balls, etc) for the kids but didn't want to use them yet since it was so light. We had forgotten a football or frisbee so the boys just went crazy tackling each other. I think they frightened a few spectators. I asked them to find something else to do (tag, perhaps?) but they could think of nothing fun. I suggested "Go, go, stop" (aka- red light, green light) and was met with blank stares. I know I had taught this to them before but apparently they had forgotten.

So, up I went to play with my kids. After a few minutes I had almost the entire park of kids playing "Go, go, stop".

Every time I thought I could sit down with a nice cold drink in my hand the kids would beg me to play again. "Could you please play, mom? It is so much more organized when you play." the kids begged me. I have to admit, I had a bit of fun too. That is a good game.

Finally it was getting dark. The glowsticks were brought out of the bag and we settled in to watch the fireworks. It always amazes me how excited my kids are (out of their minds, excited) to go and watch the fireworks and yet when the show begins they hardly even watch. Crazies.

Still. It was a good time. We had a primo parking spot and made it out of there before the traffic even began. Yes!

Even though it was late when we got home we still set off a few fireworks of our own. It was a good day.

 4th of July Parade 2015

4th of July parade 4 years ago- 2011

Wow. Time flies.

Hope you all had a lovely, safe, and happy 4th of July!