July 4th Catch-up, Part 3, The Fourth Proper

On Monday morning we were off and running! While I finished getting ready for the day, Daddy and the kiddos played outside and had a little photo shoot. The lighting was awesome, and the kids were looking pretty cute, all patriotic and whatnot!


Grammy got some love too.


And before the day got crazy, we tried for a family photo. Lo and behold, SUCCESS! A small 4th of July miracle.

I'm told the swing had a catastrophic failure shortly after this picture was taken. That's the price you pay for a decent family photo, I guess.

We decided to go downtown to check out the festivities. The "Patriotic Program" was at 11:00 with speakers and high school marching band, so we did a walk-by of that. The kids were less than impressed. They did enjoy some playground time and there was prime people watching. We also found a giant blow up slide to try. We were very surprised when Colin ran right up the steps and ZIPPED down all by himself. Last summer he was totally opposed to rides. Gillian, on the other hand, loved rides last summer but on the 4th she got half way up the slide and had to call for Mommy. So, I went up and helped her. It was pretty fun. Super fast!

Then we found THE TRAIN.


Honest, they had more fun than their faces would lead you to believe.


Then we found a strawberry shortcake snack (a fundraiser for a local boy with SMA, so we HAD to help out). Yum.


Then we back to Grammy and Papa's house for picnic lunch! There were lots of people, food, and good times. The kids especially appreciated the doritos. Colin also spent a lot of time taking Joe and Uncle D down to the "Log Patch" (aka wood pile) and the orchard to check out the "Baby Apples" (unripe, green apples).

He's so lucky to have people to indulge him!

The kids headed for a much needed rest and the grown-ups had some dessert! Daddy and I had made this very patriotic dessert for the day, WITH sparkle candles!


After nap, Jess was kind enough to bring the C&G favorite cast of characters to life in chalk.

(That's Momo)


(And Thomas)


(And Gillian)

Then it was time for the parade!!!! Really, it was mostly firetrucks and ambulances. But that was fine with Colin. He was as excited about the 80th firetruck as he was the first. GraGra and Papa Greg joined us, and Uncle D and Aunt Cedes came along too.

(The firetrucks were a bit loud for C).


Besides the firetrucks, the kids had fun with their balloons and eating Papa Greg's french fries and drinking everyone's lemonade.






Then it was home for a very late bedtime. No fireworks for us. These two just can't make it that late. And, honestly, I was tired too! Maybe in the next year or two we'll finally make it!