4th of July

We could not have asked for a better 4th of July this year. In case I have not mentioned it before, we have had amazing weather this summer. When people heard I was due the beginning of August, all expressed that sympathy that I would have to endure the 'largest' part of my pregnancy in the Kansas heat. But, as luck would have it, we have not had the heat this year. Until last week, we had not reached 90 degrees and even then it has only happened twice. Needless to say, I/we have been very thankful. And the 4th was no exception. Our parade was at 10:00AM. Last year it must have been at least 90 degrees - it was not very pleasant. This year, it was 73. It made for very nice watching weather. Our parade is no Ludington, but fun all the same. It is mostly boy scout troops, church groups, and some car clubs - Grandpa and Grandma's corvette club included. Noah says his favorite part was the tubas in the National Guard Band. Benjamin liked the police motorcycles. Bike-a! Bike-a! (Although it really bothers his brother that he calls them bikes.) I'd say the parade was definitely a hit. The boys got new parade watching hats.

Noah quickly learned how to scour the street for throwed treats. He ended up with quite a pile of candy.

He even shared it, surprisingly. Benjamin got to try his first sucker. He knew right what to do with it. It dripped down his arm pretty good but he didn't seem too bothered. At one point I looked over and he had it laying in the seat under his leg. I thought that meant he was done but he was not happy when I took it away. Apparently, he just had it there for safe-keeping.

After lunch and a nap - attempt for some - we went to Noah's friend Grace's for the evening. It was the same house we went to last year and it was just as nice. There was a nice picnic and plenty for the kids to play with. Noah (and daddy) tried out some sparklers. (Yes, Grandpa Doug - he is playing with fire shoeless. I was not in charge.)

Benjamin spent the majority of his time in this Thomas toy. It was inflatable and had all these little balls. For a while both boys were in there wrestling and throwing the balls around. There was much laughing. Benjamin used it like a pool. He would flop around and kick and flail his arms. He'd squeal and laugh. Needless to say, not many other kids got a chance in the Thomas.

Lucky for them, there was also a giant bouncer. Of course all the kids loved this. I talked daddy in to taking Benjamin in for a bounce. (He has been in one before but he doesn't jump yet, so I wanted daddy to show him how to do it.) This picture was taken just before the entire thing crashed to the ground. Good news is, something just got stuck in the motor. Christopher did not blow a hole in it. Fa-shew.

So, as night fell, we headed to the beach area and watched the fireworks. Everyone stayed for the show this year although mommy and daddy each had a boy on their lap. I think Noah was more tired than scared but his retreating made Benjamin think he should too. We saw some pretty ones and as always, it was my favorite part of the day.