For da July!

That's what Ivy was chanting earlier as she danced around on the porch pretending to use an American flag for a "brella".   Jack was in  our bed at 7:15 this morning exclaiming the same.  The kids are serious about the 4th of July.  

And can you blame them?

 
 Parades and rocket car rides and children running barefoot in the streets with squirt guns all afternoon...  This neighborhood just oozes wholesomeness on holidays and today we did a great job soaking it all up, I must say.

 The day began and ended with some spotty rain but had a whole lot of perfect in the middle,with some breezes that were a welcome change from last year's heat. We had brunch with the neighbors, the kids had their faces enthusiastically painted by a sweet 8 year old, we racked up a total of three rides on the rocket car, and the whole family marched in the parade. This was the year for Jack-- off he went, riding confidently at the head of the parade, carefully pacing himself to stay just behind the maypoles... Then, chatting with friends and neighbors as the kids played in pools, decorated cupcakes, and ran with the pack of kids.  Jack was in his element, joining with some other young boys to chase a few very tolerant high schoolers around with squirt guns.  We hardly saw him for an hour.  

We capped off the day with a cookout with gram and Bec and sparklers in the yard.  

Tomorrow, off to Farley's.

Tonight-- reveling in the glow of loving, really loving, where we live. 

 
 

 
 

 

 By the way, Nat and I have been married for 7 (busy, wonderful, changing, exhausting, rich, amazing) years.  We celebrated on Monday with a sumptuous dinner out at the Greenhouse Tavern, then the free orchestra concert and fireworks downtown.  It is good to remember just hour much I love spending time with this man. We had so much fun just walking and talking and exploring downtown together. I am so lucky.