We had a wonderful day on the 4th. We started out by riding our bikes with our friends in the kids' parade in the morning. We decorated our bikes and rode them from home (fun, but just a wee bit far and uphill for my 1969 Schwinn 3 speed). Thank goodness Marc planted our car earlier and rode his bike home, because it was raining when we left the festivities and riding home tired, in the rain, no fun.
After the kids' parade we watched the big parade. I just love a parade, it is so much fun. This is such a wonderful little home town parade. It's missing two things, however, Shriners on little bikes wearing red fez's, and giant floats covered in flowers. I realize it's not a flower parade, but still, giant floats with waving girls is a must for a parade.
After the parade we moved into the nearby park for the Fourth Fest celebration. We bought hot dogs and corn on the cob from the Lion's Club for lunch. How wonderful is that? It makes me smile just to write about it. To go to the park on the 4th of July and buy a hot dog from the Lion's Club, that is All-American to me. Even though the rain was starting by now, we really had a wonderful time sitting in the grass and eating and visiting with our friends. I wish I had pictures of this, but I didn't even think of it- so pause now to imagine for yourself what it was like. Did you get a warm fuzzy feeling? Yeah, me too.
The rain finally sent us home a little early where we napped and re-grouped for the afternoon/evening activities. Grandma (Marc's mom) had us over for a lovely dinner and from her house we were just a few blocks away from the fireworks. Maddy really enjoyed the fireworks, I was worried they would scare her, but she was in awe of the colors and designs and decided her favorite was the big purple kind.
I have wonderful memories of my mom and dad loading us up into our green Volkswagen bus and taking us to an old shopping center called Villa Plaza. We would turn the seats into a bed and open the back hatch and watch the fireworks and snack from a big brown grocery bag filled with popcorn. I remember the loud booming fireworks scaring me for a few years, but I'm over it now. Villa Plaza isn't there anymore, it became a mall.
3 comments:
Fun! I have to upload my pictures and then I'll see if there are any worthy of you stealing. :) We had a lot of fun hanging out with you. Jordan loved sitting in the police car. The 4th is just a great holiday. We didn't end up going to see fireworks...it was a crazy enough weekend and Jordan's bed time was late enough without staying up for fireworks. Maybe next year. :)
I love parades. I grew up going to parades at every possible holiday or at least watching them on TV. Mike had never seen a parade until we were married and went to the St. Patrick's day parade in Chicago. He lived such a deprived life until I came along. JK.
Your fourth of July sounds dreamy minus the crummy weather at times.
We had such a good time. We still talk about it.
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