"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." - Mother Teresa

Friday, July 4, 2008

4th of July!

After a week of prep, we finally had the 4th! I have to say, I love the 4th of July. We went to the local parade (which we left early), got naps, and went to the beach where my family was camping and had a cookout. Lots of fun.

We went to the parade with my brother Mike and his girlfriend Allison. They were really a big help with the kids. On the way, we ran in to our friends the Wrights, so we stuck with them. I find the kids do much better at these kinds of things when they know the people they are sitting beside. And, people who we know don't give me as many dirty looks. Anyway, we stopped by the Wells Fargo (our friend manages) and got a family picture with Jack the Dog. Okay, everyone but Paul who was not about to buddy up to some strange person in a dog suit. While there, we saw Joy's primary teacher across the street saving places for his family. Fortunately, he didn't mind us sitting with them. He was also a big help with the kids. Hyrum is not pictured because he was on my hip for the whole event (thank goodness for Hotslings!) He fell asleep after about 30 minutes, and that was good for everyone involved. The parade was not bad, but too many cars and too much politics for my taste.

It was during the parade that my alter-ego came out. Mean Mom said no to allowing her children to be plastered with campaign stickers. She refuses to let her kids be turned into billboards for candidates whom she does not support. And, since she is unfamiliar with local politics, no stickers were worn. Fortunately, the kids know better than to argue with Mean Mom, so there wasn't too much grumbling. Besides, who cares about stickers when there is candy to be had?

We parked several blocks away from the parade, so the wagon ride back to the car had Joy about to die. When I informed her that if she died I would have to leave her body on the side of the road, because I couldn't carry it, and I couldn't leave the boys in the car alone to come back to get it, she decided that she could make the last two blocks. That is why she looks surly in the van.

Also, I have decided that glow sticks are a great alternative to fireworks for small children. Mean Mom also said that kids whose bedtime is 7pm cannot wait until 10:30pm to do fireworks. So, I picked up a couple of packets of glow bracelets/necklaces/sticks at the dollar store, and the kids got to play with them instead. What a hit! They had so much fun, and no one came close to a spark. Sometimes, I amaze even myself with my brilliance!

5 comments:

Chivaun-o-rama said...

Ooooh...they didn't get to see the fireworks...Torrie LOVED it...with her hands over her ears she was going, "OOOOOOOhhh, WOW, ooooooooo" Just like that... LOL

Glad you had a good 4th of July :)

Kristina said...

I LOVED the 4th in Oak Harbor. I'm really glad that you didn't have to abandon Joy on the side of the road.

Celeste said...

Glowing items are a great idea! I love the shirts you painted! Do you usually come up with ideas on your own or do you find them somewhere? You're always doing something fun!

Jenna Marin said...

Alie said she had a blast at the parade with you and your family. She was giving us snippets all weekend.. only good and funny ones :)

KellyAnne said...

This last pic of the kids is adorable. And what a fun day!
Poor Joy. I wanted to offer you a ride back to your car but didn't know how to make that work. Where did you park anyway? It DID look like you had a long haul. You're such a trooper!