Annie Kate's bike handlebars
4th on the 7th

Our fourth of July was not what I was hoping, but the fact that no one threw up I felt I could hardly complain.
The weather was absolutely wonderful in the morning and most of the day. We managed to get out that morning and make it to our neighborhood parade. Annie Kate loves decorating her bike for such events. It always amazes me how non-embarrassed she is to go all out. Taking photos for me was painful. I felt horrible, I was tired, my camera seemed so huge and in the way, so I only snapped a few.

but this photo was one of my favorites. We live in the most American neighborhood, big front porches, flags everywhere and bunting - oh I love the bunting. (they don't put bunting on their porches in New Mexico)
This cute darling couple sat on their porch of their darling yellow house (a total far out dream for me to live in a yellow house) on the parade route and waved to everyone. I need to print this photo and put it in their mailbox. I just wanted to run over there and hug them!
another photo of a house on the route with everyone waving.
at the end of the parade route is a carnival for the kids. This is our second year and Annie Kate run to get in line for the dunk tank again. She did it like 4 times and loved it.
Caroline was thrilled for the pony rides and specifically wanted this pony. Sally Jane was so tired by the point and ready to go back to bed. And I guess I didn't look so great either because Jeff came up to me and said, "you better get that look off your face, you look like you are about to throw up" and laughed and said, "I feel like I am"
So after that we went back home.

(pineapple with ribbon is the best hostess gift)

Fortunately our friends invited us over for dinner so we would have something to do. But Sally Jane did not last long and the night ended early. We even had a hail storm during dinner which is always exciting to watch. Once we saw that the National Mall was evacuated due to weather about 2 hours before the fireworks, I told Jeff that was the perfect time to go downtown as we would have any seat in the house. But even the spontaneous us, had no energy for such an event. We saw a few fireworks from our house and went to bed early.


I had such a great 4th post in my head that I wish I would have drafted earlier, but I will have to save it for next year. It is amazing how much a little sickness stopped our little family for two weeks.