celebrate.

(The newspaper picture above)

A picture of Parker as George Washington ended up on the front page of the local newspaper. Our float was supposed to be a depiction of Washington crossing the Delaware. I don't know how many people along the parade route actually got it, but our float was really neat nonetheless.

When we returned home on Sunday afternoon, we were greeted by the aroma of baby back ribs that daddy had slow cooking in the oven. He had Parker and Ethan make the cornbread, threw together a simple homemade coleslaw, and opened a can of baked beans to round out the meal.

After lunch, some kids took much needed naps (in order to be awake for the fireworks), the oldest three went next door for their friend's 4th of July birthday party where we knew they would drink as much soda and eat as much candy from the pinata as they could, and mommy and daddy just relaxed.

We had a late, light dinner and got everyone showered and into their jammies so that after the fireworks, tired cupcakes could be put straight to bed. We went to the next town over, parked our van on a dirt road in the middle of a strawberry field (really.), flung the side door open and watched the show. In spite of the economy, they actually put on a great fireworks display-- probably one of the better ones I've seen in a long time.

The ride home was extremely quiet and I was wondering if that was gonna be all for the night, but when we pulled in the driveway, the creatures came alive again and began petitioning for some backyard activities.

The neighbors were lighting off rockets and bombs so monstrous that our fireworks wouldn't attract anyone's attention. Only Parker and Charlie were brave enough to go outside with daddy; The rest of the munchkins all watched from the dining room windows.

No one got hurt, nothing burned down and some kids claimed that they weren't scared of fireworks anymore-- the night was a grand success!

Parker said this was his best 4th of July ever. I think that made it mine also.