Small-town partying

So after Paul took the boys to the hot air balloon launch (at 6:00 in the morning), we ate breakfast, packed up the car, and headed to Nana and Papa's house. We thought we were pretty clever waking the boys up super early so that they would sleep on the five-hour drive, but the joke was on us. Nono, who I was most worried about (and who did not wake up at 6:00), actually did a pretty good job considering that he hates his car seat. I would say that he slept for about 80% of the trip. The other 20% he was pretty disgruntled, but still manageable (thanks to the string cheese and other assorted snacks I packed). D slept for roughly 45 minutes, and Lt, well, he didn't sleep at all. What? That's right. He didn't sleep at all. And trying to keep a busy little boy happy in a car seat for five hours is not an easy job. He was pretty irrational (due to the lack of sleep and complete resolve to not sleep), bossy, hungry, and loud the entire duration of the car trip. Thank goodness Uncle Jeff came with us (and by come with us I mean drove the whole way) so there were two available adults for handing out books, toys, snacks, and drinks. We were happy to finally arrive and were all geared up to experience the Fourth of July in a small town. It was pretty hot while we were there, but the boys didn't mind at all since Nana and Papa had plenty of squirt guns waiting for them. They seriously spent so much time in the backyard playing (and not squirting the cats...).

On the Fourth, the weather was overcast and actually pretty bearable - no sunscreen necessary! We started the morning attending the annual fireman's breakfast at the park, which went from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. Well, I heard rumors of bacon and juice, but I guess you have to show up earlier than 8:45 if you want the good stuff. Maybe next year. D wanted to go to the breakfast until I informed him that it would be pancakes, eggs, and sausage; then he quickly decided that he would much rather have a bowl (or six) of cold cereal. So it was just the adults (minus Nana who stayed home on babysitting duty) who went.

After the breakfast we packed up our gear, got the kids ready, and went to find a spot to watch the parade. Now a small-town parade is a lot different than a big-city parade, as you'll see from the pictures. But the kids loved it. Any time candy is getting thrown at you is a good time, right?

When the parade ended (20 minutes?), everybody headed over to the park for more festivities. To kick of the afternoon there were a lot of races - foot races, three-legged races, wheelbarrow races, and potato sack races (and maybe some others that I forgot) - where participants get money for competing and winning. Then there's the money grab where the firemen throw tons of money (coins) onto the street (used to be the basketball court) and kids get to try to gather as much money as they can while being sprayed with fire hoses. Good times! And there is also a watermelon bust. And softball games. I had to take Nono home for a nap, but everybody else stayed at the park. Nobody thought the boys would participate in any way, shape, or form - nobody. BUT they fooled us (again!)! They totally participated!! Lt, I think, ran one or two foot races and D ran a lot - some not even for his age group just because he was having so much fun! D came home with $1.85 (I can't remember how much Lt got.). I was so happy that they did it and had fun! They were not interested in the money grab though and came home after all the racing was done.

We spent the rest of the afternoon just hanging out, eating good food, passing time until it was time for the fireworks. Most people in town gather at the park to watch the fireworks, but we always watch them from the front lawn. When the fireworks started I looked to see how the boys were doing. D seemed to be enjoying himself, but Lt was sitting in his little chair with his eyes squeezed shut super tight! Poor buddy was so scared!! So Paul held him in his lap and then he was okay watching the fireworks after five minutes or so. (Hate those sonic boom fireworks though!) The fireworks were super - much better than I ever remember them being! Oh, and Nono slept through the whole thing!!! We really had a great time at Nana and Papa's. Really. Maybe we'll do it again next year?

Here we are watching the parade.

Nono actually sat on the blanket and watched the whole parade.


Lt having a great time


D having a great time


Did you see that motorcycle wheelie??? Ha ha!


Old cars

Here's Lt finishing up a little foot race.


Here's D getting all geared up...


And they're off!