4th of July Weekend Retrospect

It may already be the eve of the eve of the next weekend, but yes, it's true: I'm just now saying good riddance to the last holiday weekend. You should know there's a good reason for this dear readers (I mean, faithful Jess). You see, we just officially ended the 4th of July celebrations here at Casa Wags today so according to that confession, I'm actually rather punctual and pretty darn prompt. Life has not allowed much time for the art/act of blogging and there's just something so sweet about having so much fun that I don't have time to capture and record the moments and memories at the end of the day because I'm just too plain tuckered out and punch drunk ( and maybe, just maybe, captivated by a good read before bedtime).

The long weekend was stingy short. It flew by, but that seems to be the relative cadence of this muse we call summer...ever elusive and tempting to leave us before we've taken in all she has to offer, give us, teach us. And yet I find myself intoxicated by the refreshing cocktail that was equal parts family time and time with friends garnished with sweet tastes of time alone too.

On Sunday, we donned our red, white and/or blue (except in my hubby's case...orange tye dye and please forgive him for he was at the Rush concert the night before), our stars and stripes, patriotic tiaras, peace sign necklaces and tattoos. Then we biked down the parkway to the parade, which has been our tradition for almost a decade now. Wow! We have ourselves a ten year tradition! We found a place in the shade to park our rides, wave to our friends, collect cheap, stale candy and celebrate America's birthday.

After the parade of mascots, veterans, vintage cars, clowns, dogs in dresses, scouts, horses, Harley's, cheerleaders, politicians, and fellow Americans, we made our way to the neighborhood festival to have some lunch and a little more fun. T. Bone was mildly disappointed that Grandpa wasn't around to ride The Zipper with him like last year. He braved The Magic Carpet and The Hang Glider alone instead while Miss Bit white knuckled the Bumble Bees and the Teapots. They went in the fun house together and the following pictures are proof of that certain feat!

Oh, and maybe then they conned us into letting them play a game or two so they could win the had to have prizes that are already in the garbage.

That afternoon we were invited to a gathering at my brother and sister-in-law's. This is their new dog, Rover. Rover was a wedding gift, and Miss Bit is still trying every trick in the book to make him her's. Just for the record, I was the lone holdout that he should not find a new home. He is, after all, the perfect pet for them...he doesn't shed, need to be walked or put in the kennel when they travel.

Grandma and Grandpa joined us for Fourth of July festivities. The fun included a steamy game of wiffle, an impromptu water war welcomed for the relief from the heat it offered, delicious food cooked perfectly on my brother's mini Weber, savory conversation, cool cocktails and backgammon by flashlight. We heard, but did not see fireworks, much to Miss Bit's chagrin. Call CPS...I almost turned myself (if you must know) and I'm still guilt ridden although I am not mosquito bitten.

Monday the kids swam the morning away at Grandma and Grandpa's with their cousins, and then we spent the afternoon with friends in the neighborhood bbqing before baseball. Tuesday we woke up with plans to head to the lake, which didn't seem at all promising given the dreary, foreboding forecasts. Thankfully, the weather people were as off as can be as usual, and we, in fact, enjoyed a beautiful afternoon beating the heat. It was serendipitously sublime.

On the way home, we stopped for ice cream...the perfect end to the perfect summer day. The kids couldn't thank us enough for the whole day the whole way home. It was the best of the weekend, and it was up against some stiff competition. Tomorrow we kick off another weekend. Happy Friday!