Fourth of July sizzle - fireworks

Since our fireworks were cancelled we headed over to Takoma Park... along with a lot of other people. The small festival turned huge (with so many other firework displays in the area cancelled). Again though... what is the 4th of July in the nation's capitol WITHOUT fireworks!?!?

So a long trek and numerous stops for directions later, we made it. The sno-cones made the trip in the (oppressive humidity &) heat much better!

It was crowded!

But we definitely enjoyed the nearly half an hour of fireworks lighting up the sky.

What could be better than fireworks, flags and family on the fourth? More family - thanks for making the trek with us Grandma... wouldn't have been as much fun without you.

Fourth of July sizzle - bike parade

It was a HOT Fourth of July here. Luckily we had A/C back, but the damage to the area meant that our usual Kensington fireworks (in walking distance) were canceled!!  What is the 4th without fireworks?!?!

So we decided to try a new tradition - the Kensington bike parade - complete with free ice cream afterwards. Unfortunately, that was cancelled TOO and no one told us.  No one told a bunch of other kids, including my neighbor Maddie, too. So we made our own bike parade, played at the grey park, and went out for ice cream with my neighbor afterwards.

Maddie, Mave and me. 

We were all decked out for the 4th. We got to decorate our bikes and everything!

Davin decorated his scooter.

Grandma went all out too! (Daddy was a bit more of a grump, but he did put on a flag shirt... we'll take it!)

Our festive transport bonanza.

A hot grandma

Five days before the 4th of July we had a huge storm come through and knock down trees EVERYWHERE.  We lost power for 3 days!!

I thought it was fun because Grandma Aileen came to visit and she had to have a sleepover in my room -- it was WAY cooler (~10degrees) downstairs that upstairs.  Daddy said, "Physics works." Whatever that means.

Grandma was awesome. She stayed at home with Davin and me while Mommy and Daddy went to  work and the doctor. We put on a puppet show for Mommy & Daddy.

And we did tons of arts and crafts - a butterfly wind chime, beads... anything I wanted!
She stayed for a whole week this time!! And lucky for her, there was only 1.5 days without power (and A/C). We got power back before the hottest, over 100 deg, days hit. Whew.

Davin's 2nd birthday party

A bit late but it was worth waiting. We had so much fun at Davin's birthday party today. Almost all of my (and Davin's) friends came.

The Princesses. 

Davin was way more into the bounce house than dress up.  He wouldn't leave it!!

Ring around the bounce house.

Zoe taking a snack break after bouncing with the big kids. 

Arts and crafts time. Check out our cool hats.

Davin wanted to put the stickers on his shirt. He didn't get that it was supposed to go on his hat! Silly boy.

Then it was eat-eat time. Yummy hot dogs and hamburgers. 

The little kids went first. They didn't make much of a dent. 

 Davin's best friend! She's only 4 days older than Davin.

Davin got a couple of turns... he is the birthday boy afterall!

Neighbor Maddie (aka snow white) was serious about cracking it open. She made a big dent, but no goodies.

My school friend Maddie was just as determined. Again, another good dent on the other side, but no candy or toys.

But it took the big kids to do enough damage to get all the goodies.

The final blow. 

 And the aftermath... toy and candy carnage.

And if we didn't have enough sweets... it was cake time! Soccer game!

 We extended the party for some late comers and bounced almost the whole day away!

I can't wait until next year and my birthday party!!! I'm thinking of a Princess Fairy theme though... not a sports theme.

cousin

We have a cousin!!  And born very very close to Davin's birthday! Auntie Ea should have arranged it better so it was the same exact day.  Oh well... now I have another family member to boss around.  I'll take it.

We'll be celebrating Davin's birthday this weekend with friends, a brand new play set and most importantly a bounce house. Can't wait!

Picts to be updated tonight and when we get permission to post from Auntie Ea.