Parades, popsicles, and pyromania

It has become a tradition for the neighborhood kids to decorate their various riding toys and put on a fourth of July parade for any interested spectators. Since there are way more kids in the neighborhood than interested spectators, the number of parade participants greatly exceeds the number of onlookers, but this year our family contributed to both groups. Forest, Ramona, and Mika were participants and Paula and I were onlookers parked on the corner of Claret and Sienna streets.

The kids all met at the park to pick out decorations, courtesy of a local church.

 At about 10am, they were off.

 Each at her own pace.

Paula seemed very serious about the whole parade experience. That little mouth of hers simply would not smile.

But she did get mildly excited about holding a blue balloon that fell off of someone's bike.

 We spotted Ramona a few minutes into the parade . . .

 . . . and eventually, Mika rolled in, too.

Mika finished her parade route right there next to me and Paula. Ramona went back to the park to get a red, white, and blue snow cone.

 Once inside, Paula seemed happier about the parade decorations than the parade itself.

 Later that afternoon, some friends came over to swim with us at the pool.

Then after dinner, we went out front to observe all of the excitement on our street. Lots of sparks, pops, and smoke to celebrate the fourth of July. The perfect entertainment to go with popsicles and ice cream sandwiches.

Once it was dark outside, our street had another level of entertainment--live fireworks, provided by our slightly pyromaniac but otherwise responsible neighbors. :)

Paula didn't appreciate the show very much so I put her to bed, but everyone else was happy to stay up and watch. Our neighbors held their breath when a police car pulled through the smoke after one display, but it just kept driving past as though there was nothing unusual to note. The show went on!

Visitors!

Jii and Baachan were our first visitors to stay in the "new" basement at the end of June. They don't get to relax very much when they come to visit us--the girls are eager to play with them and they always end up doing a lot of babysitting. But at least this time they got their own bathroom, and their own level of the house for sleeping (which was hopefully a little bit quieter).

We spent a lot of time at parks the first couple of days they were here. The first day we packed some onigiri and met some friends at Spring Canyon Park.

The next day, we did our second annual trip to the Peter Pan park and H-Mart in Westminster.

After shopping our fill at H-Mart, Jii and Baachan treated us to some mochi ice cream. We enjoyed our treats in the car before taking off to go home.

Later that afternoon, Jii pulled about ten little frogs from our window well. 

 The girls were thrilled to play with them.

Another day, some of us tried kite-flying. We got the kites up a couple of times, but there wasn't quite enough wind. Also, we were hot and sweaty, so this excursion didn't last long. Still, I had fun--I haven't flown a kite since I was a child. Being a mom can be hard work, but it always gives you great excuses to play and relive childhood memories.

 That evening, Mika got some early birthday gifts from Jii and Baachan . . .

 . . . and she gave them big hugs.

On the Sunday during their visit, Jii and Baachan came to church with us. That day I was released from a calling (job/position in the church) I held for almost three years. I got to bring home a pretty arrangement of flowers and Baachan took some pictures for me.

Thank you Jii and Baachan for staying with us and playing with us!