Our Independence Day

July 4th in our neighborhood is so fun.

It starts off with a neighborhood parade featuring all the cutest kids and their parents, walking, riding and cruising around the streets. All of my boys love it. Gavin had a bike mishap in the first half block, involving the pedal coming off his bike. However,  after he dropped the bike off at home a few minutes later, one of the neighbors, and a dad of Gavin's friend, picked him up on a 4 wheeler to finish the parade. It probably goes without saying that he later confessed to be a little glad that his bike came apart.

These two were my cute passengers.

 Henry chose his scooter as his mode of transportation.

 There is always a short flag ceremony and program after the parade. Gavin was asked to participate in the flag ceremony and he took the occasion very seriously. He was joined by his two closest friends, Matthew and Sam. They did a great job.

 After a bit of a fiasco trying out our new raft in the morning, we spent the end of the day hanging out with neighbors and lighting sparklers and other fireworks in the street. The boys absolutely loved it. The weather and the company were great. The day really made me count the blessings that are given to me by living in this country.