4th of July Fun!

I love the 4th of July. I've been reading 1776, actually David McCullough is reading it to me. No, I don't have the author chained up in my pantry, it's the book on CD. I actually cried today at the kitchen sink while listening to the recounting of the American Patriots incredible defeat of the British during the seige of Boston and the words spoken in a Sunday service, attended by George Washington, by the Reverend Abiel Leonard "who chose for his text Exodus 14:25: 'And they took off their chariot wheels, that they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.'" (1776, pg. 106) Can I just say at this point that I think George Washington is completely amazing and I'm still SOOOO bugged by the outcome of that "100 Greatest Americans" nonsense on the Discovery Channel 4 years ago. George Washington came in 4th place, which is so completely ludicrous. There wouldn't BE a country to celebrate on Independence Day if it wasn't for Washington, so take that Ronald Reagan!

Anyhoo, back to the local festivities. I hauled my family down to the parade and we found a nice patch of grass to sit on while we enjoyed the sight of homemade floats and the music of the city's rival high school bands. Of course, we forgot the camera, cuz we're bad that way, but we did go...just ask my long-suffering husband! The best part was that the weather was overcast and not too hot, so the people selling water bottles for $1 each out of little red wagons didn't make much money, but we were comfortable.

After a break for lunch and naps we headed back out to the local fair to eat cotton candy and elephant ears and let the kids go nuts on the inflatibles (for a fee, of course). 20 tickets bought us 45 minutes of jumping, sliding, and general hullabaloo. Merritt stuck to things he could climb up and slide down, while Grace and Grant had fun in the pink castle bounce house. Luckily, Grant is still too young to realize that he doesn't like pink and he was quite happy to go with his sister into the princess castle. Merritt wouldn't have been caught dead in that place.

We had a hot dog roast at Grandma's house, which was yummy and fun, and then headed out to see the fireworks display. It was actually very good, and my expectations were high after years of watching the Stadium of Fire almost burn down Provo once a year. Hooray for our wonderful country! I am so very grateful to be an American.