Happy 4th of July

See the thought, determination?? This is what goes into planning to be in a parade!! Only kidding. But really yesterday we got to enjoy the festivities in our town. Usually we go camping in Maine and we do a lot of cool stuff too but it isn't home.
Saturday we hooked up with our friends and with Bonnie's art help we decorated the bikes perfectly with stars and flags. This morning we loaded everyone up in Bonnie's truck and headed down town. We have never walked in this parade and we did not know that they closed Main Street so the kids got a real kick out of that.
It was also Ava's first real bike ride. She has been out for a little here and there on our street but never for such a long distance and she did real well.
Here I rushed ahead to get their picture and Ava sort of lost her motion so Olivia helped her out a bit. Of course this was early this morning so the bickering hadn't really started yet. We all had a great time but were hot as H-E-double hockey sticks. Bonnie suggested a dip in the pool and we were definitely up for that. So off we headed for our bathing suits.
I am currently working a Midnight shift so after the swim we headed home for some play in the yard for them and a nap for me. When I woke up we ate dinner and started packing to go to the fireworks. We left early to get a good spot only to find there were no good spots. After a bit of grumbling we headed to a beach farther from the fireworks but closer to home so I could escape quicker and make it to work on time. I am actually glad we ended up at this beach. It was full of families-we even bumped into a classmate of Ava's, there was no drunken idiots and we were home just after 10.
The evening on the beach was beautiful and the kids played in the sand and water to kill time before all the glow necklaces and flashlights came out. I got some great pictures as the sun was going down. My best memory was all the cuddles while we watched and all the overtired giggles on the way home. It was a long and fun filled day but one of the best I have had with them in a while. Tomorrow ( actually in a few hours) we are off to start swimming lessons. Ava's first year-I can't wait to see how that goes.