Saturday morning, the 4th, we woke up and started getting ready for our subdivision's annual bike parade. Sadly, it was raining while we were putting streamers and other decorations on our bikes so we made a group decision to postpone the 2 and 4-wheeled adventure through neighborhood and do breakfast instead.

Here we are at Benedict's. "Smile and say 'bike parade!'"
The kids were sad that the parade was off, but what's better than noshing on pancakes with your buds?

All American Boys

When we got back from breakfast, the rain had subsided so we headed out on our very own bike parade. Logan on his bike, Bear in his car.

Mackenzie & Ella are ready to roll!

Aiden got a brand new bike for his birthday from Memaw and Grandpa (Bumblebee Transformers - awwwwwsome!) Here, I think he's concerned about being left behind! He did such a great job riding his own big boy bike...he was in the front the pack during our roll around the hood.

Rendezvous on South Litchy

Brady gave Ashley's scooter a spin. Have we mentioned how he thinks he's a big boy?? The only snafu during our parade was that Logan lost one of his training wheels about 100 yards into the ride. He did a great job riding without it for a little bit, but got a bit freaked when he toppled to the side so Brian carried the bike most of the way, Logan walked :( and I pushed Bray in his little car.

On Sunday, we tried to head to the neighborhood pool, but it was inexplicably closed (no sign...no notice...we're thinking the life guards just didn't show until later in the day). Sooooo....daddy decided to create a bunch of water fun in the backyard. Step one: the world's biggest slip 'n slide. He took the tarps off of the fence from the get messy party, layered them on the lawn, hosed them down and...it actually wasn't as dangerous as I pictured in my head!

Daddy took the first slide down...I even went a few times myself!

Brady busied himself filling the water table.

We ended up in an awesome water fight! Logan and Aiden were on my team! At one point, I had the backyard hose and Brian pulled around the one from the side of the house in a battle of spray!

Brian took the kid wash down from the fort and used it on the slip 'n slide.

Mackenzie and Ryan made their way down to our house. Brian got the idea to fill up a punching balloon with water.

He took it up to the "fort" and splashed it down on the kids (then we hunted through the house to find another punchy balloon and did it again).

The town fireworks were cancelled on the 4th due to rain so we planned to go on the 5th instead. Here are the boys in their Sunday "red, white and blue"

We got to the fireworks area with some time to spare so the kids played with a variety of "toys" provided by all the moms and dads. Here's Logan throwing some poppers

Susan hands out some ammo :)

Aiden tries a popper too

Bad picture, but here is Logan with a sparkler

Aiden and his sparkler (we even let Bray have a couple!)

The fireworks were really good. Brady was a riot with his oooohs and ahhhhhs. I'm just happy we got to see fireworks at all...I was worried there for a while :)