What a Happy Fourth of July

We couldn't have asked for a more wholesome, all-American fourth of July. We kicked it off with a very sweet kiddie parade at Aunty Sally's house (actually we kicked it off with a crazy stressful morning trying to get out of the house, but hey, let's sugar coat a little here), then a huge neighborhood picnic, where Bella was weirdly fascinated by the dunk tank--for like, AN HOUR. It was all very Norman Rockwell and it was just the kind of fourth I pictured with little kids.

Red, White, and Bella!

Our cutie pie niece, Lily.

Ready for the parade! Look at little Emily, holding her own pinwheel.

See, it's a real parade--with a fire truck and everything!

Running through the fire truck spray! Let's go!

Or not. (Wah!)

Emily, all star-spangled and squinty. Cute as usual.

I forgot to mention the pinata. It was reinforced so more kids could have a turn--it made a steel ringing sound when you hit it with the metal bat. Somebody really knew what they were doing.

A quick pool kiss.

They both fell asleep on the ride home, so we parked in our neighborhood and climbed up on the hill and watched FOUR sets of fireworks. (It's actually not as impressive as it sounds, since they were all ve-ery far away. But hey, we were excited!)