Yankee Doodle Sweethearts: 4th of July 2018

Even though we aren’t allowed to do fireworks here (even the little street spinner kind), the 4th here is always fun in its own right and packed with kid activities.

Our Yankee Doodle Sweethearts all ready to go to the parade and pancake breakfast:

July 4, 2013:

2014:

2015:

2016:

2017:

2018:

American baby.

Tummies full of pancakes and off to the parade.

The town parade is teeny tiny, but with people throwing candy and a firetruck at the end, it’s pretty exciting for the girls!

The twins refused to participate in the kids fun run, but Meredith was ready to go.

Tears on the playground.

After the parade, everyone headed back for our annual neighborhood block party. The girls went up and down the waterslide for hours on end, while Eleanor and I walked across the street for a short visit. All the ladies fought over who got to hold her next!

I felt bad for all those boys waiting behind Meredith!

After the block party, it was off to play carnival games, get airbrush tattoos and chow down on hot dogs at our town’s 4th of July celebration.

My worst nightmare… junky inflatable carnival prizes!

The girls were so excited to meet a real live policewoman.

Eleanor and I stopped by for a little bit before walking back home to go to bed before the fireworks.

People in our town get up at 6 a.m. to run down to the park and reserve their spots with blankets for the fireworks show and concert, but we didn’t have to do that since Jake is on the Board of Directors. We got valet parking and reserved seating in a little section gated off for us and some of the city volunteers. It even came with free food! Those kind of perks almost make up for all those meetings…