When I started this blog, for various reasons, I decided I wasn't going to include photos of my kids' faces. I didn't want this to be a family scrapbook. I wanted it to be about our adventures in creativity, not so much about us.
But I also wanted to commit to updating it often, so since we've been far from a sewing machine or a bottle of glue the last few days, family scrapbook is what I've got today. Plus, you never know where folks will find inspiration.
We took part in the country's longest running Fourth of July parade yesterday. 223 years total. 34 of which I've tried to be there as often as possible.
My dear Aunt Peggy was asked to march--a recognition of her service to education (she retired as principal of the high school here last year). I'm not someone who is big on pomp and circumstance--and believe me, neither is she--but it was emotional for me to march behind her and see all her former students and colleagues yelling her name and running up to her for a hug. And look at the second photo--even the unofficial parade judges gave her a 10!
This town is so patriotic it replaces its yellow center stripe down the middle of the road with a red, white and blue stripe. I took a photo of Bo on the stripe last year, and of both girls this year, and I hope to do it every year from now on (even when they're 13 and they roll their eyes at me and say, "Mother!!!").
The third photo of the Boston Red Sox float was taken because J was yelling at me--"take a picture! take a picture!" He's not particularly a big Red Sox fan or even a big baseball fan, so I figured the guy on the float was a big deal. I learned later that it was the shiny trophies in the background I was supposed to be aiming at. Something about winning the World Series a couple of times. I don't know. (Remind me to tell the story about the time my beloved professor Bob Zelnick at Boston University questioned whether women deserved the right to vote after I demonstrated my lack of baseball knowledge in class one day. It was funnier than it sounds.)
I had to take photos of the women from the parade's Korea display. Are those kimonos they're wearing? There's probably a Korea-specific word to describe them, but I thought they were gorgeous and might inspire something in the craft room down the road.
Finally, the stripe photos of the girls and a shot of Bo marching briefly with her nana. (I have some nice pictures of the cousins, too, D and B, but I didn't want to post them without your OK.) Note Bo's wardrobe change from the beginning of the parade to the end. Apparently parades are so much fun, it's easier just to go tinkle in your clothes than ask Mommy to take you to the bathroom. She learned her lesson, though. Later in the day, when she had to pee again, she just lifted her skirt and tinkled in the grass right in front of everyone. No warning. What can I say? The girl loves a parade.
It looks like so much fun! I love the story of the peepee (we did our first "public potty appearance" this past Saturday...must be something in the water, HAH!), love the photo of Nana Nancy holding Bo's hand, and love Magpie sitting on the striped line. Too cute. I met a great couple on the 4th, the woman is from Rhode Island. I said,"That's so cool! One of my good friends is in RI right now, her family is from there!" This lovely lady, Gretchen, said, "Oh really, where in Rhode Island?" to which I realized....I didn't know. Doesn't everyone in Rhode Island know everyone else?? JUST KIDDING!! I did feel like an idiot, though. : ) Miss ya, kisses, hugs, N.
p.s. I told Stacey the story about the box in which you stored your craft supply collection back in college. I'm sure you recall what you wrote in puffy paint on it, right?!
Posted by: nis | July 07, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Oh, and p.s., I later DID realize that I thought I knew (based on Magpie's name) but then it was too late. It was just way too late!
Posted by: nis | July 07, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Yep, Bristol, Rhode Island. That's where we are. I always love meeting other people who either are from here or who have discovered R.I. It's so unique and beautiful.
Yes, I remember "My Crafty Box" from college, which held my supply of rubber stamps and embroidery floss. I wrote that on there out of pure innocence, you know. All you dirty Oregonian minds corrupted me and now I can't hear the word "pickle" without giggling.
Posted by: Megan | July 07, 2008 at 08:37 PM