I don't know why, but the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. I am not sure if it is the time spent with families and friends eating some of my favorite foods or the overwhelming sense of pride you feel when you see a row of American Flags flying high on your neighbors' houses. July 4th brings back so many wonderful childhood memories at the Corsicana Country Club. My papaw almost always grilled out on the 4th and we all dressed in our best red, white and blue. We would load up and go down to the pond to enjoy the firework display with all of our closest friends. Blankets and blankets of families, staying up past their bedtime!. My mom would allow sparklers and the occasional Roman candle which was the very best part of the night, of course. There is nothing quite like celebrating the Fourth in a small town.
Houston is anything but a small town, but we have started some of our own city traditions and created equally wonderful memories! This year we participated in the neighborhood parade. Claire and I met over at Marianne's house to decorate our strollers and sip a few mimosas.
We loaded up the kids and headed out to the meeting point, but not before Marianne snapped a few patriotic photos of course. She is such a talented photographer!
As we approached the sea of decorated bicycles and beads of sweat started to form on our foreheads we started to question our idea of strolling in the parade. Or maybe it was that mimosa we were regretting!
It was the perfect start to our 4th of July, 2011 celebration.
After a nap, Bill and I started to prepare the house for an evening with friends and family. I am pretty sure that BBQ brisket sandwiches, loaded bacon potato salad, baked beans and watermelon make the top 10 list of American dishes.
And there was no way I was missing an opportunity to eat cotton candy!
Trip, Lainey, Liam, and Brooks should have been on the cover of All American Baby!
The backyard was filled with good conversation and plenty of laughter!
We celebrated with old friends... (we brought a little CCC to Houston, wink)
With family...
And with friends we love and adore!
As the sun began to fade, it was almost time for fireworks. Since we were in a drought, there were no sparklers or Roman candles, but we did not let that stop us! We had an array of "toddler appropriate" glow sticks, bracelets, necklaces, glasses and even a flag!
Most little ones were being taken home to tuck in tight for the night, but being the great parents we are, we decided to take our 17 month old with us to view the firework display at City Center from the roof of my co-worker's apartment. The truth is, we gave Liam an extra late afternoon nap and believe me, if he had shown the slightest hint of eye rubbing or yawning we would not have taken him with us.
When the fireworks began, I could see the excitement in Liam's eyes as he pointed to each formation saying "rah-wah" which means flower. You are never too old for fireworks. It's like this explosion of happiness physically and emotionally watching them as they light up the sky. The firework display summed up the entire day for the Robinson family and we cannot wait to do it all again next year!
Happy 4th to our small town in our big city!
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