Actually I need to back up to the 3rd of July. A local high school does a neat fireworks show every year on the 3rd of July. Sure, there's great seating inside the stadium if you pay the very reasonable fee... but we don't do that. We much prefer the adventure of camping out for hours across the street and hoping that at the end of it all we haven't been crowded out of our space and we can still see everything over the heads of our new found "friends". Other traditions on the 3rd of July include forgetting how cold it gets once the sun goes down despite the fact that it was 10,000 degrees mere hours earlier, always saying next year we'll bring chairs, and meeting up with friends at the Starbucks that was nice enough to position itself right next to where we waste away the hours after the show is over. This year was particularly uncomfortable and we've decided to spring for the $5 per person next year to get a spot inside the stadium so we can enjoy the show in comfort.
Now, on to the 4th... First we were in the Association's parade with Angel's Cub Scout Pack. We've been in this Association for four years and have never attended or been involved with any of the holiday celebrations until this past weekend. The parade was slow to start but once we got going, the lap around the block wasn't too bad. I'm still not comfortable in my Cub Scout Leader uniform, could be something to do with the neckerchief feeling like a noose. Or having to wear real shoes. Or how unflattering the bagginess of the shirt is since I had to find one that fit my bust and not the rest of my torso. But I digress... back to the parade.
(Yeah, we're going to have to work on my photography skills some more this summer...)
A few key points were overlooked by the current leadership. One, the kids watching the parade were expecting some kind of treat to be dispersed by the parade participants. When we passed by without flinging candy in their direction, it was not a good sight. Two, "those who wish can bring their bikes or scooters" is not adequate language for "every year every boy rides his bike or scooter and if you don't want your kid to feel left out and dissolve into a puddle of 'it's not fair', bring the darn thing". Angel was not happy, but thanks to a quick thinking Cubmaster, he became a banner holder and all was right with the world. Three, it get hot fast when you're standing around doing nothing, I would have brought water if I had had as much experience with this as some of the other members of the leadership. Ah well, there's always next year.
After the parade was over, we took The Bambinos home for lunch and a bit of a rest. Then we began our big covert op in surprising Nana for her birthday! Nana had to work for a few hours and while she was at work, Daddy Bear went and took her car without her prior knowledge to get it washed. Then the lines of communication broke down because Daddy Bear left his phone at home. I got to the designated meet-up place a few minutes early and ended up waiting over half an hour for Daddy Bear to get back. He didn't see me waiting there and took off to get back home to pick up his phone. The number one problem with this was that he had the rest of the tools for the plan in his truck. So I headed home to chase him down, got there as he's leaving, and we raced back to Nana's place of employment to finish the work we began. I grabed the window chalk from the truck, Daddy Bear got the older three in the back of Nana's SUV with the balloons while I decorated and then got Baby ready for me to go into Nana's work to execute the plan.
I took one red balloon and Baby into Nana's work saying that I came to pick up the stroller that had been left in her car. We were almost at her car when she saw the decorations, then she opened the back to "help me with the stroller". The kids were perfect in executing the "Happy Birthday Nana" when she opened the door! I loved it!
We had a bit of a down time before dinner with friends. Nana wanted steak and potatoes so we headed to
Lone Star Steakhouse. It's a new favorite... they had Nana dance with the waitstaff!
And Pinky loved Nana's dessert!
Nana, Angel, and Pinky were feeling a bit under the weather so Nana suggested we go home and catch some pyrotechnics on TV. An hour or so passed and we decided to go to the park and see if we could see the Association fireworks from a distance. They were nice. It was odd not hearing the music, but it was a good length show and we ended the nice day with a round of "Happy Birthday" to Nana.
Next year Nana turns 50! I better start planning now!
