the 4th in photos - Rage Against The Minivan

Our Fourth of July started the way it starts every year: waking the kids up early from their nap so they can participate in the neighborhood parade. Last year:

And now this year:

“Mommy spent an hour decorating these bikes and even put a patriotic bow in your hair. Now rub that sleep out of your eyes, get on that bike, and show me how much you love America. NOW!”

After some ~~threats~~ encouragement, the kids starting displaying the American values that have been passed on from my mom, and grandmother before me. Namely, that holidays are 87% about dressing up your kids in matching clothes and capturing photo ops.

After sending the children around the block for the traditional parade-without-an-audience, the fire trucks stopped for a visit. Their visit might have been more effective after dark, once several dads had ingested a few drinks and started handing out sparklers a mere two feet from a large pile of fireworks. But who am I to judge?

Mark hosted the water-balloon toss. See that balloon Karis is holding? Yes, that ended up exploding all over my dress, giving the impression that I peed myself for about an hour afterwards.

This baby (who will remain nameless) enjoys kitschy 80’s fashion and moscow mules.

After the balloon toss, the kids did a talent show. Jafta showed his basketball skills. India put on her Tiana nightgown and performed some sort of awkward split pose while her friends were hula-hooping. Then she spent the rest of the song pulling her dress up. Hoepfully none of this is indicative of things to come. Karis, meanwhile, wandered off and took a fall while trying to climb on another child’s bike, thereby illustrating both her independence and the fact that child #4 is always starved for attention. It’s okay, though. Another person heard her screaming and picked her up.

I’m really not sure what to say about these pictures:

The day was ended with our own special homemade fireworks show, with the recently-legal-but-probably-shouldn’t-be sparklers. It was Kembe’s first 4th of July, and I think he had a blast.