Memorial Day

Our ward put together a cool Memorial Day activity.  Our boundaries consist of just two blocks, so a couple of streets were blocked off and the kids had a little bike parade.  At the end of the parade route, there was a big breakfast set up, plus bounce houses and face painting.  There was a GREAT turn out, with many people getting decked out in red, white, and blue.  It was fun to see all of the streamers and other decorations on kids' bikes and scooters, and several middle aged Memorial Day enthusiasts who took the phrase "bike parade" to mean something very different - the noise of the motorcycles was significant.  :-)

We lived right in the middle of the parade route, so we had to walk to the beginning.  We were trying to be sure to arrive on time or early, so we wouldn't let Eliza ride her bike to the start point.  Ben carried her, and she was so mad about it that she wouldn't let go of the tricycle.

Jack had been a little sick the day before the parade, but was acting fine that morning and was excited about riding his scooter.  Unfortunately, he decided he didn't feel up to participating shortly before the parade started, so Ben took him home.  Ben left Jack's scooter with me (still not sure why...?) and he and Jack watched the parade from the house.  He kept waiting to see me ride the scooter, and was surprised when I didn't have it when I walked by.  Of course I had asked a friend if I could leave it in her yard and get it later that afternoon.

All lined up and ready to go! 

Cat and her buddies were the very first kids in line.

Let's get this started!

Eliza started out with the rest of the kids, but her pace was of course much slower than everybody else.  I was kicking myself that I didn't decorate the stroller for her to ride in, but oh well.  Once the motorcycles did a few circles behind us, I decided that I needed to move her to the sidewalk so that they could pass.  So, we ended up with the honor of bringing up the rear of the parade. 

Do you see the determination on her face?
"I WILL ride the entire route!"
Kind of reminds me of that movie Run, Fat Boy, Run... haha

At the very end!

Ben and Jack met us at the end of the parade route for breakfast.  You can tell Jack was still a little under the weather.

Cat with her two good friends in the ward.

Eliza must have felt like such a big kid after participating in the parade!

Jumping, jumping.

A Patriotic butterfly

Pull, Cat!

That afternoon, Cat invited her friends to come play in the sprinkler in the back yard.  It was a little too cold for me to be outside in a bathing suit, but the girls didn't seem to mind.  The mud they were playing in might have helped to insulate them, though.