Fourth of July parade

We started out the Fourth of July with the boys' first parade, in the Village of Manlius. We started out with forty pounds of candy, minus the few pieces we ate that morning. We ended up with four Dum-dum lollipops.

While we were waiting in the staging area we read books on a picnic table in the shade and met some of the other candidates' families. Our driver, Dana, was super-gracious and generous and the boys had a great time checking out his awesome 1969 Camaro. He also bought them waters and yo-yos that they enjoyed learning how to operate.

It was fun to see the parade from the other side of the curb this year! Reed sat out the walking part of the parade with Grandpa Greg and Grandma Kathy and he reportedly loved clapping and pointing at the people and things in the parade.

The boys' favorite part of the day was riding in the 1969 Camaro on the way back from the end of the parade route to our car.

First baseball game

Saturday we went to a Syracuse Chiefs baseball game. The boys could not have been less interested in baseball BUT the hot dogs, chicken fingers, popcorn, string cheese, lollipops, dancing mascots, and balloon creatures were fascinating! We had to wait til after 10pm but the fireworks show from the field was spectacular--and LOUD! Reed loved it as much as the big boys. He clapped and pointed throughout the show. The secret to the success of the very late night was a beautiful two hour group nap from 4-6pm, which gave us the stamina to get through the game and wait for the fireworks.

Brothers

Reed just loves being with his brothers. He likes to crawl while holding two trucks or cars in his hand, rolling them along the floor as he moves, just like his brothers, and he likes to crawl around with a capped marker (thankfully he hasn't figured out how to uncap yet) and pretend to draw on paper (and walls and floors) just like his brothers. The boys love pushing him in the swing in the front yard and chasing him around on the floor. Reed has taken a few steps here and there but nothing that could be called "walking" yet. He has learned about dessert and snacks as well as other table foods way earlier than the boys, because he sees them eating them and wants some himself. He regularly has his own bowl of ice cream after watching the boys eat theirs.

Sprinkler and hose season is here!

Beckett and his friend Kaeden last week. Beckett is telling Kaeden here that the princess storybook is NOT just for girls.

BJs trip on the Friday before July 4th weekend!

Visit with JoAnne and Alex

Tuesday we went to Lansing to visit with friends JoAnne and Alex at their home. They have an indoor endless pool that Theo and Beckett loved playing in, as well as lots of fun outdoor games.

The second swim of the day. JoAnne and Alex do not have a strict bathing suit policy at their pool.

After we got home, Reed and I headed out to get some Democratic signatures for Jeff's petition.

Last day of school!

Thursday the 23rd was the boys' last day at Roberts K-8 school. They both had celebrations in their classrooms earlier in the week, where the teachers displayed photos documenting the year and parents and caregivers honored the teachers and students for their hard work.

 Beckett with his teacher Miss Jonetta.

Running home from school on the last day of the year.

Congratulations Jon and Rachel!

In honor of Jon and Rachel's wedding today, we want to warmly welcome Aunt Rachel to the family!
Reed's obviously very excited.