Celebrating America - Small Town Style

At first, I was thinking why bother to post as nothing has really happened in a week.

We were super busy this past weekend. Friday night we went to the 'First Friday' event in Old Town Warrenton. The first Friday of every month from May through September, Old Town Warrenton keeps the shops open late, farmer's market, and activities for children. We went this past Friday and it was the Warrenton Fire Department's 85th birthday. Claire was excited to have birthday cake. It's her favorite thing in ever

The Flying Circus was there with a mini plane that children could climb in and pretend to fly. Nicholas was not too keen on that part. He kept trying to climb on the wing. Claire loved piloting the plane. Maybe she will be the pilot and N can be the wing walker. I hope not though! I always get nervous watching that part of the airshow

There was also a Bouncy House which was also a huge hit for Claire. She played in that for a long time. Nicholas enjoyed it until he got stuck at the top. The best part about Old Town being full of firefighters and junior firefighters? They were all eager to send up a rescue mission for Nicholas. Three of the junior firefighters went up after him and brought him down to safety. I was just glad that I didn't have to climb up there.

Then both Claire and Nicholas received their 'party hats' which were plastic fire hats. So I had them stand next to the fire hydrant. Nicholas wouldn't keep his hat on his head.

Evenings out like this make me happy I am raising my family in a small town.

The next day was the Fourth of July!

Up early for the parade in Old Town. It was a children and pets parade. We got there early and ended up sitting with some good friends. The parade was supposed to start at 10 am with Uncle Sam leading the children and pets down Main Street. Well, a little after 10:00 a police car crawled down Main Street with its lights flashing. A couple hundred children and pets followed. Then there was Uncle Sam running down the street. He was late and missed the beginning. The kids and pets were cute all dressed in red, white, and blue. The ones on bikes and in wagons had everything decorated. Then it was over. No fire trucks, no marching bands, nothing. As we were leaving, Claire, who is three, was very mad that she didn't get to see the parade. She just didn't get that THAT was the parade. She whined about it most of the afternoon.

That evening we headed over to our Sunday School teacher's house for a cook-out and fireworks. It was very low key and wonderful. Claire and Nicholas got to run around the huge yard playing with their friends right up until the fireworks. Not too many fireworks, but just the right amount for little ones.