Oh, What A Night!

We started our birthday party for America with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, featuring Thomas Jefferson's fifth great-grandson. It was cool to hear the words amidst all the current changes, and having them read by a direct descendent was a real treat!

There was pledging

There were lovies

and there was silliness

Then we headed over to the G's house for some fun in their new pool - it was a blast!
Carter, Harry, Jack and Zach

a parade of pool toys

Zach's great smile

Harry and Mr. Ed primed their guns for a water fight - something doesn't seem quite right here....

Ms. Christina bringing out the birthday cupcakes.

After all the good eats and splashing, it was time for the light show

Jack is so excited for the fireworks this year, and he was not disappointed!

Neighbor friend, Zach, Harry, Carter and Jack had prime seats

Mr. Ed and his neighbors did a great job this year - I think their show was better than the county one we skipped, and no cops this year....great all the way around!

Happy Birthday, America!

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons' December 1963

Photographs and Memories - Spin Cycle

Jen's weekly Spin was about "Memories" a few weeks ago, and I've been Reminiscing, taking pix and humming tunes ever since. I had almost given up hope of running across another bicentennial quarter, especially with the minting of the state quarters in the last decade, but I lucked into one the other day and got all mushy inside. My beloved Gramma and I loved to collect these quarters and wheat pennies - it's been so long since I've found either, but it's always a gift I cherish when I find one and am overcome by a rush of Precious Memories.

I have so many wonderful childhood memories - from singing Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head atop Jimmy's shoulders sometime around the age of 4, to falling for the Doobie Brothers after hearing Black Water - I was 6 and at my first sleep away camp, and it was an anthem of sorts...we had no idea what it meant. Jim Croce's You Don't Mess Around With Jim was popular when I was in 1st grade, and I can still remember us all hanging out by the front door singing it while we waited for our parents to pick us up. I saw the Doobies, Aerosmith, Bob Seger, Jimmy Buffett and all sorts of cool 70's acts. There are all sorts of awful 80's songs that bring back a rush of teen power and angst, and great dance tunes that remind me of the wild days of college...it seems like just about every song I hear evokes some sort of memory, and I usually toss out the bad as soon as they rear their ugly heads.

What brings back memories for you? Do you tend to remember the good times or the bad?

And seeing as I need some kid photos, how about this flashback and last weekend's updated versions?

This is Harry's foot during the first days, circa March 2004...
and last weekend - gulp!

When I realized how much his foot had grown, I decided to get a hand shot...

and ones of Jack, so he's not 'jealous for another day' ;-)

And in case you're wondering, songs that bring back baby love the most so far: Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World, Bob Marley's Get Up Stand Up (I saw today that there's a new kids' cd BisforBob), Rolling Stones' You Can't Always Get What You Want, Rascal Flatts' (yuck) Highway for Jack and Everyday for Harry. The boys love music and playing 'name that tune' and naming the artist - it's been fun, so far!

Happy Reminiscing - check out Sprite's Keeper for this and other great spins - give it a whirl yourself!

Jim Croce

I love to be an icon...

What is it about certain summer pix? Which is the most iconic picture, do you think?

We went to our local farmer's market this morning, and it was gorgeous. Jack was sweet enough to buy (read=ask Daddy to buy) this orchid for me - notice that it has two stems :wub: Their former library story-teller made those sweet little wooden pinwheels.

He's a Yankee Doodle Dandy!

Corey Hart's Icon

Oh and I do declare

Jack's July 4, 2009 Declarations:

* I'm gonna be jealous for one more day!
* LaLaLa, I'm not hearing you Harry!
* I know what this is for!
* I LOVE Santa!
* Our house is beautiful! Our plants are beautiful!

Harry's July 4, 2009 Declarations:
* I'm itchy!
* That's too gushin'!
* In the morning, I'm going to sleep!
* It's a beautiful day to play!
* It's America's birthday!

Happy Birthday, America!

Hope your 4th is filled with all sorts of blessings!

Aretha Franklin's Baby I Love You

SOnshine, on my shoulder looks so lovely

The boys had this year's first t-ball practice last nite, and it seems like they are going to have a lot of fun...they know most of the team, and the new friends seem just as nice. Several kids are actually talented, which always helps ;-)

Sonshine on his shoulder

Grayson and Harry took a break under the flag after practice

It was supposed to be a pretty slow week since we didn't have much planned...um, not! Monday was fun with Aunt Jackie and visiting old friends. Tuesday we went to see Igor (awful, we're scrubbing it from our brains!) and had lunch with friends Grayson, Joey and Spencer and their sweet moms,

then went to a friend's Pampered Chef party which was all Patriotic, hence this yummy pie

Wednesday we chilled out before the big birthday bash for Nicole, Thursday we went to see Bee Movie with friends Grayson, Cody and Gavin and had a fun lunch before naps and tball practice. Today, I'm trying to recover and catch up with all the pix and blogs I've missed this week. We're looking forward to a lot of Yankee Doodle Dandying in the next days, and hope you're celebrating all the great things about being free!

John Denver

Happy Birthday, Dear Ms. Nicole!

Wednesday was the birthday of our friend Ms. Nicole (Grayson's mom), and the boys made her some sweet cards....

Jack's was all heart and smiles, and Harry gave her a map so she wouldn't get lost!

Jack took this picture of Harry concentrating (poser!)

They sacked out in our room to prep for the big nite - Grayson was coming over to play with the boys while Nicole and I went on our very own Birthday Playdate!

They were almost as excited to give her their cards and get hugs...

...as they were about a sleepover adventure.

Nicole and I had a great time at a fancy restaurant and a chickflick...we timed it poorly and got home in time to disrupt the bed-prep and hosed the all-nite sleepover plan, but we're ready for the next one...camping??

Happy Birthday, our friend!