Ethan:
Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
Tai Chi by the river was more-fun than
normal because we got to do that with the Carringtons today – and then we had
breakfast with them too. That was fun,
but then we all had to work to start getting ready for the Fourth of July
festivities at the park – including getting the food contributions cooked and
everything ready that we’d need at the park.
We did that until it was time to go to the parade, though we – the kids –
were sent to save spots along the parade route for everyone – and we had some
parental support for that. I’m biased,
but my favorite part of the parade was the teen praise team; since Cassie and
Michael were playing and singing with them today.
Our little parades aren’t a big deal
compared to big-city parades, but they’re special to us; and we all have fun
with our friends and neighbors – something that most spectators can’t say at
those big parades when they might not know anyone that’s in the parade. Lunch at the park was great too; and we had
fun with Mom and Dad’s ballgame too – even though they lost to Violet, Dillon,
and the Wasps. We had to move on from
that game to the one Aiden and I were playing in with our garden gnomes
team. We were up against Connor’s
Cyclops, and, possibly, with the help of our cheerleaders; we won that game
nine-to-eight – thanks to a rally in our final at-bat that salvaged our family
baseball reputation for the day!
Just kidding, Mom and Dad – Violet and
Dillon did win too!
Moving along, Aiden and I went with our
team for ice cream; we met up with Ehlana and Naomi after that and played with
our families until dinnertime; stayed together for that meal; and then moved on
to have fun at the dance and have some fun at the playground until it was time
for the fireworks. They started that
show early because it’s a weekday, but it’s been a really hot day too; so I
didn’t have a problem with that – or with sitting with Naomi and holding her
hand while we watched the amazing little light show – which really is one of
the best in our area for a small town.
Thanks to the lab, it’s even better than ever. The fireworks were over by eleven o’clock; we
packed up our gear; and headed home.
While Mom, Dad, and Cassie took care of dealing with putting everything
we brought home with us away around the house, Ehlana and I were sent off to
grab showers before bed – which I needed after the baseball and play time –
even though we’d gone swimming a couple of times too; and then we headed for
our beds. Mom and Dad went to bed then
too, but Michael came over after helping out around his house with the
post-park work; and we don’t need to add any details about what two teens might
be doing in the lounge now to wrap up their Fourth of July without kids or
parents around to get in the way of that teen-rated fun.
Suddenly, I’m feeling very sleepy! That’s all for now; and I am going to try my
very best not to get that last though stuck in my head before falling asleep!
Ethan – out!
***
Ehlana:
As Mom and Casie say every year - Happy Un-Independance Day!
Should I do this update in order; or start
with the news that Cassie and Michael are alone in the lounge right now and
probably having a Fourth of July make-out session? ;^)
Instead of teasing them about that, I ought
to be glad for all of the precedents they’ve set for Ethan and me – even if it’ll
be a few more years before I’ll appreciate them – the precedents – very much. Then again, there’s always a chance with
Cassie that she’ll just fall asleep on Michael, but I shouldn’t make fun of
that either, since Mom and Dad have both been known to do that too; so that
could be a problem for me one day too.
I didn’t have any problems today. Tai Chi and breakfast was with the
Carringtons; so that was great; I loved the parade; and our entire afternoon
and evening at the park was amazing! I
love trying a lot of the different foods; we had fun with the co-ed ball game –
even though Mom, Dad, and their team lost; and Naomi and I had fun cheering for
Ethan, Aiden, and their team as the Garden Gnomes won their game. Naomi and I also were cheerleaders for both
games; so I should also add that we helped Miranda win her cheerleading battle
with Cassie during the co-ed game when she ‘stole’ all of Cassie’s junior
cheerleaders and we helped the Witch Falls Wasps – Violet and Dillon’s team –
to win that game.
The play time after the ball games until
dinnertime included games booths, swimming, and playground fun; Naomi and Aiden
were able to stay with us for dinner because their families ‘camped’ close to
ours; and then Naomi and I had fun at the dance – and Ethan and Aiden went
along with the dancing and other entertainments because they love us. By the time dinner and the park clean-up had
been finished, there hadn’t really been all that much time for the dance
through until the fireworks; we watched that together too – and with our
families; and everyone thinks that Ethan and Naomi were adorable as they sat
and held hands while watching the aerial pyrotechnics.
We packed up and came home after that; I
hit the shower to get cleaned up; and Ethan and I did the quick round of
goodnight hugs and kisses before coming up to our beds. Mom and Dad weren’t far behind us; and I’ve
already mentioned that Michael came over after helping his parents get their
park play day gear home too; so he might end up being here for a sofa sleepover
– especially if Cassie falls asleep on him!
I’m ready to fall asleep even if they aren’t;
so that’s all I have for tonight. We’ve
had a really great Fourth of July, and while we have even more fun when our
extended family can be here too; it is nice to have a bit of extra time to
spend with our hometown family and friends too – and that isn’t always possible
when we have the full gang here. I think
that it’ll be nice to not be busy for three or four straight days too the way
we are when everyone is here for a long weekend; but I’ll let you know how that
goes for us with the next few updates.
For now, I’m out of here; and ready to head off to dreamland for the
rest of the night.
This is Ehlana Proctor; coming to you live
from what is now my past!
