Red, White and Blue

Happy 4th of July. It's so nice to have the 4th fall on a Friday to start off a long weekend. And so far we are definitely enjoying it.

Chloe and I went with her friend Noah from down the street and his mom Amy to the Laurelhurst Kids Parade on Friday morning. Chloe and Noah decided not to march in the parade, and instead we stayed behind and played on the playground until the parade returned. Then we got to tour the firetruck and police car and get balloons. Both kids had fun. I hope to have some pictures up soon that Amy took of Chloe and Noah on the swing together.

After the parade, Chloe came home and took a record (for her) nap. After about 3.5 hours I finally opened the door to her room so that she would hopefully wake up. Meanwhile, Craig and I started getting dinner ready. We decided to try making beer can chicken on the grill. It turned out great, and we added some corn on the cob and cous cous to round it out. Chloe really liked the corn on the cob too.

Since Chloe took such a late nap, we decided we would go for a little walk after dinner to wear her out before bedtime. We were about a block from our house when a neighbor we had not met before invited us over as they were going to light some sparklers for their little boy Ryan. So we headed over there, met some new friends, and got to enjoy the sparklers as well.

Saturday morning Chloe got up at her new (usual) 5:30. . uggh. Craig went in to her room and laid on the floor and next thing I knew it was after 8:00 a.m. Yippee. A little lie in for all of us. We finally got out of the house around 10:00 and ended up walking with our friends Kama & Joe and their kids Ella & Max to the Hollywood Farmers market. Chloe must have walked at least a mile or more to and from the market. I was impressed. It didn't hurt that Chloe, Ella and Max chowed the whole time we were there. . apples, berries, Croissants, cookies, cashews and trail mix. Wow. We got home and put Chloe down for her nap around 1:00. It is after 3:00 and she is still sleeping so I'm thinking that long walk wore her out.

Here are some pictures of Chloe is her 4th of July outfit (a wonderful hand-me-down from Ella):



Tonight we are going out for dinner with Kama & Joe, Dave & Karmin and Scott and his new girlfriend to Saltys. Should be fun! Craig's 42nd is on the 8th, but we thought we'd celebrate today.. then we'll celebrate again on his real birthday with some cake and presents, and next weekend again with his mom who will be in for at least one day. Yeah!