Happy Independence Day!

Last night we went to my grandmother's assisted living home. The facility sets on top of a hill overlooking the town's fairgrounds, the perfect vantage point to watch fireworks. The home only allows friends and family of the residents to enter the property and so we have perfect parking, not to mention a great view and great company. All the elderly residents are wheeled out or come shuffling out with their walkers to sit in rocking chairs. Popsicles are served to everyone, and this year Harleigh and I talked to the social director and got the green light to do face painting. The kids loved it and even a few residents sported stars and stripes on their faces and USA "tattoos" on their arms.

This year our parade options were a little more limited than last. I would have jumped at the chance to head back to Dacula, where we saw a wonderful Memorial Day parade. But Dacula wasn't having a 4th parade so we wound up going to Marietta. It lacked a little of the small town feel that oozed out of Dacula's Memorial Day parade, but it was wonderful nonetheless, just to be celebrating our grand ol' USA, cheering and waving flags in the July sun.

Someday, if I ever do find my soulmate, he will be the man who wears a Santa hat when we're out Christmas shopping and who jumps at the chance to wear matching patriotic shirts on Independence Day!
Speaking of Santa, he came down from the North Pole just to help us celebrate!
A curbside sea of flags.
Big trucks . . .
Cloggers . . .
Handmade floats . . .
And floats that made you well-up with pride and gratitude . . .
Little pageant princesses . . .
The homeschool marching band . . .
And my favorite, these guys from a civil war re-enactment regiment. Every 50 yards or so, they'd stop and shoot blanks, the smoke billowing from their guns. It was way cool.