It is summer

and I appear to have lost all sense of time.

Which is why I'm about to do a 4th of July post, on the 7th of July.
(Note, when I first wrote that sentence I wrote the "14th of July" because that is what I thought was today's date. I momentarily panicked at the fact that I forgot my brother's bday and then realized I'm a week off. Seriously.)
Because I'm all slow like that these days.
And because I'm currently on the OBX.
(Which really means nothing except that I felt the need to put out there that I am, indeed, again away at the beach. But, I will make you feel less envious by telling you my husband is on the other side of the country in San Diego enjoying the gorgeous, sunny left coast and a few days celebrating a wedding with old friends and NO children. I'm not ENTIRELY jealous, but I am a bit pouty.)

Back to topic.
We had a fantastic 4th of July this year.

We missed most of our regular family, but did get to spend the day with the local cousins and some good friends. Josh was in boy-Heaven because he got to have Aiden AND Jack over on the same day. I was in Heaven because the grilled burgers turned out phenomenal and I had a new gazebo to sit under.

I should start at the beginning.
The annual Firecracker 5K that is a K family tradition.

Except this year I blasted my personal best record AND placed third in my age group. Which, I sadly didn't know until I got home, which means I missed out on my fancy bronze medal. I did get the honor of gloating over those in the family that I beat, who shall remain nameless. Oh, I'm still slow, just not as slow as I used to be.

171/360 (my place/total runners)
24:52 (my time) 
7:58 (my pace) 
3/12 (place in age group)  
31/116 (place in women's bracket)

Then the parade, which I find increasingly disturbing as a parent. I've decided the day is basically about teaching your child a very bizarre message: "IF YOU RUN INTO THE STREET STRANGERS WILL THROW CANDY TO YOU ". I'm not sure how to reconcile that with "DON'T GO INTO THE STREET" and "DON'T ACCEPT CANDY FROM STRANGERS". Nonetheless, Josh and Leah both LOVED the morning and the candy, which Josh doesn't eat and Leah eats with wrappers on when no one is looking.

Well, there was universal parade love, for the most part.

Jessie & our friend, Hannah, loving the parade

A 4th of July Miracle:
A family pic with EVERYONE smiling AND looking at the camera!
Take THAT Picture People.
We love the parade.



However, while I LOVE a good ol' Civil War Reanactment in the middle of the street every 4th of July...

ALL the kids, NOT SO MUCH loving this part of the parade!

Next, bbq. I already mentioned the phenomenal burgers that I created and Al grilled to perfection. (We're not generally a "good bbqing family" by reputation.) ;) There was also delicious steak, chicken and other yummy dishes. The kids decorated their own cupcakes and the old people ate water ice and ice cream. Good food. Good company. Good day. Bring on 4th Of July 2010!!

Hannah's Masterpiece