The Fourth of July is always a fun family day for us. Living in Arlington helps. The twenty-somethings in Arlington camp out all day to secure a great viewing place for the D.C. fireworks. We don't do that. Actually, we didn't do that before having kids. There was a time we could open our living room blinds and see the fireworks lighting up the Washington Monument. But that was two condos ago and before we had children. Since the kids arrived, our Fourth of July has been less about fireworks and more about community parades.
Arlington is made up of numerous communities and there is great community pride amongst those who live in each community. On the Fourth, that pride comes to life as families dress up in red, white and blue and march in mini-parades through their particular community.
When Meg and Clare were very little, we watched the North Highland parade from the sidewalk. But now that they are older, we are part of the parade in our new community. Last year Meg and Clare dressed in their fairy wings and marched in the parade with a drum and horn. This year we took a more traditional approached and decorated our wagon and ourselves in all things red, white and blue.
The girls did watch the fireworks that night. I remained home with Baby Anne, but Meg and Clare walked with their dad to a nearby hill where one can sort of see the fireworks. They ran into friends while they were there and both families decided the trees by the hill were getting too tall and blocking the view. Next year we will likely need to find a new place for fireworks watching. And I fear that by next year the magic of our little community parade may have worn off for Meg and Clare. But I am sure we will fine something to make the day special for us. We always do.
Arlington is made up of numerous communities and there is great community pride amongst those who live in each community. On the Fourth, that pride comes to life as families dress up in red, white and blue and march in mini-parades through their particular community.
When Meg and Clare were very little, we watched the North Highland parade from the sidewalk. But now that they are older, we are part of the parade in our new community. Last year Meg and Clare dressed in their fairy wings and marched in the parade with a drum and horn. This year we took a more traditional approached and decorated our wagon and ourselves in all things red, white and blue.
The girls did watch the fireworks that night. I remained home with Baby Anne, but Meg and Clare walked with their dad to a nearby hill where one can sort of see the fireworks. They ran into friends while they were there and both families decided the trees by the hill were getting too tall and blocking the view. Next year we will likely need to find a new place for fireworks watching. And I fear that by next year the magic of our little community parade may have worn off for Meg and Clare. But I am sure we will fine something to make the day special for us. We always do.
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