The Fourth of July

With the 4th fall mid-week, we didn't have much for plans. We started by visiting our new friend Hathaway (Hattie) at the hospital.  Ruby has been obsessed with babies ever since!

All summer it has been crazy hot, but this time we decided to brave it.  Our friend Shad joined us at the parade.  Ruby was amazed.  She quietly sat in my lap and watched every pick-up, golf cart, and fire truck roll by.  We got loaded up with candy, as she was one of the only kids on the whole block.  Right at the beginning some man handed her a flag, and she sat there sweetly waving the flag throughout the whole thing.

My favorite story from the parade was that she stared and watched as all the pick-ups full of Republican canidates rolled by.  Equally amused with all of them.  Then following the Republicans, Leonard Boswell's truck rolled by.  Rep. Boswell waved at Ruby, and for the first time the whole parade, she waved back! :)  I always knew she was a Democrat. ;)

That night we went to the fireworks.  Windsor Heights (a suburb near by) put on a good display at a park with live music.  Ruby loved the music, the park, and being able to run free, but by the time the fireworks started she was exhausted.  She watched the first few, but then looked at me and signed "nigh nigh".  I tried to keep her going, but she laid on the blanket next to me and tried to get comfortable and then finally got in her stroller and started waving "bye bye" to each firework.  Take the hint Mom and Dad!