Bike Parade

I LOVE the fact that each 4th of July we can walk across the street and be a part of the Community Bike Parade. This year who was at the front of the line? Fletcher, Griffin and neighbors Nathan and Hayden. Bikes decked out with streamers and stars, this is the 4th of July at is purest!

Piper also loved petting the mini horses and playing games in the park.

During a brief rain storm we watched The Princess Pride, one of my favorite movies that I had been waiting to share with the kids. After spinklers and little fireworks, we headed to a neighbors for homemade ice cream and BIG fireworks. That is where things got a little interesting.

A neighbor, whom I will call Firework Guy, always buys a TON of BIG fireworks. It is so much fun to sit around and cheer him on as the fireworks light up the sky. Since they are technically illegal in Colorado, the mischevious spirit just adds to the fun.

In the middle of delighting us with a great light show, the police show up. They roll down the window and ask for all adults living on this street to approach the car. Well, it felt like a high school party bust - everyone just looked at each other and no one moved. Finally, several adults went over and were told to make sure fireworks are only on the ground. Then the police left.

Everyone began packing up. Then out of no where the two BIGGEST fireworks came out. These cost over $100 a piece and were for the grand finale. Many people (myself included) began to chant the name of firework guy. Then he lit them. Fireworks lit up the sky in one last hurrah. Everyone clapped and left.

As we were getting in the car, Fletch - who is not a rule follower at heart - looked at me and asked, "Mom, why did all the adults cheer that guy on when the police told us not light the fireworks."

Hmmm, how do you answer that question? Talk about peer pressure or that sometimes in a group people will do something they know is wrong just because it is fun. Say that sometimes, if no one is hurt, it is OK to disobey the police. Ignore the question and act like I didn't hear it.

There are no good answers. I was wrong. We broke the rules. This is not how I have raised my kids. Bad example.

What a reminder that little eyes, or in this case big brown eyes, are always watching.