A Red, White, and Blue 4th of July

The Blankenships enjoyed an all-American day of sunshine, BBQ, and small-town charm this beautiful Independence Day. Decked out in our finest red, white, and blue threads, we walked the few blocks into the heart of town to join some friends for the infamous Edmonds 4th of July parade!

 

With our Starbucks frappuccinos in hand (and all over Jackson's white shirt), we waved American flags and watched fire engines, antique cars, clowns, bagpipes, tuba-players, pirates, and a myriad of other mis-matched characters parade through the city streets.

 

While neither Jackson nor myself enjoyed the clowns (he actually peed his pants when a clown lunged at him), fun was had by all and free candy was thrown at us at random intervals -- enough to fill a mason jar and to help Dan satisfy his sweet tooth over the coming week.

Part 2 of our Independence Day was spent in Tacoma with Rob and Beth and friends Alex and Shenyi who invited us to share a perfect view of Mt. Rainier, the rising orange moon, and the fireworks over the Port of Tacoma from their deck.

 

 

 

Jackson enjoyed himself fully and entertained himself by taking orders (pictured below) and "cooking" invisible food for Dan and me in his "kitchen" (the space between the deck chair and the wall). I have to tell you, he makes great chicken salad, tasty meat, and a very delicious "avocado-tomato-sprout sandwich with a side of chips on a plate!"

While the clowns earlier in the day had scared Jackson quite a bit, he braved the fireworks pretty well. He threw a few "poppers" on the ground himself with enthusiasm and watched about half of the fireworks show, alternating between out on the deck with Dan and inside behind the safety of the window with me and his new friend Lily. While the fireworks held some fascination, they really couldn't compete with "Lizardo," Alex's pet lizard that eats crickets. Jackson visited Lizardo half a dozen times during the fireworks display.

 

 

 

 

It was a great (and LONG) day for The Blankenships.

 Happy birthday, America!