Since I forgot to bring my camera around all day, I took these on my phone, and several already showed up on Instagram, but here is photographic evidence of what Elizabeth said was one of the best days ever!
Morning: Reagan Library, of course! The Fishers came along!
Sixth year in a row!
They swapped out the windsock craft for a popsicle stick flag. First craft change in six years!
The little girls took FOREVER gluing on sequins and buttons.
It’s not Independence Day without a picture of the kiddos with Simi Valley in the background!
Waiting in line for Bingo is more fun with friends.
This is serious business, you guys. The patriotic bunny is NOT the same as the patriotic scrabbit, and you won’t get a bingo if you don’t pay attention!
Janie won for the first time! She was so proud of her Reagan Library jelly bellies prize.
No pictures of Betsy Ross this year, because she looks the same. We watched her make some five pointed stars and chatted about flag history and moved on. But the facepaint is different every year.
So much face paint.
Afternoon: We grilled out at Baxter Park. Derek and I loved the paella, and the kids were so-so. I also probably ruined our cheapo big pot boiling corn on the cob on the grill. But it was worth it.
Not a bad view for a picnic dinner.
Evening: Once it got dusky, all the neighbors who hadn’t grilled at the park appeared and set up chairs for the Malibu fireworks show. The Fishers had brought glow lights, and we realized that we met them exactly five years ago to the day, when they were s-pad residents and we were guests coming to experience on-campus life. AND it’s hard to believe that we just met our sweet babysitter Jennifer at the 4th of July picnic LAST year, considering how much fun the kids have had with her since then!
The weather was perfect and all the grouchy neighbors stayed away. Pretty much a blissful Independence Day!