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| July 4th bike parade |
It is almost the end of July and what a busy summer month it has been. In between lots of swimming, Anna was able to enjoy other fun events and visitors.
The month kicked off with the 4th of July of course. This is always a big event in the neighborhood, beginning with the July 3 block party (that includes a band....although Anna informed her parents it only played music that parents would like). July 4 was the annual Fairfax parade, which lasted almost 2 hours and included numerous bands, politicians, floats, fire trucks, and librarians (complete with their book cart drill routine). After that, it was back to the neighborhood festivities with a bike parade and pool games. Anna is right on the line of participating in the events and being too cool to join. This year she opted to join in the bike parade, but was too cool for the pool games. The day ended with neighborhood fireworks (as in one of the neighbors bought a bunch of fireworks for the kids). It was a fun weekend!
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| Uncle Tim, Anna, Theresa & Uncle Rod at Manassas Battlefield |
Anna was able to enjoy some other fun activities during the month, including a week long pottery-making class (Aunt Lucy will be proud). The only downside to this one was probably the most challenging girl from her grade at school was also in the class, which took a bit of the fun out of it for Anna. The next week was better with sewing camp (one of her friends was in that class). She designed and made her own skirt and blouse. Very fun! In between she enjoyed a weekend with Aunt Gayle (Mom and Dad got to go to New York for a family dinner) and Uncle Rod and Uncle Tim stopped by for a night following a car show.
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| Riding Theresa's old bike |
The grand finale of the month was a trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house. This year Anna flew by herself for the first time. She was very nervous, and the fact that there were thunderstorms the afternoon of her departure was not helpful. Her flight was delayed two hours, and when it was finally time to go another storm rolled in (a gate-worker informed Theresa that the planes are made to withstand lightening strikes - a comment meant to be comforting but not so much). Fortunately another girl, who was younger than Anna, was also flying alone. They sat together and the girl shared her Cheetos with Anna. She finally made it to Ohio at 11 PM at night.
Grandma and Grandpa, who truly get an award for this one, took Anna and her cousin Aidyn to the Kings Island Water Park the next day (also raining). Anna enjoyed the rest of the week at her grandparents, where she learned to drive the riding lawnmower by herself and was riding Theresa's old bike (she didn't like the "funny handlebars). She enjoyed shopping with Grandma, learning to cut peaches, helping Grandpa in the yard and garden, and eating lots of things Mom normally would not let her had (not to mention a lot of television as well). In another award winning performance, Grandma flew back with Anna and brought Aidyn along. This was his first flight. Grandma is VERY brave. They made it just in time for a record summer rainstorm. Hopefully it stops before they leave......
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| Driving lessons with Grandpa |
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