Fourth of July with Friends

This year was my second 4th of July as an American, for better or for worse. The 'better' part of having become an American is that it no longer feels awkward to be putting on a Fourth-of-July Party for our friends. I no longer feel like an impostor....I've earned my stars and stripes! I'm not sure I would call myself patriotic yet, but I do enjoy how the people in our community go beserk with 4th of July fireworks. That's in fact why we've had a party here over the last few years. Our house happens to sit right smack in the middle of this 'Ring of Fire', with huge (may I add, illegal) fireworks being let off at every point of the compass rose.

This year, we had an eclectic group of friends join us for a night of...

 swimming

feasting

 

on homemade ice cream

(a new 4th of July tradition was started -
 homemade chocolate, vanilla, and banana ice cream- YUM!)

parading
(We made sure to keep a tradition that was started by our core group of friends a few years back, which is to decorate the kids' scooters/bikes or kids themselves with American banners and flags before they go off on a little parade around the park.)

 

and letting off fireworks

 

 

It was a fun celebration, though we did miss the old crew ('cept for Benintendis, who did make it)!