July 4th in DC!

To celebrate the USA's 231st birthday, we headed a block down Connecticut Avenue to Williams Lane for the local parade. They thought it was the 35th or 36th consecutive year that this event has been held in Section 5 of Chevy Chase. Kids had their US t-shirts on and bike / scooter decorated up in the red, white and blue, while we were more circumspect!

Event commenced with us all singing The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful and God Bless America. Fortunately they handed out song sheets before hand so we weren't left looking too stupid! Three trucks from the local fire station then led us down Williams Lane to Brookville Rd, into Thornapple Street and Thornapple Lane, before ending in Underwood St. Parade seems to be a loose term for 'let's all walk together and have a good time looking after our kids'.

Jumping castles, baseball throwing speed competitions, pony rides, star red, white and blue cookies, popcorn and drinks awaited us. Was a great local event, all free, and very relaxed. Lots of the local kids are around the age of ours so a good time was had by all. Got some tips from a couple of local bike riders and found one worked in the same building as me! Olivia tells me she rode Hershey, Oreo and Shorty - completing the trifecta of ponies.

Had tornado alerts (one hit DC a few years back) and severe thunderstorms warnings tonight. Reports of large hailstones around and everyone was evacuated off The Mall where they had been camped out all day for DC's fireworks show tonight. Had nothing more than a few drops of rain here though some discussions about whether the new car would fit in the garage if we cleared it out did happen.

Besides not having to brave the crowds, we have been treated to fireworks around our house the last two nights. On Monday night, Donna and I watched the Connecticut Country Club's 20 minute firework show out the deck doors from our bedroom. On Tuesday night, the four of us walked up Connecticut Avenue a couple of blocks to watch the Chevy Chase Country Club's 20 minute show. TV tonight is showing fireworks from around the country including DC and New York so we'll settle for those.

Photos from the parade are here.

Malcolm