Alex and Rory: Happy Fourth of July!!

Fourth of July on the Cape (Angela's first time!). We started the morning at the Kiwanis Pancake festival. This was a never to be repeated event- there was a long line and Alex enjoyed a pancake or two but the adults were not too excited by the sugar-free, sodium-free syrup substitute (aspartame containing) stuff they served after standing in line for more than half an hour! Regardless, we enjoyed ourselves and plenty of bacon was eaten. Afterwards we played in the playground then went to watch the parade. The theme was 200 years of the chatham lighthouse- needless to say lots of lighthouse floats (to Alex's great delight). We saw a fife and drum band, Alex was VERY excited by the cannon and muskets and watching the bands go by. There was a group of old cars that went by. One of the old cars broke down right in front of us and held up the parade! The owner tried to fix the car, parade spectators (kids included) got out to help push the car when the owner asked that nobody touch the car with their bare hands and pulled out rags... Alex was also really really intrigued by the bagpipers!

After the parade we went to the Gelsey-Ryan house and were invited to bbq at the Knight's next door. Lots of delicious food, fun party then nap. Post nap more fun and hi-jinx at the Gelsey-Ryan house. Alex had a GREAT time playing with the Alexander cousins (Ted, Val, Eddie and Jeff). Eddie and Jeff played "fish pier" with Alex for awhile on the porch. After dark we watched distant town firework displays over the Mill Pond. Alex enjoyed seeing the bursts of color but became frightened by the loud booms from the fireworks. He showed cousin Ted the fireworks and booms which "frightened" Ted to everyone's great amusement... 8)

Watching the parade