I've been debating whether or not to do a big fat recap post of our 4th of July festivities, but we'll just have to see how it goes. [ASIDE: Genoa is sitting on the naughty spot right now and since I won't come let her off when she calls out for Mommy, she's yelling, "AMANDA!" over and over again. She's been calling me by my first name constantly since our company arrived.]
On Thursday, I woke up to a giant spray of dog crap all over my rug. Harry's nerves were to blame (he was too scared to go outside before bed) and it left me with not one, but FOUR squares of FLOR carpet soaked with nastiness. And can I say for the record that FLOR rugs are worth their weight in gold? Because instead of calling an emergency carpet cleaner out to our house before all our company got here, I simply picked up the FLOR tiles, sprayed them with Method all-purpose cleaner and used the pressure nozzle on our garden hose to clean them off. I left them in the sun to dry. It was LIKE MAGIC.
Anyway, I rushed the kids off to Fred Meyer with me for some last minute shopping then our neighborhood friends came over to decorate our bikes for the parade. Then all of our company was mercifully late in getting here, so I was able to pick up Harry's doggy downers before laying down with Genoa for a half an hour, which was all I needed to recover from my few days of manic household preparation.
Then the first set of cousins got here and the kids were thrilled. I gave them a bath and then let them loose in the backyard with a big pile of legos.
Meanwhile, Genoa and her cousin Erica pushed their dog Rosie all around the house in Genoa's buggy.
Later Dave's brother arrived with the cavalry and we had a giant lasagna dinner. It was good, but I'll never make it without spicy sausage again. (No one asked for the recipe!) After dinner, we all hung out and relaxed in the backyard waiting for it to get dark.
That night, Cousin John impressed us all with his insane pyromaniac skills by setting of a bazillion fireworks in the front yard. Sadly, even before it all got started, we had a small tragedy and our second burn in as many days. John gave his six-year-old daughter the punk to hold onto while he set up the fireworks in the street. Alex and Erica were so excited that before long, I walked off the front porch to find my son screaming hysterically and running around in pain. I rushed him into the house and to see the burn and get cold water on it. His brush with the punk was totally an accident, but one that obviously could've been prevented if either Dave or I had done what we both thought was right and not let John give his daughter the burning hot poker in the first place.
Alex will be fine, but we'll be doing everything we can to prevent his face from scarring.
In any event, he recovered quickly and it made no visible dent in his overwhelming enthusiasm for the 4th of July.
The next day was the ACTUAL fourth of July and we started the day off with a bang by having a ginourmously huge breakfast. I made two casseroles, one sausage and egg and one French toast and they were both big hits. Next chance I get, I promise to share the recipes. After that I rushed around getting everyone set for the neighborhood parade that I had helped organize. 
The kids LOVED it and I was doubly happy to live in such a family-friendly place. (Click the photo above to see the full set of neighborhood parade and BBQ pictures).
More coming soon! I have to go feed my family. AGAIN.
I just love the picture of the girls with the dog in the stroller. Adorable!
Posted by: Rachael | July 06, 2008 at 10:38 PM
such a beautiful family, hope his "boo-boo" feels better soon. my hubby would love a frech toast casserole!!cant wait for the recipe!!!
Posted by: laura | July 07, 2008 at 03:32 AM
Looks like a fun 4th. Sorry to hear about Alex's burn. I highly recommend the scar reducing cream Mederma. I have used it many times and it really does work. Plus, it has SPF and it is so important to keep the area from getting sun while it is still healing. Take care.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 07, 2008 at 08:55 AM
A doctor can also give you Silvadene. It heals burns quickly. I also second Mederma.
Posted by: Nicole | July 07, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Silvadene rocks my world for pain relief from a burn. We have a jar from when my now 17 year old son was three...we still use it...and it still works!
I must third the Mederma for scarring...it's like magic!
I also loved the pic of the poochie...she doesn't look thrilled but OMG how cute!
Posted by: Abby | July 07, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Ive just stumbled across your blog and I LOVE IT!
Will definately be back to read more soon!
Posted by: Karrine | July 07, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Hilarious about Genoa yelling for "Amanda". My two year old little niece has started this, too - calling her mom by her first name. Especially after she's been with her little cousins and hears them calling her "Aunt Charlotte". Too funny. You're superwoman in my book. Don't know how you accomplish all you do. Love your hair. You're just gorgeous.
Posted by: Kathy C. | July 08, 2008 at 09:38 AM