Birthday Parade and other fun

The Girl actually missed her birthday parade this year--she was at a friend's house for a sleepover.  IM decided to sleep in, but The Boy and I were lucky that my friend, T and her two boys wanted to come with us.  Her boys don't remember ever going to a parade, so The Boy had a good time teaching them proper (and not so proper) parade behavior (bring your own  bag for candy, look cute so the adults will let you go up front, jump up and down when people throw beach balls....)

 The very nice lady in the white shirt assured the boys that as long as she could take pictures of her daughter, the cheerleader, they could dash in front of her to collect candy and other treasures.

Here are some of the highlights of the about 1.5 hour parade....(not pictured, T and I giggling and our commentary on many things relevant and not relevant)

Our county has a tank/assault vehicle. Every year when it drives by I can't decide if I'm reassured that we have it or concerned about why on earth we feel it is necessary...

 Ummmm...boys?  You might want to duck....those lights are kind of low

 Whew...they all ducked....

I guess I didn't take many pictures this year, those might be all the good shots!

After the parade, we retrieved The Girl from her friends house and headed home so she could open presents from Grandma Lemire, The Boy, and us.

I think this picture is funny...she acts like he is going to steal her new ear rings...he, he.

 In honor of turning 13, The Girl decided to dress up, complete with heels.  Not to be outdone, The Boy found a step stool.  I think she is still taller, though!

 Dinner was at the local hybachi place (where else?)

 This time, The Girl was the guest chef...no, she is not standing on a stool, that is how tall the heels were.

 After dinner we headed home for some "Aunt A cake".  Aunt A's birthday is also in the summer and when she was a kid, Grandma didn't like to turn on the oven to bake a cake.  This cake is a nice compromise and actually turns out yummy most times!  The recipe is very simple, too, the trick is to make it the night before.

There you go--one more birthday on the books-and now we have a teenager in the house...eeek!