Grammie and Papa's 4th of July Visit

Grammie and Papa had to postpone their usual Memorial Day weekend visit, and we were lucky enough to get them for the 4th of July!  The rode the train again to us, and came in as Hurricane Arthur came up the coast.  So it was a rainy and wet start, but then amazing weather the rest of the time they were here.

The day before they arrived was the annual "Horribles" (no idea why it is called that) parade in Lynnfield.  It is the Wednesday before the 4th of July, and the kids decorate their bikes, wagons and any wheeled vehicle and parade around the Common before the Wednesday night concert.  The boys had a great time decorating their bikes and riding around with the other kids!

Red, white and blue!

Nathan racing ahead of all the kids.

Giving the Kings bowling pin a "high five" during the concert after.

 And then the kids eagerly awaited Grammie and Papa!

Alex greeting Grammie!

4th of July dawned rainy and dreary, so we mostly hung around the house and just enjoyed some quiet time with Grammie and Papa.  But eventually we emerged and tried to go bowling at Kings.  We were told it was a 2-4 hour wait for a lane!  So we moved on to plan B...

Jordan's for Liquid Fireworks!

Then dinner at Wagamama, our favorite restaurant.

Alex showing his love of "green jelly beans" (edamame).

Post dinner snug with Grammie.

Showing Grammie the awesome selection of Gelato Fiasco at Whole Foods!

The next morning was the 1st Saturday of the month which mean - Kid's Workshop at Home Depot!  This month it was the bug house, and the boys were excited to have some extra help.

Figuring out how to line up the nails...

The all important painting...

We were planning on going to the 4th of July fireworks that evening, so decided to show Grammie and Papa one of our favorite playgrounds in Newburyport, hoping the ride home would result in some naps to prepare for the late evening ahead :)

Alex having a swinging good time.

Nathan enjoying the zip line at the playground.

Climbing the big dinosaur.

 We successfully managed a nap for one child, and then cooked up a great 4th of July dinner (on the 5th of July).

Perfect evening on the patio.

 Then it was off to the fireworks!  We went to North Reading at Ipswich River Park, and it was the best evening.  Easy parking, lots of area to sit, and the fireworks were amazing!

Walking from the parking with two very excited boys.

Joking around with Grammie while we wait for dusk to fall.

Alex's turn.

Ooooo, fireworks!

Loving the view.

Nathan fell asleep mid-sentence on the way home.

The next day dawned beautiful, and we decided it was a beach day!  Off to Crane Beach we went...

Schlepping all the stuff to the beach.

The boys checking out the especially cold water.  Arthur had pushed in extra cold water for us!

Building the dam in the stream left behind by low tide.

 

Drying off with Grammie.

Alex and Daddy having fun

 

Enjoying Italian Ice at the end of the day.

We decided to stop at Farnham's in Essex so they could try the best friend clams.

Everyone very tuckered out watching Frozen.

 We didn't feel like cooking, so it was another trip to Market Street for some pizza!

Alex and Nathan showing Grammie "Swingable Goobies", the game they made up at the play area at M Street.

 

Enjoying pizza al fresco at Otto's.

Alex loved the mashed potato, scallion and bacon pizza.  Mmmm...

 Their final day we stayed super close to home.

Nathan showed Grammie and Papa the playground at his new school for kindergarten in the Fall.

Flying a kite in the field behind the school.

Playing in the backyard.

Giving snugs to Grammie and Papa before they left on the final morning.

We miss you and can't wait until October for Balloon Fiesta!