Independence Day

The boys and I had quite the lively day. It began with breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts because, why not? From there, we went to see the annual and traditional Takoma Park Fourth of July parade, a typical small town parade with atypical politics. We parked at Mami's and Maurice's and walked up to see if our friends the Greenbergs were home as their house is right on this year's parade route. Sadly, they were out of town, so we commandeered their porch. Maceo and Cassius wandered between the porch and the street, watching the participants and running down to get various handouts like candy, fans, candy, bead necklaces, and candy.

Cassius refused to be in this photo, so he insisted on hiding in the back.

After I snapped this selfie, Cash insisted I delete it.

 After the parade, we went to some neighbors'/friends of Mom's to have lunch. Maceo enjoyed all sorts of different foods including deviled eggs, enchiladas, black bean and corn salad, and rugelach. Cassius enjoyed some chips. And they both liked their ice cream.

The Foodies of the family enjoy their degustation.

Luckily, there were some kids there to play with, after an initial bout of timidity.

From Takoma Park, we came home and had some quiet time before we began to prepare dinner for Grandpa and Grandma Sue and Aunt Mary. Cassius made the Raspberry Lemonade Bars, Maceo made the pulled chicken barbeque, and I made the roast corn, watermelon and blueberry salad, and the baked beans.

Carefully flattening the crust.

Pre-dinner hootenanny. Emphasis on the "hoot."

The chef explains some of the finer technical points to his recipes to Aunt Mary

Here Cassius explains to Grandpa how he earns patches with each meal he cooks.

Maceo is way into a series of books called Amulet, and he explained the story to Grandpa.

Here, Cassius refused to not be in the front. 

 After dinner, we walked them back through the light rain to the corner and said good bye.

I have no idea what Grandpa and Maceo were talking about, bit it might have been the
three deer in the field across the street.