My birthday week vacation 2013-part 3

My friend had told me that July 4th parades were GREAT in New England.  She was right!  We went to one in nearby Columbia.

Loved the Colonial clothing...

And the bagpipes...

The Shriners' little cars were great.  Titus especially loved them...

Apparently last year Becky and family watched the parade next to the same family we were by this year.  They came armed with MAJOR water guns and huge coolers of ammunition.  Some of the firetrucks spray water on the crowd, so this particular family sprays back.  It was hot and Bethany really wanted to get sprayed, so she asked the girl to spray her.

Titus quickly figured out that these vehicles were throwing candy.  He was running out with the big kids to get it by the fistful!  The boy is serious about his food! :)

After the parade, we headed to a great Mom & Pop pizza place and then home for some down time.  After rest time and dinner, we went over to a church member's house to go swimming.  We put the watermelon in the pool to keep it cool.  I had never seen this done before but apparently this is something Becky grew up doing.  The kids thought it was funny because it floated, of course.

It was a great 4th of July.  The next day, Friday the 5th, was my last full day with my friends.  It was a wonderful day as they celebrated as my birthday all day long...stay tuned! :)