These kiddos make my heart melt like a popsicle on the Fourth of July

I have always loved the Fourth of July. When I was younger it was my very favorite holiday--yes even better than Christmas. Maybe that's because it meant my birthday was just weeks away. But more likely it's because it was time we spent with family--cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. To me, the Fourth of July will always remind me of small-town parades in Fillmore and scurrying to gather up salt-water taffy. It's the day long picnic and games in the little park by my grandma's house in Scipio. My very favorite activity was the races.

Every year, I would line up with the other kids in my age group and race to the finish line, hoping to collect the prize of a couple quarters. My heart would race with anticipation and a little fear. I was so worried I wouldn't finish first, but at least as I remember it, I usually did. I thought about the races year round, waiting and waiting for July to come.

Now I live in a gigantic city with none of the small town charm and innocence from my childhood. One day soon, I hope, my own children will get to experience the Fourth of July the way I remember it. But for now, we are able to enjoy barbeques with good friends and a decent fireworks show that's just down the road. I still make my kids a new patriotic outfit, just like my mom did for us. Sorry Isaac, I just thought homemade shorts might be a little nerdy. :(

It was difficult to get a decent picture of the kids in their patriotic finery, since one kid was grouchy and one kept wandering away...this is the best we could do.