July 4th Fun And Games

Our fourth of July started out early - 8:00 am short hometown parade

The kids waved at the trucks, people, and horses and collected a LOT of candy.

Next up - 9:00 am smalltown USA fishing derby

Silas and Phoebe participated in the fishing derby.  Each contestant had 45 minutes to catch as many fish out of the local pond as they could.  Each fish had to be recorded at the score keeper's table.  Prizes were awarded for a contestant's first fish caught, and to the angler who could catch the most fish in the 45 minute time period.  Phoebe caught 5 fish, and Silas won by catching 34 FISH! He was definitely showing off his crazy fast fishing skills.

His prize was a new fishing rod and reel and some tackle.

After that, 10:00 am hometown Frog Races

This is where our Bullfrog hunting was going to pay off... Each one of our families that went frog hunting had kids participating in this event.  We had eight Bullfrogs and eight kids.  We were ready!

Will and his Bullfrog were up first.  His frog went crazy hopping around as soon as EP let go of it before the race had even begun.  When it was time to actually race, his poor frog had used up all its hops.  It just sat, all hopped out.

Then it was Raylene and Gavin's turn.  Raylene's Bullfrog was ready and took off like it hadn't been free in three days.... Gavin's wasn't as quick on the take off.  Raylene's frog won and also won the finals!

Silas went next with "Wilbur".  We all had high hopes for Wilbur, but sadly he did not show off his hopping skills.

The oldest age group had Haylee, Rayna, and Phoebe in it.  They picked up their Bullfrogs and got on the starting line.... Phoebe's frog hopped its little heart out and won her and itself a place in the finals.

Sarah was too old for the official frog races so when it was all over each one of our eight kiddos picked a frog and had a race off between themselves.  I am fairly certain that this was "Wilbur's" race.  He must have been saving all his hopping strength for this moment.... Once on the line and released he did a couple big hops and crossed that finish line.  Way to go "Wilbur"!  You're "Some Frog" (some pig).

Below, left to right with their frogs, Will, Silas, Gavin, Phoebe, Haylee, Raylene, Sarah, and Rayna.

The last event of the morning - 11:30 am time for a cool off in the Raft Races

Will, Silas, and Phoebe participated in this event.  Will walked into the pool area with his business face on.  He walked straight to Ms. Jill got on his raft and did not look back (cry or yell) once.  He paddled like his life depended on it and easily won his race and collected his prize money and candy, like a boss.

Silas also dominated his race paddling and kicking his way to a VICTORY.  Prize money and candy for him too.

Phoebe had a little more trouble maneuvering her raft and adjusting her body to keep moving forward fast.  She placed second so no prize money for her, but she did receive candy.  Yum - Yum!

After all the events that morning three kids just wanted to take a backyard cool-off so they drug out the hose and the fun nozzle that could spray in different modes, and took turns spraying each other in different crazy spraying modes.

We ate pizza for lunch, and had a taco dinner, listened to the live band in the park, and watched fireworks together with our family.  It was a good smalltown fourth of July.  Below, Silas, Paul, Stacee, Gloria, Sarah, Phoebe, EP, Will, and Eric.