Happy Fourth of July

Leila and I enjoyed another great Fourth of July at Nana and Popo's house. It was full of the usual -- lots of pool time, a few games of croquet, margaritas, tasty BBQ dinner, homemade ice cream, apple pie and fireworks. Here's a video montage of the day...



And here are a few more pics from the Fourth...
Bartender Dad/Dan/Popo, working on the perfect Midori Margarita. After a couple attempts, he nailed it.

As long as my brother is in the military, my Dad will continue to fly the flag. He takes it down every evening before sunset and puts it up again first thing in the morning. And each time, he salutes. He's been working on teaching Leila how to salute, and for the most part, she actually gets it...

Leila was eager to watch the fireworks, that is, until the flame was lit and the sparks were flying. And when the pops went popping, her heart almost leapt straight out of her chest. And so, Leila promptly and very willingly went to bed, with no stalling tactics whatsoever...asleep in less than 10 minutes, record-time, for sure.
And then there was the two-day croquet tournament. Someone (we won't say names, but there are rabbit ears behind someone's head for a reason) invented the notion of a trophy for his single triumph in the three game tourney. We all had a win, but only one of us avoided a 3rd place (I don't need a trophy, thanks).
Leila's moment(s) of glory was chasing frogs across the lawn. She can now add "frog" to her long, ongoing list of "best friends."
In the comfort of a backyard pool (without neighbors to scare), we initiated actual "swim lessons." I decided for a no-nonsense approach this time and treated it like a job I was getting paid for, when a parent actually expects results. Leila cried for the duration of our two 15-minute, action-packed lessons, but she really made a lot of progress -- she's kicking on the kickboard, swimming with her arms, and laying on her back (though too stiff and nervous to float). Of course I'm leery of destroying her enjoyment of the pool, but I quickly learned that her joy will not be so easily thwarted. Alongside those cries of terror is a cry of perseverance and determination. And then, a sigh of satisfaction. Within minutes of the seeming torture, she was back splashing around on the first two steps, happily and with newfound confidence. And she's even said that she's willing to try it ("swim lessons") again.
Last week, before our Fourth festivities, Leila began asking me to invite her friends over for dinner. One night, we had Katia and Ryan over. Leila even asked Katia to read her a bedtime story.

And another night, Leila asked to have our neighbors and buddies - Maddy, Olivia and Jane - over for dinner. Here they are enjoying a moment of relaxation with rice krispie treats. Thanks, Jane.