Sunset Picnic and Parade

Last Tuesday night, we went out to see the United States Marines Drum and Bugle Corps Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial. We parked at Arlington Cemetery and walked to the memorial. We had a picnic while waiting for the parade to start. (Wesley has really started to like picnics recently. ) I enjoyed the announcements before the parade that gave information about the battle on Iwo Jima and facts about the statue. For example, it is the largest bronze statue in the world. I love history because it is the story of people and their lives. I also love trivial facts; even though, I can't remember them very well.

Lydia has reached that crazy stage where she is really testing the limits but isn't ready for most consequences. Yes, I redirect her but she is challenging at times. Of course, she is sweet, funny, smart, and absolutely adorable and lovable. But she is my wild card right now. She had very little interest in what was happening on the field in front of us.

Here she is playing peek-a-boo with Colten. At one point, she tried to walk between Colten's carrier and me and she ended up turning a forward flip before landing on her back - uninjured.
The Wrights joined us, but they didn't like it as much as we did. Well, Hunter seemed to like it.

We saw this parade about five years ago and enjoyed it then. Since Wesley is so interested in music, drums, and marching bands, we knew he would enjoy the Drum and Bugle Corp. Chris' oldest brother gave their dad a DVD of computer animated robots playing the drums and other mallet instruments; Chris liked it some much he bought it for himself. Wesley loves to watch this "dum veedo" on car trips.

The best quote of the night was from Wesley, "That guy plays the drums like me."

The next photo shows when it all started to go down hill for me. I like the silent drill team but I knew the kids would be a little challenging during this time. Wesley was a little attracted to this but he kept asking when the band was coming back. At one point, Lydia starting going through my purse and screaming, "Mint! Mint!" Since I couldn't find a mint, I gave her a half a piece of gum so she would stop disturbing other people. The gum lasted about a minute before she swallowed it.

Chris was unaware that the kids were getting a little crazy because he was focused on recording the event. I bet he will hear the kids when he watches the recording. Later he said, "You should have told me that you needed help."

Sometimes I complain about living here: the cost, the traffic, the crowds. But there are times when I realize how special it is to live outside of our nation's capital. I felt very patriotic this night and I appreciated the chance to get out and enjoy one of the many wonderful events this area has to offer.