Parades and Picnics

Between the 4th of July in Catonsville and the Brohawn Familys' Crab Soup Party our Julys are oozing with summer fun. Catonsville has a longstanding dominance in Independance day celebration and this year temps in the upper 70's made it even more enjoyable. Hanna was on board with our parade plan and took an early nap. Jim packed up the van with our potluck dishes, chairs, frozen rocket pops and the new Papa wagon. As tradition dictates we headed to the Shumakers and walked to the Catonsville parade. The big girls settled in for the hour and a half parade while Hanna buzzed from person to person absorbing all of the sights.

After the parade we trooped back for burgers and dogs and tons of sides and treats. The kids played and ate with friends and cousins. We adults had plenty of fun as well. Our evening ended with fireworks watched from the Shumakers' neighbors front yard. Hanna was still awake but sat completely mellow in our laps for the show. It was an exhausting and fantastic day.

The next weekend the festivities shifted focus to music and crab soup. We have been attending this party as a family for years and Jim has many memories from years ago. But as the years have gone by the responsibility has shifted down a generation and younger Brohawns and Brinks have taken over. Jim being of this generation has happily taken an active roll in the set up, helping, cleanup, and comradery that it entails. We all had a wonderful time. They are great with kids activities, snowballs and fun. The big girls helped with face painting while Hanna made use of the playground, and kiddie pool. Bridget played with Sarah and ate her weight in snowballs. I think Megan, Rae and Em may have also come close.