July 4th Parade

It has become a tradition for the four of us to head to Bettendorf for their annual
4th of July parade. We always sit close to the start of the parade. My Mom always joins us for this parade. Last year we were able to view the parade with a Veteran, my brother Dan, he had just retired from the Air Force. This year my sister and her two girls joined us for the parade. There are always a ton of entries, including the Pleasant Valley High School Marching Band. Kurt and Sarah get a little upset when I stand up and clap and sing for my Alma Mater. Hey I marched with that band for 4 years and I am proud of it. So many people had out (throw) candy, beads, necklaces, frisbees, cup holders, t-shirts, flags, and many other things as well. I really think that is one of the reason my girls love the parade is all of the stuff that they bring home. We split the candy with my sister this year and still brought home a grocery bag full of candy. Candy or no candy, I think everyone loves a good parade. Of course we also love a day off and a reason to celebrate. Hope everyone has a great 4th.

Found: My old monkey.

I recently saw the cutest new scrapbooking paper and embellishments. It had sock monkeys on it. I wanted to buy some, but knew that they only way I would probably be able to use it, would be if I could find my old sock monkey that my Grandma Steinhagen had made for me many years ago. I thought that the monkey was gone for ever. Well today, my mom wanted us to come down and help move things out of her basement so that she could have some work done and what did I find? Not only my monkey, but also my brother's and my sister's elephant. Mom couldn't understand at first why I grabbed them out of the toybox and took them upstairs. Thankfully I had my camera with me and was able to take a few pictures. Now, lets just hope that the store still has the paper in stock next weekend when I get down there. Of course I need to look for a picture of my Grandmother also. I so can't wait to tell the story of my sock monkey. I may even dig out my daughter's sock animals and take a picture showing the old and the new. The girls sock animals were to cute to play with much, but my old monkey was well loved and made with love not mass produced. Can't wait to get this early childhood memory recorded.