Happy birthday, America-part 2

July 4th was on a Wednesday, but that didn't stop us from celebrating the nation's birthday.  Conversation this morning:
L:  (running in our room to wake us up)  HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!
Me:  Do you know why we celebrate the 4th of July?
L:  Yeah, it is something about George Washington and the White House
Benton:  WIPEOUT?!?!  I LOVE WIPEOUT!!!  IT'S MY FAVORITE SHOW!!

And so began our Fourth of July.

We started the day at the Rivers' newly-installed pool.  We have spent most July 4ths together for the past six years, but we usually go to the Ruffs' pool.  Since the Rivers had a pool installed last week, we were glad to break it in on this holiday. 

After lunch and a nap for all, we headed out to the Ruffs for round two of celebrating.  The kids swam and swam and swam some more.  Somehow neither David nor his dad had seen the kids swim yet this summer, and they were so excited to show off their moves.  Luckily, Cappy loves to swim, so he stayed in the pool for much longer than I did entertaining the kids.  He and Benton played Batman and Joker in the water somehow, and as they were getting out Benton informed him that next time they will play Star Wars.  None of us have a clue what that means, but B was excited.
Daniel and Brooke joined us for supper, which included homemade ice cream, then we all donned our glow bracelets and shot some tame fireworks.  On the drive home we were able to see the Olive Branch and Southaven city fireworks, and our car was much quieter than the parks were (and less crowded, and cooler).

 Notice Kit wore her patriotic outfit today, which is also known as her Dorothy costume.  That doll can make fashion statements better than Kate Middleton.

 Batman fighting Joker

 Lindsey really wanted me to get a picture of her doing a cannonball, but this was the best I got.

This treehouse was built at Puddie Ruff's house in Tupelo 51 years ago when Cappy was young for his siblings and cousins to enjoy (it was actually built by two of Cappy's older cousins).  The treehouse was still there for David and his siblings and cousins to enjoy, and David said that July 4th always meant cousins playing tennis, swimming, and playing in the tree house at Puddie's.  When Puddie's house sold last year, Cappy moved the three house to Germantown.  It took some big equipment to get the thing down!  It sat in a trailer in the Ruffs' driveway for months, but this summer they had a new platform built.  Last week the treehouse was put back on the platform, and the tree house is now ready for a third generation of Ruff kids to enjoy!