Bike Parade!

Our small town has the reputation of being "the" 4th of July hotspot in the region, with three to four days of scheduled activities every year. They plan parades, concerts, races, barbecues, etc. Today was the Bike and Doll Carriage Parade for kids! It was on the long driveway that passes in front of two churches and the library, and it was a lot of fun! We decorated the kids' bikes yesterday, so they were all set. And what we didn't realize was that the kids were divided into age groups, and that they were actually being judged when they went by the grandstand! And... Maya got first place! Nikos actually got second place, but was horribly disappointed that he "only" got a ribbon (as opposed to a "real" prize). Whatever! Both kids did great, especially considering that the driveway had a slight uphill slope to it. Maya lost her momentum a few times and nearly fell over, but kept trying her hardest and smiling-- which is why I think she won. The whole thing was adorable, and they even had cold drinks for all the kids (it was HOT!). We loved it!