party in the park

we did it! we (some neighbors, some friends, some members of the neighborhood association council) planned a little block party and it worked. there was music and sunshine and dancing and food and drinks and games. there were happy people getting together in the park.
and now, we can rest. we can sit back and settle into the gentle rhythm of mid-summer. or at least that's what i'm hoping for....

here is our happy little party entrance


david built a super amazing cardboard box maze, that shockingly withstood the hot scrambling and crawling of wild children for 4 hours. it was an engineering marvel.

our beautiful chalk billboard and decoration, courtesy of the talented Jessica

the lapham elementary school garden was well represented with cool buttons, an awesome teacher, and great information. the principal came, and we even managed to raise a little money for the elementary school. did you know that school garden cost $6000 / year to operate? guess what's not in the school budget....

james made a paper bird bracelet and flew him around the party

tyler hosted a dog fashion show, and it was a hit. exhibit a: dog dressed as lion.

exhibit b: dog dressed a leopard.

a mid- red light/green light game selfie.

we had some trucks at the party, too. a food truck,

and a firetruck.

ramona got a red streak in her hair, and won an owl from a little game,

while james got a purple streak in his hair (well, his scalp, really...), and later washed it out by dumping cups full of water over his head.

ramona and her friend climbed a fence to secure our electricity access. they are party heroes.

and at the end of the day, these two cuties waved some flags and shook some balloons.