Street Party

National Night Out is a great idea. Basically you shut down your street and everyone in the neighborhood gets together for a BBQ and hang out time. Our street only has four homes on it and we don't necessarily hold to National Night Out. We have begun to celebrate the end of the school year by doing a street party at the beginning of the summer and one near the end of the summer.

Each party has similar elements to it. We all gather outside of our house where we have a hammerhead turnaround. Then we sit and chat while the kids play. Ben or I fire up the grill and dinner is served. We all bring different things and get full on all sorts of goodies. The evening highlight is always the "talent show." The kids put together a show for the adults. Some of the talent includes lip-syncing, dancing, skits, "commercials," and choreographed martial arts. Some of the bits are put together moments before they happen, but there are also some that have been rehearsed for weeks beforehand.

I love this annual celebration. It's such a fun way to start and end the summer. We have great neighbors and not everyone knows their neighbors. I am thankful God has placed us on this street with these people. The boys next door are such a huge part of our kids' lives and make summer fun. It would be hard if Kynzi and Karston were the only kids on this street. Of course, there will be 2 more kids on this street for next years' celebrations!!

 This year the boys did a "fashion" show.

Kynzi sat down with Alexis, the youngest and newest member of our street family.

Street Party

Last weekend we decided to have our 2nd annual street party. We are actually having another one in August on National Street Night Out day, or whatever it's called. We like our neighbors so we decided once was not enough.

We got the BBQ out and had brats and other yummy dishes everyone shared. The kids decided that they would put on a play for us again and as is usual, we laughed very hard. They are hilarious. Then Kynzi sang Mr. Mom for us. Will she become an actor? I don't know. (side note, Karston told me he wants to be a youth pastor and do what I do when he grows up...how AWEsome is that?! Not bad since he has wanted to be a maker [McDonald's french fry maker], a race car driver and a Red Sox player for so long)

We also made s'mores in our little city approved outdoor fire place.

Here are a few pics from that fun night.