The annual St. Bernard's Carnival was a few weekends ago and Isaac was feeling much better, having recovered from a vicious bout of pink eye.  The summer's weekends have been so packed that only now am I getting around to posting the pictures, but whoa, these are some cool pics.

The Chopper was his favorite ride, by a long shot.  I lost count on ride 11 and that was easily only halfway there.  His technique was impressive though as you can see from the picture.  He had a distinct lean in during tight turns (all of the turns were tight, the thing went around in a circle).  You can also see his perfect 10 and 2 hand positioning.  This is a serious kid and he has serious fun, much like his mother.

Here he is on his next favorite ride, the cars, which also go around in a circle.  He would have the perfect 10 and 2 hand positioning, but the steering wheel is a little mushed, so we get 9 and 3.  Still, lots of serious fun.

The final ride we did more than once was a big ride, one that I-man couldn't go on himself.  Dad was a little worried that I-man might not like it as it is a very big ride.  Here is the view from the top of the ride:

Despite the heights, Isaac wanted to go on the ride again and again and so we piled on to the Ferris Wheel at least three times.  Here is a shot of Dad and Isaac on the ride:

Not even a hint of fear in those little eyes.  He is a pretty brave and curious little guy and the carnival was a lot of fun, especially now that Isaac can ride almost every ride.  Those that he couldn't ride, well let's just say I don't have that much faith in people that can't keep track of their teeth, let alone the nuts and bolts for a ride that flings you 50 feet into the air.

Yes, I know it was more than two weeks ago, but I am trying to keep up with all of the I-man happenings and it is difficult.

Anyway, it was the traditional 4th party at our house.  Almost the entire Nap crew showed up and the boys, Little Anthony, Myles, Colby, and I-man, were wound for sound.  Between the firecrackers (as a dad and uncle and pyromaniac I am obligated to get fireworks) and the giant home made slip and slide, the four boys had enough energy to power a trip to Mars and back.

Bianca made Raspberry Lime Rickeys, both for kids and adults.  They were excellent.  She also busted out her famous Texas Dog recipe.  They too were delicious.  The stars of dessert were two batches of brownies and Aunt Tara's delicious cake pops with a twist.  They had marshmallow centers instead of cake.  AWESOME!

The slip and slide worked quite well, everyone but one person had a great time.  Unfortunately for me that person was me.  One time, while pulling the body board down the chute I slipped and fell on my butt.  Okay, that's cool.  Then a little while later I ran chest first into our swing set.  Ugh.  Then, on my last go round with my slip and slide I fell so hard that everyone in the party quickly fell quite.  When I finally got my breath back and stood up there was collective "oooohhh" from the crowd.

The boys were undeterred by my brushes with death and soldiered on.  Hours of slipping and sliding, slowly turned into more firecrackers, including the world's longest sparklers:

After that we had some Jiffy Pop, because you know what cools you down on a 98 degree day?  Open fires and sizzling popcorn.  Tony Manna was excellent motivation for me as one batch was a dud (something I found out after 30 minutes of shaking near a roaring fire).  The second batch, though, was extra delicious.

The boys went home hopped up on sugar, smelling like sweat, firecrackers, camp smoke, and Palmolive.  Dad crawled up the stairs in agony.  And Mom collapsed in bed after cooking for an army.  All in all, it was an awesome 4th.

And as a special bonus, here is a video of I-man on the Slip and Slide:

We went to the Fitchburg July 4th Parade for the fourth straight year.  It was, like every other time, nearly 100 degrees, a little hotter when you are sitting on the pavement.  We stayed for the fire trucks and ran for free candy (the free candy inspired pandemonium 10 time greater than the candy deserves--peppermint pinwheels...blah).  But it was when the old timey and fancy cars came by that Isaac perked up the most.  As each passed he asked me if it was a muscle car or a hot rod or a sports car.  Then after a long line of gloriously finned behemoths from the fifties and sixties, a sleek new Corvette passed us.  Isaac leaned over to me and said: "That's a Corwette.  That is P-Pa's car."  Stunned I asked him who told him that.  He said: "P-Pa."  As we walked the one block back to our house I we chatted about the Corwette.  He told me his P-Pa was getting one and that he would drive it fast and make it go vroom vroom.  I asked him if he would be allowed to ride in it.  With a look so serious you'd think he was answering questions at a Congressional hearing, he stopped walking and looked at me.  Then he said: "Oh, yes.  Yes, for sure.  I will ride in it.  P-Pa, he is a good guy.  He will let me ride with him."

Good guy, indeed.