My first block party. Ever.
Block parties are cool.
I could not believe all the great things that happened today. There were games and prizes for the kids, a rib cook-off, a cupcake baking contest, a water balloon toss and a competition that required teams to contrive of a contraption that would protect three eggs from a 25 foot fall (all teams were given two balloons, a few cotton balls and a paper bag).
On top of all that, there was plenty of food, deserts, big wheels, green machines, wine and beer of all kinds. We brought over brownies and a few grillables, plenty of beer, a fine table and six chairs. We didn’t contribute nearly as much as others, but we’re still relatively new to the block and responsibilities that come with it.
There were a few highlights of the night, including talking to one neighbor who grew up in the house he now lives in. We also heard a bit of history of the family who lived in our house before the family we bought the place from. We learned that the cul de sac used to be a green house of sorts, and that Ulysses S. Grant used to play in the field nearby as a boy. (Okay, I made that one up.)
I was out there enjoying the party from 3:45 to 11:45. It was tiring watching my three year old run around for hours trying to keep up with the “big kids” but he did a good job. The 5-month-old got hungry and I had to give him his bottle standing up. That was tough. I did go in for about an hour to bathe my oldest and get him to bed and then I napped for about 30 minutes before going back out and having a few more beers and help clean up.
All that said, a great day in South Central and a great day at my first ever block party with my fine neighbors. I am still in transition, but this place is growing on me fast.
