Block Party Five

Barb wasn't sure she even wanted to organize another block party. It always rains. Last year's wasn't as well-attended as she had hoped. It's a lot of work, and summer is already a busy time what with the kids out of school. But the neighbors asked her "When's the block party?" enough that her enthusiasm was renewed and she pulled it together in a short period of time.

It was worth the effort! (Although that's easy for me to say, given that my part of the set-up consisted of going to Dollar Tree to buy twenty helium balloons.) Turnout was pretty good, we met new neighbors from down the street, and Elizabeth bonded with a new friend.

Our most awesome neighbors, Heather and Jerry, brought wooden bird houses, paints and brushes for the craft table; last year they brought terracotta bird baths, glue, and a king's ransom in glass gemstones. Another neighbor responded to Barb's broadcast request to borrow a cornhole game by building one. What neighbors! What a neighborhood!

The fancy lads in Creston throw a block party by officially closing the street and inviting the fire department to hand out stickers to the kiddos. Here in Woodstock we just roll a garbage can with a hand-lettered sign to the end of the block and call it good.

Our next door neighbor Reed performing a feat of strength. My kid is the one wearing only underpants.