4th of July

We had such a good time on the 4th.  We started out the day by scraping the ugly texture off the ceiling in the girls room.  Benjamin worked on that for about 3 hours and I managed to assist for maybe 20 minutes.

After that was finally over, we got ready for the fireworks.  I packed a festive dinner for everyone.

Sandwiches shaped as the American flag, the United States of America, and a star.   (I used food coloring and  a small paint brush for the fireworks and flag decorations.)  Strawberries dipped in vanilla creme and blue sprinkles (red, white, and blue), red radishes, and then olives and carrots in hopes they would eat something.

  We usually go downtown around 4pm and scope out a great spot for parking and sitting to watch the AMAZING fireworks.  The fireworks downtown are the best I've ever seen, just so you know.  We were able to get our usual spot and then went to the playground, that few people know about, behind the museum.  The girls had a good time and Bracken just chilled out on Daddy.

 After playing for a while and walking around downtown we decided we were hungry, but it started raining and our blanket got all wet.  So, we ate in the back of the car.

So, we ate and watched a movie.  Inara eventually had to go potty so we took her, unenthusiastically, to the port-a-potties they had lined up for all the people that would be there but she wouldn't go much farther then the door.  "It YUCKY," and she started crying.  I don't blame her.  We went to a local shop, bought a soda and waited in line for over 20 minutes so that she could use the restroom.  I just had to add this tid bit because it's kind of funny.

It was then time for the fireworks so we grabbed our blanket and found a new spot next to a nice family with kids the girls ages.  We shared our glow sticks with them and they shared their spot with us.  

Entegra made an instant friend and we were invited to join them at the Christmas parade.  It's so nice to make new friends.

friend, Entegra, Bracken, Inara, Taryn

The kids were all jumping up and down, when the fireworks started, yelling , "YEA YEA YEA!!"

friend, Entegra

Bracken's 1st Independence Day

It always amazes me how many people will turn out and stick around for hours (like us) just to watch 15-20 minutes of fireworks.  Everyone sat or stood in their spots waiting for the noisy lights to fill the sky.  And when they shot up in the sky you could hear the crowd literally ooh and ahh.

What an amazing celebration!