{independence day festivities}

On July 3 we went to a Balloon Launch and festival. It was pretty much a bust. It was too windy so the balloons didn't launch. We never did find the monster truck rides for Gerard. Most of the rides were not appropriate for little kids, especially toddlers. The food was greasy. But on a positive note, we did get to see lots of trashy people and carni folk!

Since Gerard was pretty disappointed in the whole thing we told him we'd get ice cream on the way home. That was nearly a bust, too -- we have never seen so many mosquitoes in one place! We quickly got our ice cream and raced back to the car to eat. Have you ever seen a 2-year-old eat a chocolate ice cream cone in a carseat? Not a pretty sight.

Any memories of the disappointment from the 3rd of July were quickly erased on the 4th.






After the obligatory pictures we walked to the parade where the kids joined their friends on the curb to collect candy.

After that we had lunch and took naps (except for little Gerard, of course) and then went across the street for standard July 4th dinner fare -- tacos. Tacos? Yes, a potluck taco bar with friends and neighbors. Very American of us, right?

Then we took the kids to their first fireworks show over the lake. Gerard LOVED it. He was almost as loud as the fireworks.
"Oh! Look at that one!"
"Oh! That one is gigantic!"
"Did you see that one?"
"Wow! That's loud!"
"Did you hear that one?" (No, we almost didn't hear that one OVER YOUR LOUD VOICE!)

Morgan was prepared for the loud booms, but ended up being pretty scared at first. She even wanted to go home. But once we gave her her paci and blankie (with which she covered most of her face) she actually enjoyed herself. She, too, did running commentary:
"Oh! Loud boom!"
"Oh, purple one!"
"Oh! pink one!"
"I like the pink one!"
"One more time!"

We have Aunt Debbie to thank for all the pictures. Of course that means she wasn't in any of them. I'll be sure to take some of her today!