a happy Fourth for all

We had a relaxed Fourth of July at home. It always makes me happy to see the flags in everyone's yards. (Max was supposed to go help put them out at 6:30 a.m. but he didn't hear his alarm! He went at 8:30 p.m. to take them down.)

Much water play kept all the kids entertained.

Max and Lucas agreed to watch the girls so Jessie and I could escape to Archiver's, a place which is much better experienced without small children. Hannah met us there and we all oohed and aahed over the products and pawed through the clearance sections for good deals. Jessie and I were both amazed again by Hannah's restraint -- I think she only had about 3 items in her basket!

Jessie with her purchases

When we got home, we gave the kids lunch and put the girls down for naps. Then we played with some of our supplies! When they woke up, it was time for more water play.


We made a less healthy version of Hannah's muffin tin snacks for the girls:

When the boys saw it, they wanted their own! Hey, whatever it takes to keep them happily playing outside.

We did snaps and sparklers before the little girls went to bed so they wouldn't be completely left out.

Jack even managed to come out and join us (we thought the door was completely closed!).

Bella got brave and held her first sparkler!

But then she touched the end of it while it was still hot, giving her instant blisters on her fingers. It was so sad -- what a reward for her bravery! (It reminded me of the time we girls were inside on July 24th making place cards for Jessie's wedding reception, and the boys were outside doing sparklers. Lucas held a sparkler for the first time and did the exact same thing.)

I bought some Molli Coolz ice cream -- it looks just like Dippin' Dots, only at the grocery store -- and the kids gave it their stamp of approval. After the girls went to bed, we did the rest of our fireworks and Jessie and I played around with our cameras.

the boys' shadows during a strobe firework

Max got promoted to firework-lighter. He cracked us up by telling us that there are no duds on his watch!

Lucas with his sparklers

Jessie had the idea to make initials with sparklers. She claimed that the little sparks falling down felt like being hit with shrapnel! She won't live that one down anytime soon...

That's just cool!

I overcooked the caramel for the caramel corn... oops. We still ate it. It was great fun having Jessie & Bella around for the Fourth -- just like old times.