Happy "the Fourth"

We spent our fourth digging into some family time.  I am a homebody, I completely admit it.  I have a great time when we get out (usually), but it takes a whole lot of convincing to get me out in the first place.  The biggest convincer for me has been my sweet family.  In 5, 10, 20 years, I want our family to look back and have a flood of memories meet them at the door of our past.  Sure, many of those will be snuggled in our own home, but I also want to show our babies all of the wonderfully sweet things in which we can find delight. 

We took both girls to see their first fireworks show the evening of the third.  We brought a picnic early so we could grab a spot before they were all gone and watched as the people poured in (it's free, earlier than any other fireworks show around which is way awesome for the babies and accompanied by the symphony, check, check and ch-eck!)

Lettie hung out on our comfy blankets, just taking in the people and sky while we waited for the festivities to begin.  Once the music started, I tucked her into the sling so I could help block out the noise a bit (we didn't make the decision to go early enough... so, despite checking several stores, couldn't find noise cancelling headphones... luckily, I was able to keep things muffled enough for her to get comfy and fall asleep right as the fireworks started to go off).

The show started off with the symphony, and oh, my... the girls loved it (here meaning Anni and one of her sweet friends, Lettie was freaked out if I forgot to keep her little ears covered)!  They danced, Anni proclaimed every song to be her favorite and echoed, "Today!" for several minutes after they performed Neil Diamond's "America".  There was a light show during, but it was much more fun to watch Anni's expression and dancing. 

When it came time for fireworks, Anni's sweet little friend crawled under a blanket on her mommy's lap and stayed firmly put except to once respond to her mama telling her that Anni was watching the fireworks by saying, "Noooo, Anni, noooo!" with great concern.  

Anni loved the fireworks (though requested that Daddy keep his hands firmly over her ears... noise-muffling headphones next year, mama!)  She used the words "pretty" and "popping" quite a bit, but mostly just stared.  This, my friends, was so worth leaving my little home.    

 
We didn't roll out of bed until well after 10:30, with Lettie snuggled in and eating most of the morning as I watched her sweet face and dozed off, enjoying the laziness. 

Daniel's parents came down to celebrate, though we spent most of the day lazily recovering (it takes this homebody a lot of recovering time after going out, even if she did have a blast).  We did manage to pack a few boxes and do some cleaning with the extra baby-holding hands and reading to toddler Nonna around. 

We picked up some barbeque (no grills allowed on our deck!) and finished off the night with some bubbles.  Miss Anni usually gets so frustrated when she struggles to blow bubbles, but the wind did it for her tonight!

My heart is full of the sweetness of our little family.  God bless America.