Our First 4th of July Celebration

This was the first time that Daniel and I have been able to celebrate the 4th of July with children, and the first time in a looooooooong time that we have even had a chance to celebrate ourselves. We spent the morning sleeping (until about 8:30am when both the boys woke us up). It then took all four of us almost 2 hours to get out the door. We decided to do breakfast out as a family (which never happens due to our crazy schedules). We slipped in under the time limit before the restaurant starting serving lunch. Then, it was on to our new house (which we just turned in paperwork to start the buying process today) to do renovations.

Once at the house, Ezekiel slept for awhile and then it was Malachi's turn. We have one pack 'n play at the house, and Z was asleep in it. So, I tried to move Z onto a blanket on the floor without disturbing his current nap. I then put Malachi with pillow, blanket, bear, and "bop" in the pack 'n play. He slept for about an hour and a half (as opposed to his usual 3 hours). I was able to knock out a lot of painting and use up most of a paint can in the kitchen while Daniel did lots of "odd jobs" around the house. After both the boys were awake (around 2pm), I took them to the McD's drive-thru for a simple lunch in a car with no AC. Boy was it hot! It's a good thing that we still have a warranty on the van. Now I just have to find time to take it to the other side of Charlotte and wait on it with two small children! Ha, ha, ha:) After eating, we finished up painting and doing other things at the house and headed back to my parents for a few minutes of relaxing (after 5pm).

At about 6:30pm, we loaded up the car with the "limo" (double stroller) and the four of us and headed out to FA for their celebration. We listened to a local band (Cambpell) that is getting more popular and Tait. After that were the fireworks. Malachi did well, but I could tell he was scared by the noise and had to be held close. Ezekiel loved to look at the colors but was scared by the noise. Daniel and I really enjoyed them, and getting out of the FA parking lot was a whole lot easier than what we had previously experienced many years ago out at Lake Norman. It was a lot of fun and a safe, Christian, non-smoking, non-drinking environment. A good time was had by all (especially Malachi who was able to get a shaved ice)!!!