The Third of July is a holiday for our town. As long as we have lived here, we have celebrated Independence Day on July 3rd. The town rents inflatables for the kids to jump in, there is a drive in movie at night and of course, fireworks. Fireworks were a hot topic for me this year. Since we have lived here, they have always done the fireworks off right behind our house on the farm land. This year, the day before the 3rd (the 2nd) I found out they moved the fireworks to the opposite side of town, at the highest point, but out of sight. This was a huge disappointment for us. Luckily we have good friends that invited us over for the fireworks!
We have been trying to get together with our friends, the DenHartog's, for some time now. It finally worked for both families and we had them over for the third. Alex used to call Carter, Carter Hotdog, because he couldn't pronounce DenHartog. They have two kids about the same ages as our kids. From the second they walked in the door, the kids were off and playing together. It was so fun to see them interact and play without adults having to intervene (but maybe once or twice). Our oldest kids have been together in daycare since Alex was 9 months old. They are more like brothers and sisters than friends.
Yes, it was the Fourth of July, but Santa definitely had a presence at this holiday event. The older boys were reading Alex's big Santa book and I couldn't find a tray to make the dip on other than the Santa tray. We thought it might be a fun game to play some time, to make the dip and people have to guess who is under it?
We had a BBQ, the kids swam in the pool, ran on the slip and slide, and played in the yard while the adults played some pretty intense games of bags. I think we ended up saying the guys won one game and the girls won the other.
We knew it was perfect when they came with the same beer we had bought and Callie and I enjoyed some margaritas. I know, not kid friendly, but delicious none the less.
The boys were indulging in the fun and catching up on much needed play time with each other. Squish and Fish kisses.
I do have to say, I don't think they actually kissed, "Just Pretending, Mom".
Aiden and Grace had a great time together too. They didn't so much play together, but around each other. They were having fun and laughing too!
The night went so fast and got so busy at the end. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.
The DenHartogs are going to be great, life long, family friends.
At dark, we gathered around the fire pit in the front yard, the Olsen's stopped over, we did some small fire crackers and snappers, s'mores, sparklers and running around.
At this point, it was a neighborhood party and looked who was here...Uncle Luke!
At about 10 o'clock, we piled in the van and headed over to the Olsen's to watch the boomers! The boys were exhausted and hot! They did an amazing job all day... (Later that night, Alex woke up at about 3 crying that he didn't want Carter and Grace to leave).
The Olsen's were so kind and let us come in their "cool" (temperature and otherwise) house to wait for the fireworks. The kids quickly started playing in Abby's room. (I think Abby had fun too?) She was telling Alex how to work the car and which people should go in there.
Callie gave all the kids glow sticks when it was time for fireworks. We had a great view from the Olsen's, but nobody by our house could even see the fireworks. (Maybe rethink that next year, Lonsdale?)
God Bless America! Thank you to all the service men and women who have fought for us so that we can live in a free and happy place. So that my kids can have experiences like the one they had today and friendships like they will have for a lifetime.
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