The Fourth of July

Let me first just say that any of you mamas out there with a houseful of littles that are legit bloggers and keep up with timely posts… you rock. Hats off to you!

Also, hello lovlies! Hope you all had an amazing Fourth. This year we kept it low key and laid back, a perfect holiday segue into our laid back weekend. You know, as laid back as a house with a newborn, a puppy, kids and grandparents gets. But low key doesn’t mean we didn’t let our holiday flag fly high, because we did. In fact we painted ourselves right into the holiday spirit. (A behind the scenes look at our handpainted flag shirts here.)

Little pudgy baby bellies slay me. 

And since the paint was already out, we spread banner paper along the counter and let the kids go crazy on it… A house made of fireworks? Rock on.
Papa making us a pancake breakfast. 
And this syrup? Deeeeelish.

The entire week has been a downpour of rain, and so when the morning began with clouds parted and bursts of warm sunshine dappled through the pool screen, we took advantage of it and spent the better part of the day’s early hours splashing and laughing before the afternoon’s inevitable showers.

After a round of the all-American classic lunch of hot dogs and red, white and blue jello while we visited family, it was time to put those sparklers, firecrackers and fountains to use that these two spent so much time picking out and deliberating over.

Sparklers have always been fun, but seeing their smiles and hearing their squeals echo in the street outshines any spark from that little flaming stick. Seriously, SO cute.

I think the veil of smoke was more entertaining than the glimmering fountain. These two literally chased each other through the smoke until the remnants of it could barely be seen.


We indulged in a very cheery s’mores break and a sampling of daddy’s big show, where we all cheered and clapped excitedly for each firework (Brayden was totally adorable with his squeals of delight), before we were forced back inside for the roaring thunder and rain to lull us all to sleep.

Hope you all had an amazing Fourth! I feel incredibly blessed to live in this country where we can enjoy and exercise so many freedoms with our family. God bless America! And you also, wherever you may be.

Back to the weekend…