We had a very busy 4th of July weekend. We actually watched fireworks three times! Grace really loved them this year. On Friday evening we went to the music/fireworks show our church helps put on for the community. The girls enjoyed catching fireflies with friends from church when the program got a little long.
After a late night we were up early to head for a spot to watch the parade. Here in Hannibal National Tom Sawyer Days is a big deal & their are lots of visitors. (read-super crowded!) Nana arrived all prepared with flags & snacks for the girls. The parade was really long (over an hour) so we didn't quite make it to the end. Then we headed home for lunch. There are lots of other fun things to do, but with the heat and three small kiddos we weren't up for any more fun. Jake & Josie had also came for the festivities and they at least brought Jeremy a funnel cake.
In the afternoon we gave the girls the choice of going to the pool or the playing in the sprinkler and they surprised us by choosing the sprinkler. They had gotten their sprinkler last fall so we hadn't used it yet this year.
That evening we went to Grandma Holst's house for a treasure hunt, dinner, homemade ice cream, & our very own fireworks show. I always think about my grandpa this time of year because he loved buying fireworks for us grandkids. So I thought it was fitting the girls got to try sparklers for the first time at grandma's house.
Treasure hunting fun- Grace & Jo Jo were a team and Faith & I were a team. Everyone gave me a hard time because Faith and I were the only team that didn't find any of our clues! (But we gave it a good effort)
By the time Sunday rolled around we were feeling pretty tired. So we gave the girls the choice of visiting the carnival downtown or going to the fireworks show that night. They once again surprised us by choosing to see fireworks (again). But, since this was a free option we decided to go with it. Some of our friends recently moved to a new home on a bluff overlooking the river, so we went to watch the fireworks with them. We just barely made it through as the kids were overtired and cranky.
I am glad it took me awhile to get this post finished up because at the end of the weekend I was so exhausted I didn't really feel like we really had that great of a weekend. But, looking back I know we made lots of memories and had lots of fun moments. And we were reminded of a crucial lesson for parents of small children. Sometimes less is better. (especially when it comes to staying out past bed time!)
