4th of July 2018

Oh 4th of July ... it feels like it was months ago already rather than just weeks. That might have to do with the fact that so many life changing things have happened around here in the last two weeks and it all has us in a bit of a tail spin! I plan to share more of a life update here in the next week or so but before I do, I can't pass up the opportunity to document one of my favorite 4th of July's to date! Prepare yourself for MAJOR picture overload because if you've been around here long, you know I can't hold back. ;) And if anything, skip to the very end, because there is a story there worth reading and being reminded of child-like wonder and awe. The true essence of what makes witnessing holidays through a child's eyes, absolute magic!

Looking cute and festive as ever in their Sunday best before the 4th of July! Liam got those adorable suspenders and bow tie from his Pa and Grams and he was obsessed with wearing them!

First thing on the morning of the 4th we headed straight for the parade downtown. It was in the most perfect spot this year where one side of the street was completely shaded (top it off with 75 degree weather) and people throwing candy at our children, we could have stayed there all day! haha The beginning of the parade always gives me goosebumps as the military marches the flag down the street! It was so cute watching Liam put his hand over his heart. All those days of saying the Pledge of Allegiance during preschool last year. ;)  

It didn't take him long to learn that if he waved at the floats or people passing by that they would toss handfuls of candy his way. I don't think that arm ever got a rest for the next hour and a half. ;)

Lyla had about 4 different 4th of July outfits to squeeze in that day (#girlclothesshoppingproblems) but these tiny star and stripe moccs may have been favorite part!!!

The second best part of the parade was watching the Portneuf helicopter fly over us. They did multiple passes with it this year and did all kinds of tricks. It was so much fun to watch and of course, Liam was in heaven saying, "Dad, hold me up!!"

Part way through the parade, a man walked up to Nic (noticing me sitting with Lyla in my lap behind him and Liam) and offered a sucker for Lyla. Here I was thinking I would be a fun mom and give her a couple licks ... she would not let that thing go!! Death grip 'til the very last drop!

When we got home from the parade, this sweet sleepy girl was tuckered out and slept most of the afternoon ...

... and woke up just in time for the neighborhood bike parade!

A couple years ago, a lady in my neighborhood had been organizing an annual bike parade on the 4th where all the kids got to decorate their bikes/scooters/wagons/strollers and she would play patriotic music as they rode up and down the streets. At the time, Liam was only 9 months old and so we sat on the back end of our car and cheered on all the little neighbor kids as they passed. Since then, the lady and her family moved out of the neighborhood and no one has picked it back up since. I knew how much Liam would love it so I decided to start it back up again this year. We took around fliers the day before inviting everyone to join and got a pretty decent number of families who both participated and watched! It was a lot of fun and a tradition I hope to keep going, even if it won't be with our friends in this neighborhood next year.

It was dinner time and we were starving after the bike parade so I kept it simple and we did sandwiches and fruit for dinner.

Then we spent the rest of the evening out back playing in the pool!

This picture!! haha

Liam is ALL boy! Loving playing squirt gun fights with his dad ...

Lyla still doesn't love the water. It's nice having this seat in our pool because she cries when we try putting her feet in. 

My heart is a puddle on the floor whenever she is in his arms!!!

With a 7:00 bedtime that she can't make it past, Lyla missed out on fireworks for her first 4th of July. It turned out to be a really special bonding time for the two of us with Liam. Nic lit a few little ones in the street for Liam and I to watch.

While he ate his popsicle ...

Or rushed up to watch Nic light the fireworks and ran away as soon as he was told to get back ...

And his favorite part of all, the sparklers!! Thankfully this year we made it through the holiday without anyway touching the end of one of these bad boys, unlike last year!

The boys busting a move to the strobe light ones! haha

Practical dad, having Liam use his sparkler to kill a weed growing in a crack on our driveway. haha

And the moment that is etched on my heart the most from the whole day was this one ... after finally putting Liam to bed for the night, we slipped out the front door to sit on the porch together and watch the sun slip below the horizon. There were neighbors letting off illegal fireworks around us to watch as we waited to see the city show at dark. 

It was getting close to 10 and I had to run inside to use the bathroom and found Liam in there looking for us. In a confused voice he said, "Mommy, someone has been scratching on my door?!" That's when I grabbed his hand in mine and said, "Come here, I want to show you something." He asked quietly, "Mommy, where are we going?!" and I guided him out the front door and onto our porch where he witnessed the biggest fireworks he's ever seen in his life. We then went on to explain that was where the noise he was hearing was coming from. You could tell he was absolutely amazed! But it wasn't the only thing he noticed ...

He pointed to a tiny little light in the sky and said, "Mommy Daddy, what's that?!" To which we both replied, "That Liam, is a star." and we both realized in that moment, it was also his very first time ever seeing a star in the night sky. We watched him look up with complete wonder and awe in his eyes as he started searching for more, "there's one, there's one, look over there!", taking them all in. It was absolute child-like magic and wonder!

We stayed out there long past his bed time, just the 3 of us. Not even talking all that much but just watching as colors flashed across the sky. It was moment as a mom that I'll never forget. His first time seeing that star in the night sky ...

So Happy Belated 4th of July! I hope you had a magical day with the ones you love! I sure did! XO