Independence Day, 2011

We celebrated our country's birthday the usual way - at Aunt Shan and Uncle Booger's annual fireworks extravaganza (on the 3rd). After hosting a quick dinner with Gia, Pap and John, and with the entire family appropriately dressed like patriotic dorks, we towed our lawn chairs, blankets and coolers over to the massive Davidson backyard for the show.

Flint was super tired, having skipped his evening nap. With his bedtime getting pushed a few hours, we thought we would be in for a very grouchy evening or even worse, firework terror. However he did pretty well, albeit drowsy. He sat very happily through all the noise of the fireworks show and seemed to enjoy the display. He continues to impress all with his easy-going nature and happiness.

Lyla, as usual, loved it at first, then grew kind of bored and distracted until the finale. She jumped from lap to lap, pretended to catch the fireworks with her hand, held Daddy's ears for him, and played with a glow necklace or three in between ooohs and aaahs. Aunt Shannon had ordered a water slide bouncy apparatus thing that she was super excited about, but after a few ant bites, attempts to play among the older, rougher kids, and encounters with wet grass (oh no!) she gave up and put her dry dress back on. This night, snow cones and soda pop were more her style.

Needless to say, Flint crashed in the car before making it out of Roanoke. Little Miss wore her glow necklaces "like a robot." She wore them while showering. She wore them through story time. She wore them to sleep.

And when she woke up the next morning, she refused to take them off. She wore them all day long, even to the hospital to wait on our dear friends' new firecracker, Baby Violet. Since then, she has gone to bed with one around her waist like a belt at least a half-dozen times. If she can find one, she's got it on.

Happy Birthday, USA!
And Happy Birthday, Sweet Baby Violet Sue! We already love you!