Laid back 4th of July

Yesterday, we decided to rearrange Brodie's room while the babies napped. We are both very bad in math, so there was measuring, moving furniture, RE-measuring, and RE-moving.

I made everyone little pizzas for lunch (babies LOVED it), and after the kids' naps, we packed everyone up, and drove down to the lakeshore. We parked and walked up and down and watched people who camped out (literally) all day for their coveted fireworks viewing area. The city cancelled all of the annual 4th daytime festivities due to construction of the downtown area, but there were a lot of private parties. One area had a mini-golf area set up and about 5 of those inflatable bouncy things--including a HUGE King Kong vs. T-Rex slide. Thankfully they were not operational when we walked past, so we told Brodie they were closed.

After our walk, we stopped for ice-cream at an old/new place. It's an old ice cream shop that we didn't care for, but they have new owners, and a franchise (Chocolate Shoppe) that we like. The lady went nuts over all 3 kids...we totally made her day. She gave us a "princess cone" of vanilla ice cream for the babies, and Brodie got a new paper hat (ala Jelly Belly, Krispy Kreme). Brodie chose Blue Moon--a disgustingly bright blue ice cream that tastes to me like lemon-flavored Froot Loops. The babies made some funny faces at the feel of the cold ice cream, but then Cate developed a taste for it, and had a fit when I decided that she'd had enough. Cailey could have cared less.

We came home, and Tom grilled ribeyes and potatoes, and I made salad and corn on the cob. Can you say "full?" Brodie was SO good all day; I let him stay up, and he and I sat upstairs in the hallway, and watched the fireworks over the top of the trees until 10:00. He made a wish on a "shooting star firework" that we would be best friends forever and ever. *sniff-sniff* The babies never once woke up from all the noise! Brodie was up at 6:00am, much to my dismay. Today we have a playgroup. I suppose I should make the effort to get out there.