Hubbs bought some outdoor lounge chairs for my birthday this year. It was just what I asked for and I couldn't wait to use them on the 4th.
Nothing fancy, but they are perfect!
Later in the day, we pulled them to the driveway and set up camp for the show.
Hubbs let Lil' Miss pick out some fireworks at a local stand. She was quite strategic in her purchases. Lil' Miss wanted more smaller things than larger, more expensive fireworks. Her loot included:
- Colored smoke balls
- Blooming ground flowers
- Black snakes
- 4 purple and gold crackle fountains
- Gold sparklers
- 4 boxes of Pop-its
She is so thoughtful. Each thing she picked out, she talked about who in our family would like the different things and that was why she wanted to get them. Love her!
Since there were hours and hours until fireworks time, Lil' Miss and I went to the neighborhood school to swing. I still love swings but they are definitely not made for lady hips!
Seeing Lil' Miss in her old stomping grounds proved just how much my sweet little girl has grown up. When she was just 2-years old, this adventurous little girl sneaked to the school on her own. I found her on this same play structure, bare foot, and wet from a potty accident but happy as a clam to be playing. She even said, "Mama, you come get me?!" Talk about mixed emotion moment. How can you both want to throttle and hang on for dear life to your baby who has literally vanished in the blink of an eye? I can't help but think of her still as that little girl. Alas this girl has grown up. She has grown into an extremely loving, passionate, thoughtful 12-year old.
The sun finally began to dip below the roof line and Lil' Miss was ready to light the smoke balls and snakes.
A neighbor friend couldn't help it. He had to come dance in the colored smoke with her. How could anyone resist dancing in the street to your own music?!
Once the sun went down, we settled in with our chairs and blankets to enjoy the festivities. Piper, our beloved 8-year old puppy, loves to be outside with us during the fireworks. As long as she knows where her pack is, she's good.
Sparkler time! Okay, I have to say, you definitely get what you pay for with sparklers these days. A box of 5 for $1.17. Deal right? If by deal you mean having to deal with holding a flame to it the entire time to try to get it to light, then you've got it right! It was a little comical. We tried and tried and tried again to get some of the sparklers to light and stay lit. Only 2 out of the box actually remained lit for any amount of time. In classic Lil' Miss fashion, she was there to assist those in need of sparkler power. Neighbor's sparkler never did fully light. If she moved at all, it would go out. So, this was a good as it got. :)
Lil' Miss is a true bookworm. She loves to read. Mostly she reads fantasy. She's been really into the Wings of Fire series. There are 3 books out so far and she read each one is just about that many days. Under the soft light of the streetlamp and firework filled sky, Lil' Miss read and read and read the night away.
It wasn't a big, extravagant celebration but it was ours and it was perfect. I love my little family!
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