Fourth of July weekend

The weekend of the fourth of July is always one of my favorite times of the year. It is full of get togethers, family, food, fun, fireworks, and lots of other craziness. This year we had 3 different parties throughout the weekend. The kids do really well with getting out and with all the distractions, usually mommy pays the next few days as they have to catch up on rest. For those of you that don't know, we are watching Wren really closing as she seems to be showing the same signs of sensory processing disorder. So, they both love swimming, loved being able to run and stomp and play in other people's yards. 

The pool is like a giant hug to them both. They are able to feel constant resistance to their bodies and from day one both have loved the water.

They enjoyed playing with other kids toys, especially the big toys.

Once it was dark, the kids tried to catch lightning bugs and played with glow sticks.

I had to include these pics of Wren from the weekend that made me laugh. She was 'smelling' the flowers and didn't realize the sprinkler was headed her way.

They enjoyed spending the night of the fourth at a family friend's house at Highland Springs. The kids did really well. Thankfully there was plenty of space for them to run around freely, plenty of noise to cover up any screaming, small enough I could keep track of them, but enough people there to distract them.

Cruz has carried this golf ball around now for 3 days, sleeps with it, eats with it, etc.

Lots of the other kids enjoyed having a popsicle on the back porch.... mine...
well...

Wren wandered freely on her own a lot...

Then the kids discovered the huge bowl of ice. The ice was meant to keep the drinks cool but as you can tell from the pictures, my children tag teamed it. They both look very suspicious, keeping a look out to see if they'll get in trouble.

Don't mind us, just getting something cool to drink...

Big ice chips? Oh yeah, they love it.
Doesn't the cold bother their mouths? Nope.
Are they rubbing it all over their faces? Yep.
hmmm... you don't see that every day.

Then the kids finally got to have real popsicles

And then had to change clothes....

Wren went straight for the jump house. This girl has no inhibition.

We regrettably didn't get any pictures of the fireworks but in my defense I was covering Cruz's ears. Wren had headphones on and fell asleep during the fireworks. Both kids loved it. It was such a fun weekend, I can't wait until next year when they can do even more. 

The fourth of July is so special to our family and it would be wrong of me not to mention the fact that I was very much aware all weekend of all of the dads in the military that didn't get to celebrate with their families. Of all of the dads that aren't coming back home. Of all of the military wives that feel like single mom's. Of all of the military wives that tried to make it the best holiday for their kids as possible... on their own. Of all of the kids that didn't get to watch the fireworks with their daddies. Of all of the military families that are grieving. Of all of the military spouses that swallowed tears every time someone waved a flag. Of all of the military families that are filled with pride and yet feel empty from the separation. Of all of the families that are praying for daddy to come home. It is because of our great heroes that we are able to celebrate at all. We are incredibly blessed as a family. We are together. Jason is alive. Despite being hit with a grenade and shot simultaneously, he made it home from his second tour in Iraq.  It is easy for anyone to get caught up in the kids activities and the fun and games... Once a loved one has gone to war, it all takes on a different meaning. You really begin to celebrate freedom every day. We pray and thank God for our military every day. We are grateful for life every day. We realize that we are some of the fortunate few, every day. We realize that there are so many families, like the Clairday's, the Lopez's, the Owen's, the Blazer's (I could name hundreds of names) that celebrate the 4th of July differently and that they are missing their hero every day. Every year Jason says that listening to the fireworks in the neighborhood, he can't help but close his eyes and reminisce about being in combat. He looks at the children laughing and playing...  with not a worry in the world. Bang! Pop! Ooh! Ahhhh! Sadly, many Americans have no idea why they are celebrating this special day. It is our duty to raise our children to know that we are free because of the Brave Men and Women in Uniform fighting on our behalf. Just know that in the pageantry of it all, they are not forgotten and from the bottom of our hearts, we are thankful.