Fourth Of July Fun

It is so hot today! It has been raining off an on and the heat continues to increase. After ruling out the pool (heat + threat of rain), we all decided to just relax today. We slept in, we got the house picked up, and after much cuddling I got Gracie down for what would be a 2 1/2 hour nap!

While Gracie slept I got a big bag together to take to the park for the fireworks. We had hoped to leave at 5 when all the fun started, but my little sleepy pie stayed down and I was not about to wake her up!

Around 6:30 we headed to the park. Gracie grabbed a free hot dog for dinner and then was ready to start on the free fun stuff. She actually went on 2 of those bouncy things. She was hesitant at first, but then she went on in. She got stuck again as there was a tunnel. Daddy pulled her out of the toy from the back, but mommy insisted that she keep trying. He put her back at a different spot where there was as slide. Now she was stuck again, she was too afraid to try to go up the ladder. It wasn't a real ladder, it had hand holds and foot holds for you to climb up. After a minute or two a little girl came by and offered to help her up. Gracie let her help her and I was very thankful. She stayed in the inflated room for a little while before she came out.

In addition to the bouncy things, they had a petting zoo, pony rides, and tons of carnival food stands. We skipped the pony rides as the lines were very long and the heat was awful! She did see and pet the animals, and luckily I had brought along plenty of activities to keep her busy until fireworks time.

Strasburg's 4th celebration is very nice. Besides what we went to, there are 4-5 HUGE bouncy slides and room things, a classic car show, live music, free and expensive food, pony rides, the petting zoo, plus the pool. The pool had closed because of lightening, but they were opening back up for the after fireworks pool party.

Gracie, Garren and I got comfy on the picnic blanket and Gracie went through the games and toys I had packed. I also brought cookies I had baked earlier that had flags on them.

When the toys wore off, I suggested the boxes of sparklers that we had gotten from WalMart. Garren took her off in to some abandoned grassy area and let her have fun with the sparklers.

We didn't have to wait too much longer until the real fireworks. Gracie was very impatient, but then when they started, she got scared. It was so loud that it wasn't until a break that I heard her crying. Garren sat up and held her in his lap (we were lying down to see them better). He covered her ears with a towel and that helped. After that she didn't stop yakking! She loved them.

We all had a great time, and I am very glad that we went. I guess Garren is right: this town isn't so bad after all.

I took this video of Gracie and the sparkler. Of course while I am videoing she gets her hand too close. She was fine, and the video was too good not to share.



I thought you might like to see some of the fireworks. Gracie has already watched these videos at least a dozen times! She loves to see them again, and again. This is the best one.



See more 4th of July pictures here.

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