Independence Day

Happy 248th birthday, America! 

We started by going to the pool in the morning, and relaxed and splashed and read and chatted with friends. We headed to Brett and Brooke's house in the afternoon to meet up with Carlo and Amy and their girls, Cece and Penny.

It was fun for everyone! The kids got along famously, and the adults enjoyed time to chat and catch up. Baby Eliza is growing up so fast, and everyone had a turn holding her. We ate; the kids played in the pool; we listened to music; and Little Man won the hot dog eating contest (it wasn't even close, despite Penny's big talk).

Unfortunately, torwards the end Sweet Pea got some kind of painful rash on her leg, and her leggings irritated it. So I had CC switch her skirt with Sweet Pea's leggings, and then CC immediately started complaining that her legs were stinging from the leggings. Very strange! I assumed it was some kind of irritation from some chemicals in the pool, but that wouldn't explain why CC's legs started hurting after she put on Sweet Pea's leggings. It almost seemed like poison ivy spreading, but no one was anywhere near any vegetation. I'm hoping that tomorrow morning, both girls are feeling fine.

After we got home, it was time to light the big fireworks we'd let the kids choose earlier in the day. All were impressively loud and bright, but one of them shockingly sent bursts sideways and diagonal, sending us all ducking for cover. One bright, smoky streak landed on my neighbor's roof. How dangerous! I was shocked that it went off that way, and thankful there were no injuries or damage.

We ended the night with sparklers, which were a bit more tame. CC had enough, however, and headed inside for safety and quiet. Little Man and Sweet Pea were happy to light hers, and they had fun for another few minutes.

Now everyone is in bed and the house is quiet, although I can hear the pops and booms of fireworks sporadically going off all over the city. Happy Independence Day!