July 4th

We had a great July 4th. Our experience with independance day last year was a flop! We had heard of the best spot by people around town, so we headed to the local hospital parking (which is right on a lake). Lake St Louis is a fairly upscale area so we hoped for a great show. We did not get the best spot because all the fireworks were behind a tree line and the fireworks did not go high enough over the trees for us to see them. Plus it was so hot and humid we were melting like a snowman in the desert.
So this year we went to the next town over to a parade, we had great seats towards the front of the parade route so all the floats had tons of candy and water bottles to hand out. The girls had a great time chasing candy but Ainsley would eat it as soon as she picked it up. Brinnley had a bucket and she made a good haul on candy. In fact she is still eating it!
We went to this same parade last year and Brinnley got to meet a purple Hippo, the hippo gave her a hug and everything. So this year she drew the hippo a picture and made sure it came with her to the parade to give it to the hippo. I could not beleive she remembered the hippo experience for last year but I guess when you get hugged by a purple hippo this is something you just don't forget. So we made sure that the hippo got Brinley's picture.
We then went to a BBQ at a the Elders quorums Presidents house, there was about 80 people there, the girls took to thier back yard and played till we carried them away. Eating dinner was not as important as playing with friends in the grass UNTIL it came time for dessert!! As soon as I had cake and cookies I had two cute girls at my feet with thier mouths open just like tiny birds in nest waiting to be fed. They would take a bit and run and come back for more until my plate was empty and my cup of soda was gone. Mooching off your parents plates must be an innate trait in all kids. It is times like these when Kara and I realize we really are "living our dreams" and all the world some how makes sense until Ainsley pushes Brinnley and Brinnley steals Ainsley's toy and then the worlds reality of life with a three year old and a almost two year old hits you like a ton of bricks and you now have TWO upset, fragile, screaming girls.
We then went to a different firework show because last year, as you have read, was not the greatest. We went to Chesterfield where we had the insider tip as to where is the best place to watch the show. Ended up we were in the premier spot. We could even see the actual place where the fireworks were shot off. Parking was close, this was a high point because hauling three kids and chairs and blankets any amount of distance would have put a damper on the evening so I was excited about the parking situation. Any way we were right under the fireworks and it was so loud and amazing. Porter slept through it, Brinnley spent the first half of the show with her hands over her ears because it was too loud but loved the colors, she eventually warmed up to the noise and enjoyed it, and Ainsley watched the first half and then fell asleep. It was a Perfect day.