4th

Our 4th this year started at a church "4th of July Breakfast" at the park. Dana was helping a friend by working at a firework stand, so it was just me and the kids.

I usually don't relish going anywhere with just me and SIX children---but I am starting to find out that if the place we are going will feed my SIX children (and me), then it is totally worth the trouble.


I took these pics at the park after we ate.

Aliyah couldn't help herself when she saw the sand. She just had to get a handful and stick it in her mouth!

Thankfully, the swings kept her in one place for a while.

This is her favorite way to go down the slide. Keep in mind, she does not stop and get in position or even slow down, she just charges forward either trying to walk down the slide or hurling herself forward like this...

Another wonder is Michaela's determination to NOT have a normal face--let alone a smile--in any picture taken of her.

I kept bugging her to smile or at least not make a weird face and finally got this picture....

Later on we went to a friend's house for a BBQ and fireworks. Our friend is actually a State Senator now which is pretty cool. They are a great family and the kids and Dana had a blast setting off their own fireworks.

As for me, I was excited that there were TWO meals that day that I didn't have to prepare or clean-up after! I was glad to finally get home and put Aliyah to bed--a whole day of chasing that girl around is exhausting!