Independence Day Eve

We began our Independence day weekend festivities by attending our local fireworks show just after dark on Friday. Emma never meets a stranger and enjoyed running around with a group of kiddos. Earlier in the week I had picked up a big tub of glow sticks for $1. I had a feeling they would come in handy :) I put together a few bracelets and a necklace for Emma and asked if she wanted to share with her new friends. She took the idea and ran with it! She eagerly gave one to each of her new friends and it was so much fun to see them have fun as the sun went down. Before the show started, a few of her little friends came over one by one asking for an additional stick. Sweet Emma was so selfless and gave to her new friends without considering otherwise. I had such a proud moment as a parent watching her practice kind acts toward others. Sometimes it's so easy to not share when you are 3 1/2 years old ;)

As excited as Emma was about fireworks, she was definitely not a fan once they started. She seemed to like them last year so I'm not sure what happened! She ended up falling asleep
on her daddy's shoulder before the show had concluded. Owen was the one I worried about fussing about the fireworks but to my complete surprise he just sat in his carrier and watched the whole time. It's amazing to already see the similarities and differences in the kids :)

This morning we woke up and bright and early to travel to the annual Bell county parade. It has been a tradition in my family and the only year I remember missing was the Summer I spent in Spain. It rained right before and right after the parade and we got lucky!

After the parade we enjoyed lunch at my parents' house. Jarrod's cousin Kirsten and her son Zachary spent some time with us this weekend. My grandmother "Memaw" is in town visiting from west Texas.

Four generations:

Tomorrow after church we are headed to the Arlington area for long overdue visit with good friends. I also look forward to some shopping :) It will be our final family getaway before football season is upon us......