America, the Beautiful

One of our favorite yearly traditions--the Symphony and fireworks in Kannapolis.

We met up with our friends for a picnic and train ride before the music started.

This is Peanut's smile, pretty much always these days, if we ask for him to smile. I miss his eyes. ;)

This year was probably the coolest it has ever been. We've had years where we melted while we waited for the sun to set, but the cloud cover really helped, and made for some awesome looking skies.

Lots of good hang out time with friends.

And goofy picture taking time while we waited.

Love these kids of mine.

They can smile with the best of them.

Peanut was loving the Daddy time.

Almost sunset, and the clouds were clearing out for the upcoming fireworks.

Glo-sticks are a big part of why the kids love the symphony. There's a reason why we do outdoor concerts :)

Peanut getting decked out.

Perfect for dancing.

The firework show was as good as it always is. And Peanut reacted as he always does. It was Daddy-o's turn to take him to hide when the freak-out began. Poor kid has PTSD or something when it comes to the loud sounds. He woke up twice during the night screaming about the fireworks not coming to get him. The funny part is that the next day, he kept saying how much he liked them. He wants to think it is fun, but it's too loud for him.

In Summer

We go to baseball games at the new Knights stadium with the skyline in the background.

 And we enjoy these sweet moments.

 We go to $1 movies and play at the splash pad afterwards.

Some of the kids like it better than others.

We have a picnic

with friends,

and glow sticks,

We listen to the Charlotte Symphony

 and watch the fireworks.  (Once again, some kids like it better than others.  Poor Peanut kept asking, "And the fireworks won't get me?  The fireworks can't come into our house?"  Until 12:45 a.m.)

We also have evenings in the 90's with 90% humidity and it feels so hot and sticky that you feel like you might actually melt if you don't find a fan or air conditioning soon.

As uncomfortable as those evenings are, I kind of like them.  They remind me of my first moments in Charlotte.  We arrived June 1, and compared to the 2 weeks of beautiful spring we'd just spent in CA, and the still winter-like temps and snow we'd left in UT the month before, it was insanely hot.

We stepped out of the airport around midnight and were suddenly plunged into summer in the south.  It was hot.  It was sticky.  But it reminded me of traveling in Hawaii and the Caribbean, so it made me happy.  And 6 years later, it still does.  When I go out at 11 p.m. to take Molly to do her bedtime business and the cicadas and crickets are so loud that you can't hear a normal conversation, and the air feels thick, and I start sweating instantly, I feel like I'm on a tropical island and for a moment,

I'm on vacation.

America, The Beautiful

 Saturday night, we met up with friends for the annual Independence Day symphony and fireworks show.  We love this tradition and are so glad to have friends to share it with.

It ended up being a beautiful evening, altough still a little warm and sticky, especially for our dry, dessert dwelling guests.

A little pre-show game of Hangman.

Lots of fun for all the kids.

Nothing better than glow sticks!

Maybe a little too much fun and excitement for some of them.

Watching the show from Daddy-o's legs.

 Then, on Monday, we went up to the outdoor mall where they have a bike parade for the kids each year.  Honestly, it wasn't really worth it this year--big crowds, hot, muggy weather, tired kids and a new baby just don't make for the greatest outing.

 But Bugaboo did have fun riding his big bike.  Two years ago, he made the loop on a tricycle, which was a lot more work.

 Peanut was unimpressed by the whole thing.

 He actually spent most of the morning sleeping in the sling.  Bean probably could have used a good nap, too, judging by the bike parade, but she did perk up and enjoy the waterfight the firefighters do each year.

 Bug was pretty enthralled, too.  He kept wandering out into the middle of the area--notice that most of the kids are staying back at a safe distance while he just stands there, staring at the firefighters.

 They loved getting cooled off a little.

And finally, we ended the day with friends coming over for a cookout (I've had to get used to the terminology here in the south--BBQ has to be pork, not burgers and hotdogs).  The kids had a great time, even though it was too hot to head outside for any of the backyard fun we'd hoped to have.

Finally got the two little guys to smile

 And last of all, Daddy-o's peach pie with homemade ice cream courtesy of Uncle D.  Dessert is always my favorite part of a holiday.

Happy 4th!!!

Salute to America

This is the second time that we've been able to hear a symphony play their patriotic summer concert. We love it--great music, good atmosphere for the kids, perfect excuse for a picnic dinner, and the firework show afterwards was really good this year! Two years ago, we didn't get to enjoy that part quite as much since Bean was terrified and I was trying to keep Bugaboo asleep through the whole thing.

Watching the clouds while we waited for the music,

and goofing around. These two kids are so silly.

And our friends who met us there. The kids were reaching for the t-shirts they were throwing to the crowd. Too bad we were near the back.

And finally, its kind of crazy that these are in my kid's head. They pretty much look like normal paper staples.