Freedom Days

We added some sweet moments to our collection of Fourth of July memories this year.  Lucy and Spencer were in charge of choosing the line up of events, and while my heart missed a few of our more traditional activities (balloons, parade), I loved watching them try out some new venues.

The Colonial Fest on July 3rd was a big hit.  I admit that before leaving, I thought: it will be hot and miserable and we won't stay very long.  But I was wrong!  

It was hot!  But shady too, and so much fun!  

We had to reach deep into the recesses of our summer brains to remember some of the history we learned in school last year.

"The Pilgrims boarded the Mayflower September 1620

They sailed to America they wanted to be free

To choose their own religion, freedom from England't king..."

"Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive

Who remembers that famous day and year..."

But it was so much fun reminiscing about school that we couldn't help sitting in for a little sample of colonial education.  

 

Our colonial school experience lasted about ten minutes and ended with a lemon drop, so of course the kids have been clamoring for permanent enrollment ;)

And Lucy has been additionally clamoring for ways to earn money so she can buy a quill calligraphy set at next year's event.  

Before leaving, we ran into a dear friend,

and heard the cannon fire.

It was a generally wonderful, educational time.  

(I loved that his initial delight was followed so quickly by "Wait, get me out of here.")

After the Colonial Fest, we headed for Jamba Juice and the shade of our old backyard.

We'd brought along a gift from our friends the Elmers...

...the contents of which turned our afternoon at the park into one of the true highlights of this year's Fourth.

Lucy and Spencer read for an hour at least,

And I took pictures pretty much that entire time ;)

All the while blinking back tears of love for them,

and for their daddy, and for such sweet thoughtful friends.

And...after our afternoon in Provo, we got to meet our very newest little friend, Otis, for the very first time.

More blinking back of tears ;)

That night we stayed at a friend's house in Bountiful.  They were out of town and we were there to take care of their dog.  So before bed, I asked Lucy and Spencer to take Buck outside one last time while I brushed my teeth.  After a minute or two Spencer came tearing into the bathroom demanding that I come right away!!!!  Worried that something had happened to the dog, I dashed out after him, only to see Spencer hop on the trampoline.  "When you jump high enough, you can see some fireworks!"  he told me breathlessly.

So we jumped and watched and laughed together.

And when we were worn out, we knelt down and had our family prayer on top of the tramp.  And that was one of the sweetest moments of forever to me.

We spent most of the actual 4th at Grandpa's...

Marco Polo-ing.

And chicken fighting.

But we drove to Provo in the evening.

To watch Stadium of Fire in the usual favorite spot with the usual favorite friends.

The 5th was a rain, and family, and mini cherry pies kind of day.

Which, turns out, is a really good kind of day.  So grateful for these two.  Looking forward to more Fourth of Julys and more cherry pies together.