The 4th

Every year for the 4th, the kids and I head up to my parent's house.  They have a great neighborhood fireworks show.  The bonus is that we don't even need to leave their house!  We can give the kids baths, and walk outside right before the show starts.  No mess, no traffic, no sweat!  It is awesome!

Plus, we get to hang out at their house all day and swim and relax.  The kids were complete fish this year.  I could not believe that Critter started the summer not knowing how to swim and ended it being able to almost swim across their pool by himself.  Plus, Pumpkin was scared to dive at the beginning of the summer....not so much at the end!

This was the weekend we were trying to get her to actually jump and opposed to just lean in for the dive.  It worked pretty well!

 The joke for the summer started the first time we swam at the beginning.  Critter said he was going to "cool off" by laying on the side of the pool.  Now, when it is 100 out of the pool...."cooling off" isn't outside the water.  So, the rest of the summer the joke was he would sit on the side to "cool off". 

 Even more progress with diving!  You can really see that she jumped off on this one.  Once she decides she wants to do something, she will put all her effort to it.  The hard part is getting HER to want to do it! :)

 Not much better than a 3D movie at Nanny and Papa's house!  Even though only 2 of the 4 glasses were working.  Have you ever tried to watch a 3D movie without the glasses....it is a little funky.  The kids loved it though

Did you know the best way to dress for yard work is with a bathing suit, tall socks and sneakers?  It is the latest style :)

 The best part of the fireworks at my parents house....sitting outside and seeing them!  Waiting only a few minutes in the heat is awesome!  One of these years we will battle the crowd somewhere, but for now this is the best.  Especially since Hubby usually works, I am not battling the craziness by myself with the two kids!

Plus, I have established the tradition of bringing by tripod up there and getting firework pictures every year.  Each year I try to improve my skills and get great pictures.  It is so much fun to see what I end up getting

It is amazing how much entertainment two light up rings can bring!  These were the entertainment before the fireworks started and the next day.  

It was a super fun time, as always! It seems like the 4th is always one of my favorite holidays.  It is about the simple things in life and celebrating wonderful times.