4th of July Weekend

We camped out in our backyard this weekend! I wasn't sure I wanted to try camping with two little ones far away and besides, we were too late to book a spot anyway. So we set up the tent out in the yard back near the woods. Hadlee settled right into this experience.To make up for the fact that Grady wouldn't take Maddox for a ride on his tricycle earlier in the day I told Maddox that Daddy would take her for a ride on the big bike when he got home. They rode for about 25 minutes around the neighborhood and she loved it! She kept saying "Faster Daddy, Faster!"

Then it was time to blow up the air mattress for the old folks. Or just blow Maddox in the face.

10 O'clock, time for bed! Hadlee slept in her basinette beside me all bundled up and Maddox slept in her sleeping bag beside Jeremy. It was cold the first two nights! In the 50s. Jeremy thought he could sleep with just a sheet but he was freezing and Jessi who's always cold when we camp cuddled up to him on the mattress. We all even wore our winter pj's with socks.

Saturday morning we went to Kernersville for the parade. Maddox waved at everyone and collected lots of candy. Anyone need some? She's still asking to go to another parade.

After coming home for naps we loaded back up and drove to Burlington for their July 4th celebration. It was at a park that has little amusement rides for really cheap, they had bounce toys, hours of good live music to dance to, and then fireworks with a little orchestra accompaniment. Maddox loved the rides, enough to ride them twice: the 100 year old carousel, the planes, the boats, the cars, and a train ride. She even went on them by herself and was not afraid! I was a little surprised by that.

And poor Hadlee just hung out in the stroller.

Getting ready to watch some fireworks.

On Sunday we went to church where they had the 4th of July musical. It was really good! Sunday night we stayed home and set off our own fireworks in the street. In NC all you can legally buy are fountains but that was enough for a 2 year old. We also threw some poppers and had sparklers which she keeps asking for. We stayed up late again watching fireworks in NY and Boston on tv. After 3 late nights Maddox was VERY tired the last night. She slept in until almost 9am in the tent.

We had a great 4th of July and loved showing Maddox all the 4th of July traditions. Maybe next year Hadlee can appreciate it too. And now that we know both kids do very well in the tent 3 nights in a row we can actually go camping sometime!