4th of July

4th of July marked Serena's first official holiday. It was Calli's first holiday as a baby as well, but she was just five days old. Serena enjoyed it a bit more, turning three months the day of the celebrations. The day before she rolled from her back to her belly for the first time. She had rolled over on her side a few times before and just in the last few days had really been trying to get all the way over. It seemed to come out of nowhere that it just happened. She did it about three weeks before Calli had rolled. I don't know whether to be thrilled of nervous, as Calli did everything else early, crawling at six months and walking at nine and half months. I am excited for Serena to reach these milestones, but that means I will have two to chase after. Anyway, she had a very exciting Thursday as she also laughed for the first time. She had been doing this breathing when she smiled that sounded like she wanted to laugh, but she hadn't yet. So finally when I was playing with her on the ground I did something funny and she let out a small giggle. It was over too quickly and I found myself wishing I could pocket that and take it with me wherever I go. There is little sounds so precious in this world as your baby's laughter and the first one is so much fun to hear. She has laughed a few times since, but it is always so fleeting and leaves me wanting so much more.

So back to the 4th of July. It was Serena's first and Calli's fourth. That is hard to believe Calli has been on this earth for four of these now. She had a very fun day. We went to some festival/kids parade at a lake/park. It is supposidly "the thing to do" around here for young familes. I was kind of disappointed with the parade. Growing up, my dad used to take my sister and me to a wonderful 4th of July parade every year. We would go extra early to make sure and get good seats on the curb. Then while we waited for the parade to start we walked around looking at all the booths people had set up trying to sell things. We also played in the park closeby. As I got older I started to think the parade was lame and I hated going. But you know what? Now I want to start the same tradition with my kids so one day they can grow up and hate it too.

The parade at this festival was just a small one that all the kids could march in. I was originally going to have Calli just watch the parade as I figured she would enjoy that more. We found a place to stand on the sidelines that was in the shade and I busied myself with making Serena comfortable and happy and when I turned around, Calli had gone with Grandpa to march in the parade. I think she had fun doing that though. It was only about a five minute parade and after it was over we walked around to the other side of the lake to all the festivities they had set up. There was a special kids section with rides and games. Calli of course wanted to go on the rides. Grandpa accompanied her on the first one (a ride similar to the tea cups at Disneyland). After that we tried to go on the bouncey slide but they said she was too short. Funny how she is too short here but in every bounce place across America she can be let in. So we were disappointed, but we pointed her in the direction of the fun house. She ran through there twice and then I decided to play one of the carnival games. I chose the one where you try to pop the balloons with the darts. Well it was $2 a game and you got two darts and had to pop two balloons. I thought I would never be able to do it. I aimed and popped the first balloon! Then of course I was nervous and wanted to pop the next one so bad. Well I did it!! So I got to choose a prize and got a stuffed unicorn for Calli. She carried it around with her for a bit, but like everything else I win for her, it eventually was forgotten about.

We went to check on Serena after that and she was not a happy camper. Although not up to South Texas standards, it was very hot that day still and Serena was not a happy camper. She was very warm and sweaty and I felt just terrible. I had been so wrapped up in Calli's happiness that I hadn't even considered that Serena might not be having the greatest time. We decided to take her back to the car to feed her and let Calli do a few more rides with the grandparents. We ended up finding some shade on our way back under a tree and sat down there to feed her. After eating her bottle and being under the tree with a slight breeze blowing she was much happier and cooler. We still decided to leave after that and go to lunch at a Mexican restaurant downtown.

We all went home after that and we thought about going to see fireworks that night. I had been against going to see any because I didn't want to have the kids out that late and I really didn't want to be on the road with all the drunk drivers sure to be out there. But it was the 4th of July and it just didn't feel right without fireworks. Originally our plans had been to get some fireworks and set them off in the court with the rest of the neighbors, but there was a county ban on them this year, even for us folks outside the San Antonio city limits. So our only options were to go to a show or to a safe area to set them off ourselves. We chose the former. It started to pour rain a few hours before the show would start, but then cleared up and so we decided to brave it. The dark clouds still loomed in the sky so I just prayed the rain would hold off. We went to Lackland Air Force Base and it was very crowded! This event was open to the public and there was just so many people. They also had many kids rides and bouncehouses, but they required tickets to play. The line to purchase tickets was ridiculously long and we would have been waiting no less than an hour. We just decided to get hot dogs and sodas instead and set up a spot on the lawn to wait for the show to start. The girls were extremely well behaved while we were waiting. Serena was content to just lie on the blanket and stretch out her legs and Calli was anxious for the show to start. They started it about twenty minutes late and it was your typical fireworks show, but it was fun nonetheless. We were exhausted by the time we got home as it had been an extremely long day. But it was so fun and these opportunities don't come along often. Before I know it the kids will be grown and taking their own families to fireworks shows so I better enjoy my time while I can.

And here are some pictures from our fun-filled 4th of July. There are a lot so I hope you enjoy!

Calli and Serena on 4th of July morning

Calli helping Mommy brush Serena's hair

Me and my girls

Calli and Serena

Serena just hanging out watching the parade

Grandpa and Calli marching in the parade

Calli got lots of bead necklaces!

On the ride with Grandpa and a new friend she made

Running through the playhouse

Daddy and his girls

Calli wearing Grandma's poncho in case it rained

I think I want to roll over....

Here I go!

Almost there....

Phew, that was hard! Okay Mom, flip me back over so I can do it again!

Calli and Serena waiting for the fireworks to start

Big hugs for sister. I can never resist showing these photos because they are just so sweet!

Mommy and Calli

Calli watching the fireworks. It doesn't look like it, but she actually loved them.

Serena even enjoyed them too