Happy Birthday America!

It is nearly impossible to get a good picture of Camden, with everyone else, so you get what you get!

The 4th of July is always a big day in the life of our kids. They love it, almost as much as Christmas. Matt took the kids over to the the breakfast in the park. I didn't make it, because it was a last minute decision, and I wasn't ready. Afterwards, we go to the parade, where we sit in the same spot every year. The parade is so fun for the kids. They love spending this holiday with their cousins. They also come home with a haul of salt water taffy.

Some parade excitement!


After the parade, we go to the fireman's barbecue. Matt's brother, Mike is a fireman, and they put on a BBQ for the families every year. They have a firetruck that sprays the kids, and that is definitely the highlight.

Then, in the evening we head to the park, and listen to the symphony, in the amphitheater. When the fireworks are ready to start, they play the 1812 Overture, and the cannons go off. The kids all know what that means, and they start to huddle together on the blankets for the firework show.
Playing with cousins on the blankets, waiting for fireworks.

I thought Camden would be scared by the cannons. He didn't mind them at all. However, when the fireworks started, he was terrified. He didn't cry. He just sat on my lap as still as he could. (This is not a normal occurrence!) We looked at his face, and every time a firework would go off, he would scrunch his whole face up and close his eyes.

Here is a picture of 'the look of terror' I have no idea why it is flipped, even when I correct it, it still stays flipped.

He started saying, "All done- fireworks all done." I asked is he wanted to turn around, and lay his head on my shoulder, and he said yes. He ended up falling asleep that way. (He hasn't fallen asleep in my arms since he was a newborn!) He was so cute... I know he was scared to death, and this is probably mean of me, but I completely enjoyed snuggling with him. It just doesn't happen very often, so it was so nice. He will not stop talking about the fireworks now. He says the same thing almost every time. "Fireworks say BOOM! Fireworks scary. In the sky. My eyes, my eyes!" Then he repeats it again, and again. Oh well, maybe next year he'll enjoy it. :) We had a great day.
Finally, a cute picture of Camden...before the fireworks.

I had to put this one in, because it is a rare thing, to catch this little guy sleeping.