4th of July!

The exhausting, record breaking, triple-digit heat across the south east continued through our 4th this year.  I know it's supposed to be hot on the 4th, but this was ridiculous.  Needless to say, we spent most  of the day in the nice cool house.  The day before, however, the kids and I went to the Children's Museum not realizing they were having a 4th of July celebration.  They had a DJ, beaded necklaces, flags, lots of games and hotdogs and popcorn for lunch.  They even did a special showing in their planetarium, just for E - he was in heaven!  It was a very exciting afternoon for the kids and I (it was Dr. M's first week of summer school).  After a relaxing day at home, we had friends over for a quick summer dinner (BLT's!) and then we packed up all the kids (they have two also) and headed to the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater  for all sorts of fun.  They had a children's zone with bounce-houses, snow cones, balloons, climbing walls, food trucks and all sorts of games.  Eventually, we made our way in to the amphitheater to hear the symphony play and a former Miss America sing patriotic melodies as the kids ran around the concession area chasing each other and playing with the glow-bracelets we brought.  They had a blast...until the big fireworks began.  This was the first time E (or H) had ever seen/heard fireworks like this.  The loud noise frightened them at first, but then they began to enjoy it.  E thought they were "going to get us" but loved them at the same time and couldn't take his eyes off of them.  It was a late night, but such fun, memorable family time together.