Since the weather was typical for a 4th of July in Iowa, we followed suit by fitting in as many typical 4th of July activities as possible. Some swimming at Grandpa John's. Some super sweet corn. Some campfire 'smores. Some sparklers and fireworks.
Jake is at an age where he enjoyed everything about the festivities. He even told me that the loud fireworks were his favorite. Jenna enjoyed having her whole family together and spent a lot of time trying to figure out what all was happening. She wasn't really scared of the fireworks just confused. Once I explained how pretty they are, she clapped enthusiastically. She loves swimming (so long as she doesn't get splashed). She did not care for the sweet corn.
We adventured out to enjoy small town fireworks. We camped out at the perfect spot on top of a hill and waited for the dark to set-in. In the meantime, we enjoyed a make-shift picnic and the company of each other. Just as it started to get dark, the kids could no longer run around since the terrain wasn't level. Jenna was getting tired and restless. I couldn't hold onto her any longer, so Grandpa John lifted her onto his shoulders and went for a walk. He returned a few minutes later and Jenna was sound asleep on his shoulders. She fell sound asleep five minutes before the fireworks started.
Jake was antsy with anticipation. It was difficult to keep him in his chair. At one point he was crouched down in front of his chair. I hollered at him to sit and his response was "Mom, there are chickens under my chair and I have to feed them!" He has quite an imagination. Then about halfway through the show, he leaned over to me and whispered "Mom, my chickens are hungry again."
Pictoral evidence of all of the fun we had.
