Fourth of July

I love Fourth of July. It is bittersweet, because I know that means the end of summer and school are just around the corner. But no matter- I just love it. I love the fireworks, I love the memories, I love the smells, and I love the meaning behind it. I am NOT a history lover by any means, but I am rather patriotic when it comes to hearing stories about people fighting for what they believe in.

As I said before, everything is a new adventure to Sawyer at this age. July 4th was no exception. Daddy went fishing, so Sawyer and I headed to the parade by ourselves. I was lying on the couch, not really having any interest in going, and about fifteen minutes before it started I realized that Sawyer would enjoy it, and I will have hundreds of times to lie on the couch in my lifetime, and hundreds of opportunities to intentionally choose experiences for my son over comfort or ease. So we got up, got ready super-fast, and went to the parade. 

Thankfully, we sat right near a gravel spot in the pavement... rocks were our distractions while waiting for the parade to start. Isn't he so cute with his hat on backwards? We wear a hat everywhere.

He got the hang of picking up candy ASAP. Although, he could only have the tootsie rolls, which are now his treats for trying to go to the bathroom like a big kid.

Obviously we have tractors in our parade... it's the Midwest.

Trying to capture a picture with this wiggly boy was almost pointless. That is why you get a close-up of my palm.

Cute little baby! I wish he'd pick up his toys this fast!

 That night, we went to Rossville to watch fireworks with our friends Ethan and Bethany. We wanted a small-town experience for Sawyer's first time, and since our town doesn't do them, we headed North. Sawyer was SUPER STILL the entire time. He was confused, I think, not scared. He didn't cry, but he also didn't point or get excited either. He had every right to be confused- we got him a bath, got him ready for bed, then put him in the car instead, to drive twenty minutes to sit in a park and watch the sky explode. Loudly. I'm sure next year will be even more fun!

 <3 my family! (and my country for that matter)