And a happy 4th it was.

When Matt approached me about the idea of taking the kids to see fireworks on Friday night, I immediately declined. "Nope," I said adamantly, "We're going to the lake house in the morning, and they'll just be exhausted and grumpy all day from staying up too late the night before." Because that's me: always planning, always thinking ahead, always considering all possible scenarios. And Matt? I'm sure his thought process was something more like: The kids will enjoy the fireworks. Let's take them. And because I'm attempting to stifle my Type A just a little bit, I eventually agreed we'd take them.

By 8:30, we were set up on a blanket, with snacks and drinks, and a small DVD player featuring Peppa Pig (because it was either watch Peppa or chase Macey around until the fireworks started). When 9:30 rolled around and the fireworks still hadn't begun, I began to get antsy. Macey had reached that overtired stage of delirium; she wasn't fussy or grumpy, but she was doing things like rolling around the blanket and chewing on the side of my face. Camden had asked about 9,000 times when the fireworks were going to start. Frustrated, I started packing us up to leave. Of course, just as I stood and started to fold our blanket, the show began. At 9:40 (who starts fireworks that late?!).

And let me tell you: it was worth every minute of that humid, mosquito-filled wait with overtired kids. We knew Camden loved fireworks; Macey was too young last year to really have an opinion. This year? Her reaction was absolutely priceless. Matt and I smiled at each other over her tiny head as she said, "Wow!" after every single colorful firework filled the night sky. She was amazed.

 Waiting on the show.

Loving on daddy.

 

If you listen carefully, you can hear her quiet wows and Camden's commentary in the background.

 

The kids were in bed at 10:30 on Friday night which is 2 hours past their normal bedtime. On Saturday morning, we headed out to my parents' lake house, with two tired kids rubbing their eyes in the back seat.

Thankfully, when we arrived, both seemed to find a second wind. The lake will do that to you. So will seeing your grandparents.

My parents got a really neat remote control shark car that can drive on land and in the water. Camden was completely obsessed.

Camden's first kayak ride.

 

My boys doing some fishing.

 

I love this picture. Macey woke from her nap while we were all outside, so Matt went to get her. He took her back to the living room and placed her on his chest and she fell right back to sleep- something she hasn't done since she was an infant.

Time for some sparklers! The observant folks might've noticed that Camden's missing his shorts. A four year old with a remote control shark car that drives in water= frequent wet clothes.

 

Macey waiting to get on the boat to watch the fireworks. She's very nervous about the boat initially but gets comfortable after a few minutes.

 

See? A little unsure about this whole boat business.

 

This one, however, has no reservations about the boat. He loved getting to watch fireworks from the water.

 

 Nothing quite like floating in the middle of a lake at night to watch fireworks. This time, Macey said, "Wooo!" and "Pretty!" after every single one.

 

 

So, it's Sunday night now, and we do have exhausted children-- one who is currently fighting sleep in her crib. Their schedules are all off, I'm backed up on laundry, and we all could use a good night's sleep. But I'm so glad Matt's 'seize the moment' won out over my 'let's meticulously plan everything'. This time, anyway.

 

It was a happy Fourth.