This was perhaps our loveliest and most memorable 4th of July weekend yet. I am forever grateful for the weekends that make coming to work on Monday Tuesday so difficult. For the sake of documentation, a few highlights!
Husband and I enjoyed a morning hike on Friday to kick things off, and then headed to the pediatrician with our very big girl. After a thorough exam that featured a full eye and ear check (adorable, btw!), she was declared the picture of health and then showed everyone in the building the power of her lungs as her four year old vaccinations were administered. Not to worry, two seconds and one lollipop later, she was good to go. We remain grateful as ever for those uneventful doctor visits. We snuck off after that for a bit of alone time, enjoying a kid-free afternoon before the weekend mania set in.
Saturday was beach day, and we took our crew to Manhattan Beach for a lovely brunch and a few hours spent building sandcastles and jumping in the waves, fists fully grasped around Mama's wrists the entire time. We turned bitter lemons [Daddy's car wouldn't start!] into lemonade [we got gelato while we waiting for the mechanic!] before heading home for dinner, bath and bed. Sandy, dirty, sweaty kids quickly transformed into lotion-scented angels - perfect!
Sunday was close enough to the official holiday to warrant fully festive, coordinated outfits for our family walk and run to the farmers market before we headed to Aunt Trish's to spend the balance of the day eating, drinking and swimming with family of all stripes. Such a lovely afternoon!
Yesterday was the perfect end to our perfect weekend: we spent the entirety of it with friends from R's school at their parents' home. There was swimming and jacuzzi'ing and tons of food and drink and playtime and conversation and of course, adorable kids in festive attire enjoying each other's company.
(fatigue setting in!)
Oh, and s'mores! We must document our very first s'mores experience!
("no THANK YOU!" he said when offered a s'more. I don't even know, kid!)
A busy week awaits, but I am thankful for my little family and our extended family and the moments we get to come together to celebrate. And most importantly, I'm grateful to the men and women of the military (and their families) for their bravery and their sacrifice. As I reflect on our sun-drenched and perfectly privileged weekend, I am more aware than ever that our freedom is not free.
America, you really are beautiful.
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