Independence Day Weekend
Because our babysitter decided to take a trip to Florida, I decided to take the same week off and enjoy a chance to be a SAHM. Lily and I were able to spend a lot of time outside playing at the park in front of our house and just having fun together. We took a trip to the Willow Park Zoo one day, and even though we'd played at the park already that morning, she was more interested in the slides she could see at Willow Park. So we headed over there after checking out the monkeys and birds.
My week of vacation was capped off with our Independence Day festivities, and we sure kept busy for those couple of days. July 2 was the performance day for Lillian's swimming lessons, so Erik and I actually got to see what she'd been learning. Unlike the lessons we took her too a few months ago, parents weren't allowed to even been seen by the kids let alone get in the pool with them. They learned how to float and kick and blow bubbles, and even go off the diving board (video below)! If they cried when doing the diving board, they had to do it again. At first, I thought that was a little harsh, but after seeing how great she did, I've decided the teacher knows what she's doing.
It was so fun to watch her follow all the directions and actually enjoy being in the water. After our first round of lessons, she was still clinging to me for dear life and would scream bloody murder if her face went under water; what a different experience we had when I took her to the aquatic center last night. It took a little while for her to decide she'd be ok actually playing in the pool and not just sitting on me, but once she got going, she didn't want to leave and even went down the twisty slide. She starts a second session today; she'll be ready for the Olympics in no time, I'm sure.
After Lily's swimming performance, we headed to the park for some good grub and great company before heading to Hyrum City's fireworks. Unfortunately, my camera battery lasted just long enough to get the diving board video, so no pictures from that event . :-(
But I made up for it by taking a ton of fireworks pictures the next night during the display at USU stadium.
During both displays, Lily decided they were too loud and spent most of the show cowering under a blanket with hands over her ears. During the stadium event, she actually fell asleep in the middle, so I guess they couldn't have been that loud. And for the Hyrum ones, she did end up watching the end very sneakily, peeking out over the blanket periodically - until she realized we knew she was watching; then right back under she went.
For the actual 4th holiday, Lily and I headed down to West Jordan to see my Dad, step-Mom, and sister who were in town staying with my Grandma. Even though she's the closest great-grandma for Lillian, they've never actually met, so it was a lot of fun letting her meet some cousins and play with her Aunt Cassandra. We had a BBQ, watched the celebration at the National Mall on TV (wha-hoo, Barry!), and created our own display of sparklers and fountains outside. All in all, a very fun evening.
I have to say, I love the 4th of July. I probably don't ruminate on it nearly as much as I should, but going to events like the one at the stadium always remind me of how grateful I am to live in this country and for the sacrifices that were made so I can have the freedoms I do. I don't even know anyone in military service, and the medley of service songs and seeing those who've served stand up when their song is played always chokes me up. Not to mention the National Anthem, God Bless America, and I'm Proud to Be an American...just my little patriotic self coming out, I guess.
