Our 4th of July

Our 4th of July this year was very low-key and relaxed (kind of the theme of our summer, really). We spent the day hanging out around the house. Kevin and Kane spent most of their time on their computers and playing the new Tombraider game on the PS2; I spent most of my day reading a book (which was too good to put down!). We did grab some Mexican food for lunch which was ok, and then back home. In the afternoon Kevin had the great idea of making construction paper flags. So we got the supplies out, set ourselves up at the dining room/craft table and went to work. We focused on making flags from the past (i.e. thirteen stars, thirteen stripes), and as we worked, Kevin told Kane a little about the Revolutionary war. It was a lot of fun. We hung the flags on our front windows and then the boys started on "flags of the future" (i.e. their own ideas of what a future flag might look like). Kane said his flag represents the United Space Federation (I'll post a photo of it later). Kevin's had a space theme as well, but I don't know if he actually named it. I chose to wash the dishes rather than make a future flag, but, as always, it was really nice to watch Kevin and Kane work together. (They have such a great relationship.)

As I washed dishes I saw the bunny in the yard, so we stopped and went outside to watch him for a while. Then we came back in and spent a little more time hanging out until it was time to go watch the fireworks. We got into Decatur around 9:00, and just as we did, the storm rolled in. So, fireworks were a bust, though the lightning was pretty cool to see. We left as the rain started and headed off for the 2nd part of our annual 4th of July tradition -- pancake dinner at IHOP. The place was practically deserted, so we got right in, ordered and had a yummy late dinner of pancakes, bacon and eggs (Kane and Kevin) and a Belgian waffle (me). There's just something so great about eating pancakes and waffles at 10pm. It's that feeling of freedom and being able to CHOOSE to eat pancakes and waffles at 10pm, you know? So, perfect for Independence Day.

All in all, it may not have been the day we would've planned, and we were a little bummed not to have the fireworks, but I think we all ended up happy with how it turned out....spending time together, taking it all moment by moment, and pancakes for dinner. Who could ask for more?