Independence Day

Dear Eleanor,

Last weekend was the 4th of July holiday and I was so looking forward to spending this holiday together with you and daddy. I love the 4th of July - don't ask me why, I just LOVE this holiday. Parades, fireworks, family picnics, I love it all. So I made plans for a fun-filled day! We started out going to a parade at 1:00 in Apple Valley. It was hot, and very humid so although the parade was fun and you were enjoying yourself we didn't stay for the whole thing. We found a spot to sit in the grass and you were so happy to just walk around. When the parade started you sat up on daddy's shoulder to see everything. You were pointing at the floats and horses and clapped along with the crowd for the marching bands that went by. We decided to leave the parade and go get some lunch at Red Robin. You sat in the high chair and happily ate pieces of watermelon and french fries as well as sharing my vanilla malt with me. The waitress gave you a kids menu and crayons so we showed you how to use the crayons and you had fun coloring on the menu.
After a nap, later that evening we all went to Mystic Lake Casino for a free Oak Ridge Boys concert (I hope you will enjoy the music of the Mighty Oaks as much as I do) and fireworks. We found a spot to sit and you were happy to sit in your stroller and listen to the music. You would shimmy in your stroller every now and then when the music moved you and clapped along with the crowd. After the concert ended at about 10 p.m. the fireworks began. You stayed awake and enjoyed your first fireworks show. You weren't scared at all of the booms, you pointed at the fireworks in the sky and giggled every now and then. It was so fun to watch you experience the 4th of July and your first fireworks display. People at the concert made comments about how good you were throughout the show and how surprised they were that you stayed up for the fireworks. You were a real trooper - and of course fell asleep on the way home. It was a fun filled day. I hope that we have many, many more fun family days this summer filled with new experiences for you.

All my love,

Mommy