July 4th

Colorado Springs has lots of places that set off fireworks on the 4th of July. We missed watching them last year because Greyson spiked a fever, keeping us home. (Spoiler alert - similar situation occurred this year). 

Even though there's lots of places to go, they're super crowded & require sometimes miles worth of walking just from where parking is available. 

Kids + extra walking + huge crowds = not for us! 

Every year, Fort Carson does their 4th of July event on the 3rd. I had been itching to have a BBQ all summer so my boss offered to host at her house. The girls I work with & our families all headed over & had a fun little potluck BBQ. We hung out, the kids played with chalk & bubbles, & we ate (of course!) 

Then we walked to the event on base since it was close to her house. Kids played in the bouncy houses a bit before they decided to kick 2-4 year olds out because there were too many. So some in the group grabbed treats & we headed back to find a spot to watch fireworks. 

Greyson loves my boss' son & finally warmed up to my boss, after months of breakdowns because he said Hi to him.  He also was obsessed with the stuffed alien her son won & carried him back, after naming him Aneen! His imagination is a wild one! 

Olivia was chill her first 4th. She was admired & passed around a lot. She mostly just hung out since she's really too young to partake in much of the fun . 

Fireworks are infinitely better when watched through your kids' eyes. I have Grey a light stick that was like gold to him. And the amazement on his face with each flash & boom. #swoon 

Olivia slept in the carrier of course, just like Greyson slept through his first 4th of July fireworks. 

And in typical Greyson + holiday fashion he ended up with bacterial conjunctivitis. We spent our 4th of July in urgent care before we came home to hangout, play with chalk, & cherish the joy of putting eye ointment on our 3 year old. 

Happy Independence Day!!