Independence Day

I love holidays. Mostly because it means Craig will be home from work, but also because we usually get to eat something yummy and do something fun. The 4th of July is no exception. We ate, we went to the theater and watched the newest Madagascar, and set off some fireworks. Who doesn't love a holiday where you get to blow things up?

These are just cute pictures of the kids in the new outfits Nana bought them.

Funny story: Kate was listening to Water Music by Handel and Vash walks in. "What you doing, Tatie?"

"I'm listening to Water Music."

"Water Music?"

"Yes, by Handel."

"Handle? No no no no no. (Shakes head.)No Handle. Screw driver."

Another: Vash was throwing a temper tantrum and Craig was trying to restrain him. I came in and they're both lying on the floor, while Vash is sobbing. I reach down and pick him up, asking "Hey, what's going on?"

"Vash's mean to daddy and daddy grab Vash and daddy Squeeeeeeeeze Vash," he says while stiffening his body, shaking, and squeezing his hands into fist. Hilarious. Wish I could have caught it on camera.

Rhyla says lots of Bee words now. 

Baby, book, bellee (Believe, it's a book title she likes to read), and the cutest, Beez! She throws her arms down to her sides and shouts it, accentuating the "Z". 

Now for a short, Disney Princess comparison. My daughter looks like Snow White, reads as voraciously as Belle, and sits by the fire place like Cinderella. Just something I noticed and wanted to remember for later.

Vash was super excited when he woke up and Papa had decorated the house for the occasion.

Papa said it made his day to hear Vash oohing and awing and saying "So pretty Papa!"

A rare picture of me. Ha. Rhyla and I are rocking the piggy tails.

Vash wanted to light the fire works but obviously that wasn't going to happen. (Hence the glare.)

Yey! We love America! Let us show it with fire, sparks, and hot dogs! No really, we love it. Just have a funny way of showing it.

Rhyla wasn't sure if she liked them or not. Vash would smile but moan, while Rhyla would alternate between crying or staring hesitantly. 

Just like these pictures. Oh, and I didn't get a picture of them but I made cake balls! I tried to make a raspberry layer cake with chocolate frosting but it literally fell to pieces. So Kate said to turn them into balls and dip them into chocolate. For starting out as a mistake, they ended up tasting really good. Reminded me of the raspberry truffles from Sees. 

As for the rest of the week, it was pretty normal. Went to the mall and played. 

Rhyla loves Perry and asks to wear this shirt almost every day. Vash's current favorites are his rocket and train shirts.

Would you believe we got three free rides on this carousel? The kids were just happy to sit on it and play, but people kept coming up and putting money in for us. Oh, they had a kid that wanted to ride too, but when I offered to give them any change I had, they all turned it down. I even offered to take the kids off and everyone just shook their heads and said not to worry about it. If that isn't a sign that deep down we all have the capacity to do and be good, I don't know what is. 

Looking cute for church. Isn't he getting big?

Can't see them, but she's wearing the most adorable Minnie Mouse pink glitter shoes. She's getting big too... Can I put an order in to the stork now?