Bang Snaps

I must say I am not the best mom when it comes to holidays...I'm the mom running out the day before to try to find a festive outfit for the munch, then give up and put her in something that she already has. I don't bother with holiday headbands or bows because Tenley will just rip them out. I'll admit it, I'm pretty lazy when it comes to holidays (except Thanksgiving and Christmas).

We planned on going to the Summerlin Independence Day Parade again this year, but I wasn't looking forward to it due to the crazy heat wave that we've been enduring in Vegas. Since we were all being lazy bums on the 4th and slept in until 9am, we ditched the parade and I decided to try to make homemade blueberry pancakes for the first time and they were ah-mazing:

After our yummy breakfast we got dressed for the rest of the day:

We went to The Venturinos so we could snuggle their newest addition- Alena May. She cuddled so sweetly in our arms. Tenley wasn't very interested with her at first, but got really interested when Daddy rocked Alena to sleep. Alena's big sister, Sofia, was beaming with joy around the newest munchkin:

 When we got home, Tenley cooled off with a popsicle:

We headed outside for fireworks and Tenley liked watching the smoke bombs, sparklers, and snakes:

 She didn't like the loud fireworks so she decided to cruise around in her car:

We gave the kids down the street all of the loud fireworks we had and continued lighting our small ones. T's absolute favorite were the Bang Snaps. She loved to throw them and step on them:

Poor baby was so excited at one point that she ran off the curb and face planted on the pavement. Her forehead instantly goosed up. She calmed down after some cuddles from momma: 

Since she wasn't too into the loud fireworks this year, we walked down the street and watched the Mission Hills Park fireworks from a distance. Tenley still had fun watching them, even though we could hardly hear them. She eventually laid on the ground and took pictures of the fireworks:

We tried getting a picture of the three of us watching the fireworks, but someone always seemed to close their eyes:

(Notice the goose egg on T's forehead?)

Although we didn't go to the parade, wear new patriotic clothes, watch fireworks close-up, or do much of anything, really. We enjoyed spending the day together and after all, that is what is most important. 

We thank all of those who keep America safe and defend our freedom. We hope everyone had a great 4th of July! 

Happy Independence Day!!