4th Festivities

We didn't used to do much in the way of July 4th celebrations, but the addition of several kids and one very luxurious swimming pool have a tendency to change things for the better. The food was delicious, the water fantastic, and the fireworks...well, they were fireworks, but I did enjoy a color commentary from Thing 1, who took in the entire show on my lap: "Look Mernith, a green one! There's a red one! A purple one! Where the blue one go?"

When's the next holiday? I wouldn't mind doing this all over again.

Todd and I started the morning in true patriotic style with red, white and blue pancakes. The white chocolate chips, blueberries, and drizzle of strawberry syrup were completely delicious, but unfortunately, I can't take a bit of the credit. The entire thing was Todd's doing, from the list of ingredients to the perfect execution. He's the pancake man around here, for sure. :)

Thing 1 helped me showcase my mini strawberry-raspberry pies, and I'm so proud of how still he stood while I took this! He got to eat it afterwards, naturally :)  The pies aren't difficult to make, but they are extremely involved. You have to decide if the taste is worth the time. 

It will be a few years before "group" pictures are easy, but for now they are really, really cute. :) 

As she is thus far the only little princess in the family, we all take every occasion to see that she looks the part. From the star-spangled skirt to the oversized bow, Thingette is 100% girl! 

The dinner menu was superb! Chicken salad, watermelon, spinach salad with nuts and craisins, and blue-raspberry jigglers! I think I had about 5 of these...

Thing 2 at the fireworks, practicing his "smile." We're still working on it. :)