Independence Day

Dear Abigail,

To wrap up your week at Mimi's, Mommy and Daddy drove in to pick you up and stayed a couple days. A lot of that had to do with the fact that it was Fourth of July weekend - okay, all of it did. We came in on Sunday and man alive were you super excited to see me, I mean, us. Before we were even parked in the driveway, you were running out that front door! Mommy was super excited to see you, too, and almost forgot to put the car in park!

That afternoon, we all went to Pic-pic's aunt's house (or some relative...) and had a little celebration, being the fourth and all. Mimi of course made us have a little photo session prior to getting in the car...

Of course, Emily couldn't resist a photo opportunity and insisted she take a few model shots, just to have around, cause you never know who's looking, of course...

At Pic-pic's family party, you and Em did some swimmin' while the rest of the crew did some eatin'!

And you got a bite or 2 in your self, but Emily gave me a small heart attack when I noticed she had a bowl full of fruit DIP but no fruit and was just eating it by the spoonful. I'm pretty sure I didn't make her too happy when I told on her but man alive, that was a LOT of sugar!!!!

On Monday, the 4th itself, we gathered our gear up pretty early and headed down to Mammaws for a day at the pool. Aunt G and Uncle Bub and the gang joined us along with your BFF and Daddy grilled some delicious hamburgers out.

We did a whole lot of swimming down at Mammaws, but later that day, we gathered up all our stuff yet again and headed back to Mimis for the big fireworks celebration. Now, I may have mentioned this before, but just in case, I'll explain again. Mimi has her own personal firework show, right in her driveway. Okay, fine, that's not entirely true, but we all like to think that, and well, we practically can, but a lot of it IS true. See, the city of Munford has a pretty nice firework show and it literally takes place in the park right behind Mimi's house. So as long as you are anywhere near Mimi's house, you can see the fireworks perfectly!!! Every year tons and tons of people come over to watch them (not to mention the million that gather at the church right beside her house - fine, not millions, but I bet thousands for sure :) And this year was no different. Everyone brought drinks and chairs and we had some yummy food to share. Now, I have mentioned a time or 2 about your sensitive ears, right? How the least little bit of a loud noise makes you bring your hands to cover your ear, right? It's not normal, I have no doubt, but we deal with it. And so I was prepared to deal with the loud LOUD noises of aforementioned fireworks. I had already talked to Pic-pic about getting his fancy headphones he uses for race car driving (or maybe it was shooting a gun - either way, they were good headphones/noise coveruppers). What I hadn't prepared for was an early 'testing' of the fireworks. We were all gathered outside, people still pulling up, sun still shining, everyone having a good ole time socializing, when all of a sudden BOOOOOM. Yeah, I firework went off. We still have no idea why they needed to 'test' one, or even if that's what they were truly doing, but nonetheless, it sent you into a frantic...

Here's pre "testing of firework":

And here's after....

We knew it wasn't any where close to the time when the fireworks should start, as it was clearly still daylight outside, but try explaining that to a noise sensitive 2 year old. You refused to remove your hands from your ears and just whined the whole time. Pic-pic was immediately sent looking for those headphones and returned soon enough, to which you became a much happier camper, and therefore, we all became happier campers (for the time being, at least...).

You and your BFF were even having some fun, despite the massive headphones that were NOT allowed to leave your head!

This just makes me want to sing "God Bless America"!!!!!

Eventually, you noticed that indeed the fireworks were not going off for awhile, but you were still hesitant about removing those headphones. And, it didn't help that Jack was begging me that it was his turn to wear them. So I convinced you to take them off, only by saying it was someone else's turn and that they would be returned to you shortly. You were then forced to have fun with the 200 kiddos running around, although I'm pretty sure you didn't - strictly based on the pictures and the pictures alone :)

Everyone else was having a grand ole time...

But not you darlin'. You just couldn't get your mind off that loud noise that happened an hour ago...

Finally, you were given the headphones back because I was certain you'd never forgive me if that loud noise occurred again without them, but I still don't think you enjoyed yourself. You were steadily watching, waiting, anticipating that dreadful noise....

Even Mimi couldn't get your mind off it, and man alive did she try...

Soon enough, the fireworks started, and, as expected you FREAKED! You just could not get over the noise to even look up at the sky. You insisted that you go inside (even though it wasn't much quieter there) and while we took turns with you inside, eventually you requested to watch a movie in Mimi's bed - DONE. Anything to get you calmed down (not to mention it was WAY past your bedtime!). Here's our last shot of you, before you entered the house, that is... See, so not happy!

Everyone else enjoyed the show from the outside, including John Michael, who didn't flinch! I also love it how Em and her friend are watching from the Jeep!

The fireworks ended and we immediately put you to bed and it wasn't too much longer afterwards that we drifted that way too. You still talk about those fireworks and how "there are no more fireworks at Mimi's house". Your teachers even sent the following message on your daily report: "Abigail continues to talk about fireworks, but only with fear in her eyes." They have NO clue about what went on, but clearly caught on to it! Maybe a year will change your mind - maybe not. Either way, we'll continue to have fun Fourth of Julys!!!!

Love you and glad your back home with us!!