the fourth, fireworks, and firetrucks

Two different days, several different events, but it seems we are carrying out a theme here. I didn't even realize it until I went to share the post. Yesterday was a great 4th of July holiday. On patriotic holidays I always feel privileged to have my own in-house veteran. Makes even the most standard tasks seem patriotic, ya know?

We actually enjoyed a morning and afternoon hanging around the house and doing some chores. Around 2 pm we took the kids swimming and played some elementary marco polo. Most of it involved Dave and I hauling William and Grace around the pool to avoid being caught by their big sister, but it was fun. Our church actually held services outside under a pavilion. We arrived for the picnic part of the gathering around 5:45 and then services started at 6:30. The singing was out of this world. We love it when voices seem to blend perfectly and last night was just one of those times. Our church practices accapella singing for all services and that just seemed even more perfect outdoors. The kids enjoyed playing with everyone and then we drug them away to attend fireworks (Yes, Grace was literally crying to stay with her friends instead of fireworks.) in Roswell. Grace then proceeded to pass out in the car and slept through all the live music. She woke in the midst of the fireworks. The pictures below are from our church gathering. They just finished a new pavilion and playground and it's been a popular place to meet.







We normally go to the Marietta Square for fireworks, but we had a really good experience with the Roswell location last night and may just try it again next year. I had grilled some pork tenderloin with an Alton Brown dry rub on the outside. I had intended the dry rub for some ribs, but all the stores ran out of baby backs around here. I should have thought of that a few weeks ago. We had some killer food anyway so my substitution was a success. What do you cook or grill on Independence Day?

Then, today, we visited a fire station museum near us. It's one of those things you always pass and point out to the kids, but never find the time to visit. The kid enjoyed it immensely. They actually got a personal tour from the firefighters and enjoyed seeing all the old dispatch and fire equipment. True to his engineering spirit, William was touching some controls on the 1940's fire engine and his actions spurred the firefighter say, "Son, touch the wrong valve and we'll have oil and who knows what else oozing out of this old engine. Maybe you shouldn't touch those knobs." Ironically the engine truck had a "please touch" sign on it. Here are the kids on the back of a non-oozing modern day engine. The firemen were very nice to my little crew.