You're Gonna Love This!

The town of Collierville celebrates the 4th of July on the 3rd (I don't know why). There's a big to-do at Powell Park with vendors and a stage with live musical performances and a big fireworks show to cap off the night. Well, my appointments went so well today (Chemo in the morning [see earlier post] and a booster shot at 5pm -- Thank you sooo much, Lisha, for watching Tolan for that!), that I decided to take the kids to the celebration. Craig has been working an evening shift all week, so it was just me and the four kids. We packed up blankets and the diaper bag, and stopped at Arby's to pick up some dinner. There was free parking at the High School with a shuttle bus taking people over to the park. We decided to do that instead of look for a place far away and walk.

Alana loved the bus ride there. We found a nice spot on the lawn for our blankets and in no time Bryce and Jared found friends that were playing ball nearby, so they joined in. Alana, Tolan and I checked out the vendors; Alana got an icee. We walked around and talked to friends as we ran into them. We sat on the blankets and ate dinner and just enjoyed being out! Tolan loved the activity all around.

Well, 9:00 came and when there were no fireworks, I told the boys, "Maybe they start at 9:15". 9:15 came and went, and the kids were getting a bit impatient. I asked some nearby friends if they knew what time the fireworks started and they said, "Yes, 9:45!". Oh, too long for us! I asked the kids if they wanted to wait, or just go home. They opted to just go home. So we packed up the blankets and bags and headed over to the buses. Just in time -- the buses were just pulling up. We went to the first one and started to climb on when the bus driver said, "Were not running now. We're taking a break until 9:45." I sighed and told the kids that we'll just have to walk the two blocks to the car. So off we went. Tolan in my Baby Bjorn carrier, Jared with a blanket and bag, Bryce with the other blanket and diaper bag, and Alana holding his hand. There were more than a few "Are we there yets".

About halfway there, BOOM, CRACK, the fireworks show started. We could see some of it over the trees as we kept walking. Almost there, and Alana tripped and skinned her knee! Bryce was such a great kid and tried to carry her along with everything else. Jared, equally good, came right over and took the extra blanket and bag from Bryce. Alana soon calmed down and I tried to keep the mood light by singing, "Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked..." Jared interrupted me and said, "MOM. This is NOT the time!"

We finally made it to the High School and piled into the car, and what do we see pulling into the parking lot?? The bus - of course!!! We just had to laugh. The kids were sure troopers.

At home, everyone had much needed showers and I informed them that according to Google we walked 1.6 miles. Not bad for a clan like ours.

The funny thing is -- this is has been the greatest night for me in a month! I was out with my kids having a good time, visiting with friends, and healthy enough to walk 1.6 miles carrying a baby! Life is good.