July 4th Celebrations

This year we finally decided to take the kids to the city to see the "big" fireworks. We had been talking about it for the past two years. When did we want to "brave" the crowds with two kids? Well on Saturday, we packed up the car and headed to the city. We reserved a hotel room so we didn't have to fight the traffic after the celebrations.

We made it into the city in record time (about 35 minutes). We were completely shocked and surprised. We were expecting to sit in traffic for at least over an hour. The weather was perfect the entire day. Michael said this was a holiday the kids would remember.

Sebastian posing next to giant dominos (I forgot the name of the park)
Next to a game piece.
On top of a chess piece.
This was on the way to the park where they had the festivies.  Sheryl Crow was the highlighted performer for the evening.  We didn't sit any where near the stage because it would have been too loud (yes, I'm getting to that age).
The only tactical error (move) of the evening.  We should have dined in a restaurant instead of eating off some greasy street vendor.  We thought it would be fun to have a picnic.  The atmosphere was nice but NOT the food.  We thought there would be some ethnic flavor and more choices at the festival.  Oh well, live and learn.
Mommy and her little guy.
Sebastian was part of the street performance.  The guy was stretching before he leaped over six people (kids).  The performers also did their street dancing (what we know as break dancing from the 80's).
Finding ways to entertain ourselves for four hours!
Really Mom......it's not what it's all cracked up to be.  They're just lights!
Chillin

Ava loses it a couple times...
Not a happy camper.  She's learned this trick the past few months (throwing herself down to dramatize everything).
Look Ava, your first firework!!
Ava????  Yep, she missed the whole show.  After four hours, she threw in the towel.  Sebastian barely made it also.  I had to roll him to wake him up right before the fireworks.

The massive exit out of the park.  We walked about ten blocks back to the hotel.  What a night!
The good news is that we got to stop at our favorite restaurant for breakfast.  I've been wanting to try their fried chicken, waffles and gravy.  Of course I'm an East coast gal and asked for the gravy on the side (not how you do it in the South).