4th of July

4th of July this year was loads of fun. HOT, but fun.

Saturday the 3rd we went to South Park to watch the Charlotte Pops Symphony give a special 4th of July concert, and then a fireworks show afterward. Coop was very excited about the occasion, and very patriotic in his red, white and blue, eating his flag.

We hung out on our blankets on the hillside for a few hours, sliding down the steep hill on our blankets, trying to prevent Coop from log-rolling down every time he crawled.

I love this picture of me and Nate.

We went to the celebration with my brother, Bryt, sister-in law Liz, neice Ellie and sister Chelsey. Bryt and Liz were enjoying the steep hillside and heat as well.

Bryt got Cooper giggling really hard bouncing him up and down.
It made Bryt giggle just as hard.

Here I am trying to entertain Ellie while Nate took Cooper for a walk to see the pond and ducks. Ellie was very interested in Cooper's book about a cricket. Funny thing, later that night an actual cricket jumped across our blanket, and scared Ellie until she realized it was the same as in the book. Then she decided it might be ok. Maybe. But it was still icky.

Ok--so we were getting a little bored with the "prelude" music until the actual symphony started playing. Ellie and Chelsey tried hard to keep themselves entertained.

Coop is not so sure he's having a fun time. But he did.
Just before dusk, the Pops Symphony started the official concert. It was fun, and Coop got ready for bed in his 4th of July-worthy pjs. He was such a good trooper for the night, and finally fell asleep just before the concert was over. It was very humid and he was sweating and having trouble sleeping, so when the fireworks started, he woke up right away and was fascinated by also slightly annoyed at all the noise. His face was full of amazement at watching the fireworks. It was priceless. The poor little guy was completely tuckered out as soon as we got to the car.

We had so much fun!