Celebrating the 4th

There is something most people don't really know about me. And being a former cheerleader, and a mom who plans vacations that drag my kids and family to every event I can squeeze into on a trip, with a schedule that is as tight as Fort Knox it probably comes as a surprise that ... I really don't like crowds of people.
Except for things like Disney World, Nascar, and Sea World (where I know I just have to 'put up' with the crowds in order to enjoy the event), I tend to avoid attending things that I know will be shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Where I will cling to my kids' hands so tight they complain (for fear they will get separated in the masses and I won't be able to find them). So when cool events come to our town, like concerts at the arena downtown, or festivals on the river (or downtown), or really cool Christian events at churches, like Rockets over Rhema... I usually don't go.
Simply because
1. I don't want to drive downtown.
2. I don't want to fight parking.
3. I don't want to lose my kids.
4. Lots of big events (Fair) are ripoffs and I don't want to waste money as my kids whine for every treat and ride they see.
and most importantly...
5. I don't like huge crowds of people.

When its so crowded u can't walk a straight line because u have to keep veering left or right so as not to walk into someone, I don't think its fun.

So it is because of this dislike, that I haven't seen a 'real' fireworks show in many years. Usually (because its legal to buy fireworks in this state ) lots of my neighbors put on a display, so I sit peacefully (with no crowds or traffic to contend with) in my front yard and watch the show up and down the street.

Well, this year, my good friend Jen, told us about two events that take place locally in our town.
One is put on by our town, the other is put on by a local church. We decided to break out of our lazy comfort zone and attend both of these events with her family.
We are SO glad we did! They were awesome and so much fun! And because our town is much smaller than the "city downtown", the crowds weren't even what I would consider a "crowd", and there was no shoulder bumping as we walked around, we found easy parking, and easy exiting, and it was a fantastic time. So glad we tried it. We are planning on attending both events every year from here on in :) They had fireworks, food , and music at both of them. The city event also had wild animals to pet and hold, while the church had free food, pony rides, and jupiter jumps. Very awesome! Thanks Jen for telling us about these cool events!

Next up, as I hear it, she is going to try to get us to go to a Rodeo! wow, we'll have to see if we are up for that too :) ha ha.