250th Birthday of the USA

We made it back from the Pacific Northwest in time for 4th of July weekend.

Friday the 3rd of July, I watched hot air balloons even driving to a nearby park to see them closer and to get juggling videos and pictures. 

Jet, Nichole, and I went to do a story trail at the new Delta Gateway Park. "How the Beaver Got His Tail" is one we read back in 2023.

Then we went to the library (libraries?) and picked up some Summer Reading prizes. 

Jet earned a trilobite fossil.

 

That day was Chocolate Wafer Day. Jr. Jr. told me, "We're having them after scripture study to remind us to never wafer in our faith."

Have I mentioned I love that kid?

The kids watched Pooh's Heffalump Movie to celebrate Drop a Rock Day and Eat Beans Day because rocks drop on the trap to catch the heffalump and Pooh ate jelly beans. 

 

Saturday, the 4th of July, was the 250th birthday of the USA and our celebration of it was kind of chill.

We were still recovering from vacation so there were some naps going on.

I did look at the hot air balloons from our front lawn first thing in the morning.

We played with bubbles and shadow puppets while waiting for a jet flyover. 

We watched jets with Jet like we did in 2020.

Then it was time for sidewalk chalk before going in and relaxing.

It was Play Outside Day. 

I did have a drink with a red, white, and blue straw.

For dinner we had hot dogs and salad with Caesar dressing because it was Caesar Salad Day.

For dessert we had red, white, and blue ice cream.

The funny thing is a different day we needed to get ice cream for Nichole's birthday and ice cream was on sale so one of the types of ice cream we got was red, white, and blue ice cream. It was so good.

On Independence Day we heard no fireworks, no sirens, and no dogs barking. This year there was a fireworks ban because of too many fires.

We were planning on more activities, but I'm okay that it was kind of laid back.

 

Sunday, the 5th of July, the kids and I went out for an evening drive and saw the giant flag flying in Grove Creek Canyon. They used a different flag this year. This year it was a Betsy Ross flag, which you can't really tell in the pictures Nichole took as I was driving. Oh well.

Catch of the Day

 

Garden Update

Our garden did well while we were on our trips. While Jeremy was back in Utah for a week between fairs, he took out the dead bell pepper plant and put in a banana pepper plant. Mmmmm.

We've already been able to harvest a few things and use them. Woo hoo.

Ruthless

While in Oregon, my parents had me go through a bunch of crates and get rid of things. I was ruthless. So many of these things I hadn't seen in 20+ years. I got sentiment out of them a long time ago. 

I did keep a few personal history things to take back to Utah like my ruby red slippers from when I was Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz in high school and my cape and bonnet from when I was in A Christmas Carol, also in high school, as well as a plaque for Outstanding Vocal Soloist award in high school choir.

Jet kept a couple things. He was really interested in a shark grabber I had.

 

I took pictures of a whole lot of things so I could be ruthless. 

 

I got rid of "Princess" the stuffed animal dog I had for many years after I got her from my oldest sister who had her for many years. I found out on this trip that Princess was actually my mom's originally. I had no idea. She said she used to be pink.  

I have so many personal history stories to tell about so many of these things and my kids did hear a few stories while I was going through things.

I was proud of myself for being so ruthless, though. Now if I can only convince myself to be ruthless with my own stuff at home.

Mommy, Look

Look at my sculpture. 

Pacific Northwest Trip 2026- part 13

The last day before we left the Pacific Northwest, I went for a walk to say goodbye to my parents' yard, including their own monkey puzzle tree and a lizard.

Jet said goodbye to his reflection in my mom's mirror. He had fun talking to himself.

 

I did some multitasking by playing a card game and having a tea party with Jet at the same time.

While we were playing, there was also some singing going on, including songs from The Muppet Christmas Carol. I said we must be celebrating LEON Day observed since we didn't celebrate it on June 25.

We did celebrate Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day that day, July 1, not by eating ice cream but by thinking of different flavors we could have. Since we had fried rice for dinner, I thought of fried rice flavored ice cream. 

 

The next morning, the kids and I headed back to Utah after saying goodbye to my parents and my brother.

Jet got pictures of my mom as we were driving away. 

 

I didn't take a "road trip" picture but I did do some juggling at one place where we always stop.

 

We had a great trip to the Pacific Northwest. I love my in-laws. I love my family. I feel very blessed.

 

What Do You Think Happened?