TheSammamishWerners: Independence Day weekend fun in the sun

The epic run of tropical weather continues, and we were able to celebrate the extended holiday weekend in style. The kids continue to thrive in the sun, spending as much time as possible outdoors, handing out smiles and laughter like candy at a parade.

We filled the kiddie pool on Friday morning, put the slide, some rockets, and a couple of balls into the pool, and the kids knew what to do from there. Kenzie in particular enjoys getting in the pool as often as we'll allow, and managed to talk us into letting her splash around 5 or 6 times in three days.

Home-made ice cream suddenly seemed very American to me, so I ran down to Target and came back with an ice cream maker and demands for my family that they make me some cookies and cream ice cream. Thankfully they are always happy to indulge my whims.

Jackson requested a home fireworks show, and there is a huge fireworks stand just down the road from our house, so I took him down Friday morning and picked up a big ole mess of fireworks. I think I've decided I want to work in marketing for a fireworks company some day, after seeing Jackson's excitement and wonder as I read the names and descriptions of the various fireworks. Old Glory, Spinning Panda, Purple Rain, Monster Truck, Morning Glory, and parachutes were fan favorites.

Below, Jackson holds a sparkler for the first time (Morning Glory). Not pictured: Steph, wearing a very forced, very fake smile as Jackson does his own version of a Hawaiian fire dance.

Smokey's endless summer continues. He has taken to starting his days with a nice sunny nap in the bark in our back yard. He has never been happier in his life than this summer.

Jackson had a picture perfect 5th birthday, which was timed nicely, one day after Kenzie declared that she was going to start being nice to Jackson when he turned five.

Jackson got everything he wanted for his birthday, including lots of Star Wars stuff (now that he has let us know that he is finally into Star Wars), and a remote control Pirate Ship.

He also got $50 from his great grandparents, which he is going to use to open his own savings account. We were quite pleased with his choice after a long discussion with us about saving money for important things down the road... that is until I overheard a part of his phone conversation with his great grandparents, in which he told them "um, I'm not sure yet, but I'm definitely not going to college!" I guess we still have some work to do :)

All smiles after getting his pirate ship