Fourth of July weekend

This weekend was nothing short of amazing.

On Saturday, Hal had to work a half day so in the morning Ella and I hit up the Cedar Park Farmers' Market and Home Depot. On the first Saturday of the month Home Depot sponsors a free "do-it-yourself" type project for kiddos, and this month was coaster-making. Ella enjoyed attempting to hammer nails into the plywood, although she would have much preferred to stack all the pieces on top of each other and have her own abstract piece of art. After lunch at Chipotle with my mom, we headed home for a nap. By the time Hal got home, we were up and ready to head to the Hill Country Galleria for their 4th of July extravaganza. Rosie and the Ramblers were playing--never heard of them, but they were awesome!--so we searched out some shade and ate pizza and danced. Ella fell in LOVE with the bouncy castle.

Sunday brought a wonderful sermon at church. We had a guest pastor, and to be honest most of the time I am not enthused about another pastor speaking (creature of habit right here). However, this sermon really spoke to me, and I left feeling energized and very peaceful at the same time. Then we went home with a crazy, full-of-energy Ella (now that she's finally well, she's a completely different kid--so crazy all the time and never seeming to slow down. So fun!) Of course, after a very full Saturday and an early Sunday morning, she proceeded to crash and take a 3 hour nap-woo hoo!! So, of course, we were so pleased to already have made plans to visit Hal's parents in Liberty Hill for dinner and let Ella run around like a wild banshee out on their property.

Then came the fourth of July today. I love this holiday. My parents, Ella and I participated in our neighborhood's bike/stroller/wagon parade. We decorated the BOB with red, white and blue ribbons and bows sort of last minute, but it turned out pretty cute. We all decided it was our new tradition--with one catch: each year, we have to step up our participation a notch or two. We're thinking kazoo band next year. :) Ella waved her mini American flag proudly and wore a red sparkly party hat because that's what HEB had left at 8:30 this morning. When we got home, Hal had set up her new slip-n-slide, and they played in it until lunchtime. After her nap, we three headed to our neighborhood pool for its annual pool party, and Ella wore herself out trying to keep up with the big kids. Hal spent all morning making his famous pulled pork, so we had my parents over for an uh-mazing dinner of pulled pork sandwiches and brownie sundaes. So delicious that I couldn't even allow myself to feel guilty.

Man, I realize nobody probably wants to read this entire novela I just wrote, but I'm so glad to chronicle this great weekend. Ella is healthy and happy, and literally every person that has been around her in the last two weeks has commented on what a different child she is now that she feels good. She's a crazy toddler, and I now understand how tiring it has been for all of my friends with toddlers! :)