Our 4th Celebration

Our July 4th celebration started on July 2nd. : ) We have started a tradition of watching the fireworks at the ball stadium and this year they decided to have their fireworks show after the game on Saturday. The kids have been wanting to go to a game anyway so it was a perfect solution for all.




It was hot so the ice cream and cold beverages were free flowing.

On the actually 4th holiday the morning was nice and cool so we headed out to Botanica, The Wichita Gardens. They just opened a new children's garden section and we wanted to check it out.

There was lots of water involved in the all the garden themes. We enjoyed watering plants and ourselves alike.

They had erected a huge tree house complete with bridge. In the bottom corner you can see the dino dig area where you can look for dinosaur bones.

And the view from the tree house was magnificent.

You can access the tree house via this awesome hollow tree and it looks like you are being swallowed up!

In the music garden you can play the chimes, make thunder or drop little pebbles into this box to make a rain sound. Super cool!

And Eric found the drums and just HAD to put on a concert (of course!).

Our last stop in the children's garden was the Very Hungry Caterpillar area where you open the chrysalis to find drawing paper and pencils.

Then you can sit down on the mushroom stools and draw a picture or two.

We spent quite a bit of time in this little area.

Hidden in the back of the HUGE Very Hungry Caterpillar were doors that housed dress up clothes.

I just hope they don't come home with head lice. I'm such a downer, aren't I?

After our Very Hungry Caterpillar adventure they needed to see the real deal so we headed over to the butterfly house.

While the new children's garden is great, I think this is still their favorite part of the garden for obvious reasons. I mean, come on! LIVE BUTTERFLIES! Who can compete with that?!?! And when they land on you.... priceless.

After a picnic at the park and a swim at the YMCA we headed home to BBQ and start our fireworks spectacular.

Eric let the kids light some of the smaller fireworks this year and they were super careful.

And in true pyro-fashion Eric had to buy a few BIG items like this 70 man parachute monster that pelted our neighbor's roof with little mini parachutes.

He morphs into Tim Allen on this holiday... if 1 is good, 70 is better! "HO, HO, HO"

I guess Logan is in agreement. After our display was over we sat in our driveway and watch our neighbors set off some REALLY BIG fireworks. It was better than the display at the ball stadium!

Hope you all had a happy, safe 4th as well.