Vacation Day 3 July 4

Upon waking July 4th, E could hear L out in the kitchen eating so she promptly asked to go out and eat. This is a huge departure from normal but a welcome surprise. E doesn't eat early at all! Well, she sat down and had some cereal and something else then the two of them now done with eating commenced to chasing each other about the cottage and gradually moved it to the deck outside.

As early as everyone was awake, the girls slowed down a bit after a while and I was actually able to talk E into going for a run. We went down to the lake shore and ran the regular 4 miles. At the turn around, I stopped and let E get out and play by the shore. She enjoyed making some of Aunt P's dribble castles, poked at ants and tried several times to get into the water. With gentle diversions, I was able to keep her out and stay dry. I feel she had a nice time. Along the way, we saw many dogs and would often ask "what her name?" She does seem to have a voracious curiosity about life. About a mile from the cottage, she succumbed to sleep which was short lived upon arriving back at the cottage, where cousins J and L were hard at play.

Gma and Uncle B were out playing as well so I was able to sneak off to shower. When I got out, I had a message from G that she was inviting us to her place on the lake for a 4th of July picnic. I asked E if she wanted to go and she did, so we packed up quickly and went. At G's, E was the youngest and most enthusiastic one around. We did a bit of chase and such things, but her favorite seemed to be out on the "bridge" (dock) and the boat. G's mom D has a pontoon which really was fun for E to go on so she could look over the rail and see fish and ducks and all of the other boats. Many questions and observations later, it was time for the meal. At this point, it was late and I could tell that E really needed a nap so we ate a quick bite and were on our way... Thanks G!

Once back at the cottage, Uncle B had Gpa's old car out. It was backfiring a bit but aside from that, really had E intrigued. After lunch, Uncle B gathered the kids and Gma up for a ride. There destination was the gift store behind the cottage which they could get to without going on the main road. As the bunch were all strapped in the back seat, I could see some real excitement in E's eyes and smile. L had ridden in the old car before last year so she already knew what to expect. The ride would not have been complete for the total experience if it had not broken down. I guess it was the battery, but none the less left them stranded.

I was hopeful after returning that an afternoon nap might happen but with having J and L around, all we got was some quiet time on the couch watching E shows, better than nothing. As the afternoon progressed, B and A were readying for their annual dinner at a local nice restaurant. About 5pm or so B's family got ready to so to Aunt A's family cottage on the lake. E was disappointed but Gma helped occupy her while I prepared some food for the grill for dinner. As dinner approached, E got sleepy and off to nap for her and a nice peaceful and quiet dinner for us.

When she woke, Gma, E and I went for a walk down toAunt A's family cottage in order to tire her out a bit more. She rode in the stroller and enjoyed that. At there cottage, L was asleep and J was busy with his cousins so we really didn't stay long. We headed for home and the timing was just about right. We had time for an E show and some milk then off to bed for the night.

It was a very nice and appropriately long day for the 4th. The weather had been just perfect and the amount of activities just enough. The big let down was the fact that H.L. was doing fireworks Saturday night so that would mean we would miss them there as well as home so I hope to see some next year. Perfect or not, this is what memories are made of.