4th of July!!!

We had a GREAT 4th of July yesterday. My brother, Robbie, is visiting us from Indiana for 2 1/2 weeks while mom and Eric are in France, Germany, and Italy. We all went to a big 4th of July festival at our favorite park. There were about 5,000 people there. Normally, when Paprika and I visit, there are 20 people there- max. So, it was a little surreal for us!



Mr. Mustard showed up at 8am to reserve us a spot on the lawn. He laid down blankets and rope (as is the custom), then we went and did other things all day (like go to the park and hang out in the airconditioned coolness of our house), and we came back to the festival after Paprika woke up from her afternoon nap. We went right over to our spot and everything was still there!

Paprika was wonderful at the festival. She was happy to play on our little plot of land and didn't try to wander off into the crowd. After awhile we asked her if she wanted to play on the playground, and she said "Yes!" and hopped into her stroller to be strolled over to the playground. After that, we watched fireworks. The fireworks display was AMAZING! We were very close to the fireworks, and it was a little overwhelming for Paprika at first, but by the end of it, she was saying "More, please! Again! Again!" Afterwards, we asked her if she liked fireworks and she said "Yes!!!"



Mr. Mustard's mom is also down visiting us this weekend. Santa Barbara/Goleta is experiencing a big fire, and her neighborhood was evacuated just to be safe. It appears that her house and her neighborhood will be fine- no houses have burned in her area and the fire is moving away. So, that's good news!



This afternoon we are going to a 4th of July pool party (well, actually 5th of July). I am excited to try out Paprika's new water wings! I hope she likes them!