Long Weekend Update + July 4th

Obviously the last week or so really got away from us. The trio completed their final week of swim camp (update soon), and we had a pizza celebration Friday evening. Also, I should mention that Skip has returned to the iPhone fold (from, uhm, Blackberry) so we spent some time at the Apple store Friday getting everything sorted out. Naturally, Mr. Frugal did not purchase a new phone; rather, he fished his old iPhone 5 out of a drawer and had them breathe new life into it.  

As it turns out, it works just fine. This is no surprise since the original 2007 iPhone that George has somewhere in his room still works also. 

We completed some much needed work around the house Saturday morning and then went over to Skip's parents in the afternoon. Skip's sister, along with cousins Riley and Will, were over for a visit so we celebrated George and Riley's birthdays, July 12th and 13th, respectively.  

We also had tons of fun playing games, etc.  

We had a fantastic steak/salmon dinner, followed by a scrumptious birthday cookie.

Boo on my new camera for not cooperating on the crucial candle shots. 

(Ok, maybe it was the user. Ahem... learning curve.)

After some delish cookie/ice cream, the birthday girl and boy opened presents. Jewelry and nerf guns are always classic options.  

We took Sunday super easy... the trio played with our neighbor, whom they haven't seen much this summer due to scheduling, camps, travel, etc. We caught back up with family at a local fireworks show where the trio literally had a blast.

We had some errands to run Monday, and George wanted to eat lunch at Jim N' Nicks. We obliged because, after all, it is his birthday month, a fact that he has reminded us of repeatedly.

We grilled on the 4th, and we had a good visit with Grammie, Lexie and her boyfriend. Visiting with family is the best, and we loved catching up.

 One final note about the 4th... As part of our summer reading, George selected the below book to read at the beginning of July.  He read the following about the American Flag:

Once the colonies became the United States of America, the country needed one flag - the same flag for everybody. So on June 14, 1777, a decision was made. The flag was going to have 13 red and white stripes. The flag was also going to have 13 white stars on a blue background, one for each of the 13 colonies. 

When George finished reading that paragraph, he stopped and said, "I will tell you something. I feel like crying, but I'm not sad."

That is what patriotism feels like, we explained.  

We hope you had a wonderful fourth of July and that you spent it celebrating with loving family and friends.  

Happy 4th!