Making Trucks

On Saturday we managed to make it to one of Home Depot’s little kid workshop events.  They do it the first Saturday of every month, but we never quite remember it if Lance IS home.  We happened to be at Home Depot earlier in the week, so we made a point to remember that the next workshop was coming up.  Lance took Maddy to two similar workshops last year at Lowe’s, and she loved it.  Home Depot is much closer to our current house, so off we went!  We decided to take the whole gang as it would be difficult to have Lance with both Maddy and Tommy given how much one on one is necessary to build the items.  Lance paired with Maddy and Tommy was with me as Aaron sat by in the stroller (he wasn’t exactly thrilled about that). 

Walking in…I love this picture!

Proudly donning their new orange smocks.  (And Maddy with the requisite Princess jewelry and sunglasses.  Tommy was quite bummed that he’d left his sunglasses at home.)

Maddy and Daddy getting started.  At this point, Tommy and I got going on his.  I didn’t get any pics of the two of us.  I’d forgotten the camera at home and took all these via my phone.

Proof Aaron was there. :-) Mommy was being silly with the safety goggles.  (Bad mommy: I forgot to bring his glasses! –He doesn’t wear them in the car.  If I can’t physically reach him, he can’t have them—although they are made out of bendy nylon, gnawing on them is still not a good thing).

All done!

Not the best picture, but a better view of what they look like.  I suppose this project was sponsored by Penske…lol.  They got to hammer all the pieces together, paint it the color of their choice, place the truck stickers, and add some additional foam stickers.  Sadly, Tommy’s has already lost a wheel and most of his stickers.  Maddy has only lost foam stickers (thanks to Tommy…lol)

The kids had a fun time making them.  I think we might be able to make next month’s project as well, but we’ll see if we remember!

Fanfare and Fireworks

Gainesville did their Independence Day celebration on the 3rd; evidently it’s a tradition that they do it the day before.  Lance is on an elective rotation that actually allowed a holiday off(!?!?!?!?), so we were able to be out later on Tuesday night without worry of an early morning on the 4th for him.  It was due to that, and more importantly, his parents answering our last-minute call to come watch the boys (we cannot say THANK YOU enough), that we were able to take Maddy to see the fireworks.  What made this night even more special was that this was the very first time that Maddy had ever seen fireworks.  She’s been pretty wary of loud noises up to now, so it just hadn’t worked out for us to take her.  --That and having little brothers following so soon after. ;o)  She had an absolute blast!

The show was held on UF’s campus at Flavet Field.  The first couple hours featured live music and vendors and such.  The last hour the Gainesville Community Band came out and played some selections which led into the firework accompaniment.  The show didn’t start until 9:40, so it was a pretty late night for her.  On the drive home, she was sooo tired.  She asked me if it was okay for her to fall asleep in her car seat because she was “so tired of being awake.”  So sweet.

Walking from our car to Flavet Field…so excited!

All set in our spot!

Maddy and Daddy

Hard to tell the size, but this was a GINORMOUS flag hanging from two cranes.

Sitting with mommy as it starts to get dark

Our spot behind the sound booth tent.  We didn’t mind the limited view; it was a nice spot in the grass amidst a nearly-full field when we arrived at 8:15.  The festivities had started at 7.

Evidently they gave out 3,000 of these glow necklaces at the start.  As we got there later, we missed out on that.  However, there was a very sweet mom nearby whose child had several and offered one to Maddy after it had gotten dark.  I think this alone may have made her night.  Such a simple act of kindness…I’ll have to try and pay that one forward should I ever have the chance.

Lance asked her if she wanted to be held just before the show started.  She said no, but as the first few shot up, she just about clamored up his leg.  She held on tight, unsure at first.

Still holding tight, but starting to enjoy them.

No longer as nervous after seeing a handful.  She was one very happy, very excited, very TIRED little girl.  I am so glad we got to do this with her.  We look forward to next year when Tommy—and perhaps even Aaron—can join in the fun as well!

Princess Party

Last Saturday, Lance took Maddy to our local Chic Fil A for a special Princess Party. It was a cute event that required reservations. It included a cookie and lemonade and a princess tiara and wand.  It wasn’t a specific Daddy-Daughter thing, but it made for a great Maddy-Daddy day out. Lance was able to snap a few pictures while they were there.  He didn’t tell her what they were doing until they were driving up, so she was pretty surprised.  I think its safe to say she had a great time (and daddy may have enjoyed it as well).