Zoo, Donations Drive, and 4th of July

While Devin was in Boise I tried to entertain the kids so the time would go by faster and they wouldn't sit and ponder on how much they were missing him.  I put together Kyra's toddler bed, removed Tristan's training wheels, had pool days at the house, used some coupons for different eating establishments, went to parks, ballet, T-ball, movie night, and the zoo.  I think the only thing I accomplished was exhaustion for myself.  I was SOOOOO tired.  But-I think they had fun and was so happy when Devin surprised them and came home a day and 1/2 early.

While we were in Idaho Falls for doctor appointments we went to the zoo.  The kids loved the monkeys, lions, and the reptiles.

Kyra LOVES shoes and she doesn't mind wearing socks with sandals.  In this photo I guess she didn't want her picture taken.

Several years ago after Hurricane Katrina--Cortlynn and I watched a telethon to raise funds.  Cortlynn was so little but wanted to help.  So Cortlynn and I put a tub outside the bank I worked at and collected donations to donate to the victims.  The response was overwhelming; 2 truck fulls of donations.  Fast forward--on Tuesday a friend of mine put together a donation drive for the Charlotte Fire victims and the kids and I put some items together to donate.  Clothes, blankets, books, toys, bedding, dishes, toothbrushes, and body washes.  We ended up with over 10 bags and a box of items.  When we went to the park to drop them off-Cortlynn and Tristan were shocked by the amount of items people were bringing to help.

On the Fourth of July we stayed in town and enjoyed the parade, swimming at the house, and the fireworks located just a few blocks away.  It was weird to be home the entire day-but it was a nice, relaxing day.

Kyra was so tired by the end of the parade-but she hung onto her flag the entire time.

I thought this was neat---they had signs on the side of the truck thanking all the different agencies and businesses that helped the day of the fire.

We didn't even have to try to collect the candy---since we weren't in the front where the kids could get the candy--there were several people that would give us candy that they collected.  We came away with quite a bit of candy.

Yep-here is the Bull in the Van.  I don't even think they were technically in the parade-just conveniently at the "end" of the parade.  Could you imagine the smell in that van???

Before the fireworks show we let the kids throw some poppers.  Kyra was all over this--she loved it and both her and Tristan enjoyed running after Cortlynn and throwing them at her feet.  ;-)  This was really funny: Too bad Cortlynn didn't find the humor with it.

Kyra getting some poppers to throw.

What a beautiful sunset

We live only 2 blocks away from where the fireworks are set off-and could watch them from our home, BUT-we like to walk down to the soccer fields and watch them shoot overhead.  Kyra slept through the entire show.

There were actually 8 little fires started by the fireworks so I watched the flames grow and all the the trucks rush to put them out.  (I did get a little nervous and hoped that if it got bad enough they would stop the show and tell everyone to leave)

I thought this photo was cool---we came home and let the kids light a few sparklers.  Devin and a few other fireworks-but they scared Kyra so we went inside.  Poor girl and nightmares all night.