4th of July

Gosh, the 4th is absolutely the best holiday ever!! I've been trying hard to coordinate activities and special occasions (that maybe otherwise I wouldn't do, because I'm not always chomping at the bit to do non-kid-friendly stuff). But in preparation for America's birthday, I hauled my little circus down to the main library to see it's display of the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. And it looked very similar to a carousel...

No pictures allowed, of course, but it was a fun chance to explain the Revolutionary War on our not-to-scale world map tapestry and later show Tori the "papers" that give us so many freedoms. 

And aside from dancing in the ballroom where the documents were displayed, the promise of a carousel ride at Bryant Park would pacify them through the long line.

Waiting and wishing and hoping and praying....and later crying through the whole ride.

Holding hands in the library with mom and Tori.

I had planned to spend the 4th at our favorite piers and waterside park down in Tribeca, but we were lucky enough to be extended an invite to picnic in the area with new friends in our new ward, while we waited for fireworks.

Brandon's culinary skills + my pestering = 4th of July goodies

The waiting time was greatly reduced by star gazing at Josh Lucas and his hot mama wife. I am the most star struck person ever!! 

Aunt Samantha wants YOU! (it's a stretch I know...captions are hard man)

Kenna and Tori Kenna!

The rest of the lower west side

Empire State of Mind

Our friends are super fun and thought to bring patriotic colored glow sticks for nightfall.

We were way farther south from the fireworks than I expected, so you can imagine my disappointment when they weren't exploding right above my head! The goal was to face the masses and see them out in the open though, so mission accomplished. Along with making playdate plans with the Josh Lucas family (that totally didn't happen), I also met a ton of cute girls that I probably wouldn't have had the chance to, so it was a day well spent. Instagram video featuring a portion of Josh Lucas's tattoo...that other cute boy is totally mine!!