Happy 4th of July!

Well, I am currently sitting with Luke while he tries to go to sleep, since once again, terror and mayhem have descended on our neighborhood in the form of the accursed fireworks.  Don’t get me wrong—I love fireworks.  Luke, on the other hand, views them as a sign of the impending apocalypse, so we must close the blinds, turn up the noise machine, and give constant assurances:).  Children.

Outside explosions aside, we have had a great 4th.  We would love to one day celebrate with my parents in Macon, who have a huge cookout every year, or even to have our own cookout, but the 4th falls when we are “all traveled out” from Impact and are badly wanting some quiet family time.  So that’s how we have spent it for the last two years—together. 

This year, we thought about going to Patriot’s Point in the morning to see the Yorktown, but we weren’t sure if it opened before the afternoon festivities, so we opted for Charles Town Landing, instead.  Charles Town Landing is the site of the original settlement of Charleston, which apparently only lasted about ten years before they realized they made a big mistake and moved to the peninsula.  We got there before it got too hot, and had a great time walking the “history trail” and seeing what we could see.

We asked Luke if he wanted to try the stocks, and he was definitely opposed.  I think he thought we were crazy!

Luke’s favorite part was the trade ship, complete with sailor:).  The sailor showed Luke how to scoot down below deck on his bottom, so he wouldn’t fall.

Maybe our favorite part of the whole excursion came after we left the ship when we came upon this turtle under the bench.  Now, depending on who you are, you might find this either really weird or awesome, but we came just in time to watch it dig a hole with its feet, lay ten eggs in the hole (we counted), and then cover them up.  It was amazing.  Seriously, I was slack-jawed the whole time (which is not a flattering facial position.)  I have never seen a turtle do that!  I felt a little rude, since it kind of seemed like a private experience, but the turtle didn’t seem to mind, and it was just too fascinating to leave!

After we left, we headed to Queen Anne’s Revenge, a pirate-themed restaurant on Daniel Island that we’ve been wanting to try with the kids.  Unfortunately, they were closed for the 4th (um, guys, you could have put that on your website!), but a sign on the door recommended The Buccaneer, their “sister” restaurant downtown.  Though we were starving, we decided to give it a try.

It was too dark to get really good pictures at the table, but we sat right next to an aquarium, so the kids had fun looking at the fish while waiting for our meal.  The food was alright, but I think Queen Anne’s Revenge would have been better, and I still want to try it!  But this was a good alternative.

Then, we came home for naps (all of us!) and woke up to grill hamburgers and fix potatoes and green beans.  I had even made a red,white, and blue parfait for dessert, though I kind of messed it up (hence, the lack of pictures:)).  But the kids loved it, and I know what I did wrong, and I still have all the ingredients, so I’ll make some more this week, and show you a picture if it’s pretty:).

So those were our 4th of July adventures.  We are so thankful to live in a country that gives us such freedom, and I pray that God’s church uses our blessed freedom to further His Kingdom.  What an amazing opportunity and responsibility!

I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day!