Home Sweet Home

It's 7AM, and I'm sitting on my patio.  MY patio.  Listening to the birds chirp, and taking in the sweet bliss of peace and quiet.  Except for the birds, anyway.  The kids are all still in bed, and probably will be for a while.  I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing up at this time, especially after just getting back from an exhausting vacation, but I have to admit I'm happy to be here.  Right here.  In my spot.  Getting my short amount of "me time" before the day gets started.

We made it home around 8 last night.  We checked out of the motel at 9AM, and then spent the day at Silver Dollar City before coming home.  I didn't get a chance to blog because the kids were excited to get up and going.

The day before, we spent the day exploring Branson's shopping hot spots.  We visited Tanger Outlets and the kids spent some of their money that P-Momma gave them to buy a few things.  Jelly managed to talk me in to buying her even MORE stuffed animals at the Disney Store.  But, I couldn't resist.  That was one store that was sooooo much cheaper than the regular store.  She picked out a Sleeping Beauty plush doll, originally $19.99 for $6, and a plush Piglet for the same price.  She even got a new Princess tote to carry her stuff around in. Peanut got a new tank shirt, regularly $29.99 for $10.  At Rue 21, Butter found a new pair of shorts and a shirt, Peanut found a new pair of jeans and a shirt, and I only spent $36.  Not too bad at all.  My only purchases at the outlet was a pair of New York & Company aviator sunglasses, regularly $29.99 on sale for $5, and a few lotions and body sprays we picked up at Bath & Body Works and Perfumania.  I would NEVER spend $30 on a pair of sunglasses, but I will sure spend $5 on a pair. HA!  

After we spent about 3 hours at the Outlet, we decided to go back to the motel for a short break.  That ended up turning in to a 2 hour nap for EVERYONE.  We woke up around 4PM, got ourselves freshened up, and decided to go grab our free pizzas for dinner.  (The package we bought from the motel included two free pizzas.)  We took our time eating our pizza and then decided to head over to Branson Landing for some more shopping.  The weather was perfect for walking around.  We visited Bass Pro Shops, and then explored some of the stores located at the Landing.  We spent about 2 hours just walking around and digging through some of the stuff that was on sale.  

                                  

                                   

We were all done around 8PM, but due to our nap earlier, we weren't really ready to call it a night.  We decided to drive up the strip and take a look at what was going on.  From all the attractions that Branson has to offer, we had a lot to choose from.  But, the kids eventually decided that they wanted to go to the Hollywood Wax Museum.  Thanks to our Silver Dollar City passes, we got a great discount.  We were able to pick three attractions for the price of two, so we opted for the museum, the haunted castle, and the maze of mirrors.  

The wax museum was good.  The kids had a blast getting their pictures taken with some of their favorite celebrities...

                       

                                    

                                    

                                    

Once we got enough of the museum, we headed on over to the haunted castle.  Now this was one attraction I'd never done before, and the kids LOVED it.  It was a 5D interactive ride through a short horror movie.  We had to shoot at zombies that were hurling stuff at us, watch and feel creepy bugs and bats flying around (thanks to seats that moved and air blowing out on to our necks), and be spun around on a revolving floor that whipped us from one scene to the next.  After that experience, I'm wondering why all movies aren't made in 5D.  I'd see just about every movie there is in a 5D theater! You could feel, see, and smell what was going on, and I couldn't help but scream several times when it looked as though a dagger or a ball of fire was being thrown straight at me.  And there's nothing like the smell of rotting carcasses to add to the effect of zombies coming straight for us.

The kids loved it so much, we just had to do it again. And we did.  With Butter being the winner of the zombie shoot out during both rides.  

When we had our fill of zombies and ghosts, we headed on up to the maze of mirrors.  Now, Peanut, Butter, and I really enjoyed getting lost in the mirrors.  Jelly?  Not so much.  It was royally ticking her off, and giving her a little anxiety that we seemed to be going round in circles.  It didn't help when fairy tale characters kept popping up inside a mirror to give us some direction...

                                   

                                   

                                   

The girl can handle crazy thrill rides, zombies, and ghosts, but have her look in to a mirror that suddenly turns in to a wizard reflection.. and THAT freaks her out.  Peanut managed to find the exit for us, just in time.  I think Jelly would have had a full blown panic attack if we'd been in there more than a few more minutes.

After all that fun, we decided to call it a night.  It was back to the motel for our last night.

After checking out and grabbing a quick breakfast at McDonald's the next morning, we went for our last day at Silver Dollar City.  And, out of the previous times we went, yesterday was the busiest.  There were TONS of people there, so the kids wanted to head straight to the ONLY ride they had yet to get on:  PowderKeg.

It's a roller-coaster that starts you off going from 0-60MPH in 2.8 seconds.  Jelly and I watched as Peanut and Butter tried it out. 

                                       

                            

Being that it was so fast and so high, I really didn't think it was something that Jelly should get on.  At least without me trying it out, first.  But, I didn't get that chance.  After standing there and watching the ride for a while, Jelly quickly caught on that there were kids her size riding.. and SHE WANTED ON!  So, as soon as Peanut and Butter were finished, we were back in line to let Jelly have a go.  My stomach turned the whole time we were waiting, and even more so when we got on.  We zipped off at 60MPH, rushed over hills and around sharp turns, and that little girl let out whoops of glee and excitement.  She loved it so much that she was begging me to do it again before we even got off the first time.  So, it was back in line for ride number 2.  And, again, she laughed and cheered all the way through.  Crazy girl.

I have to admit, that by day 3, I wasn't near as nervous about getting on the big roller-coasters as I'd been on the first day.  I actually really enjoyed it.  We spent several hours hopping off of one ride and straight on to the next, but we were ready to call it a day around 4PM.

After stopping for drinks, then again for dinner, it took us a lot longer to get home.. but I was so glad when we finally pulled in to our driveway.  We unpacked, and the kids went straight to bed.  I made my way to bed around 11PM, and I was so happy to be back in my own bed.

The kids have all made me promise that we do NOTHING today.  We're not allowed to go anywhere or do anything more than do some laundry and swim.  And that sounds like a great plan to me.  Nothing like a short vacation to rest up after a vacation.  Right?

I am so happy I got to give my kids a little mini-adventure.  It's not very often we get to go away and do stuff like that, and I don't mind that I spent every penny of my summer school money making their few days away the best it could be.  

And, we still have plenty of summer left to fill with more fun activities.

Day Two Vacation Adventure Continues

Travelog...Day Two...

We started out waking up bright and early so that we could head over to eat breakfast and pick up our tickets for the shows.  The breakfast buffet was AH-MAZING.  The usual breakfast fixings like bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, etc., but also TONS of other stuff like cheesy hashbrowns, an omelet station, pastry station, cereal bar, and waffles and pancakes.  Very similar to a Golden Corral Breakfast, really.  

And, I'm sure it's going to do wonders for the Project: Outlaw Run that I plan on getting in to.  That will, you know, help me lose enough weight by the end of the season so that I can get on that ride.  I only have about an inch to lose from around my waist.. so should probably avoid all the buffet places.  But, it is vacation, and I'll get down and serious as soon as I get home (famous last words).

After breakfast, we picked up our show tickets and headed to the first show of the day:  Amazing Pets.  It was a cute show with trained dogs, house cats, and even a couple of giant parrots.  Peanut even got her first taste of being on stage during a Branson show when she was picked to participate in a short skit.  She, along with three other children, performed a cute little song and dance on stage.  I'm proud of her for being silly, and I captured the whole thing on video.  She had a good time participating, and all the kids had a great time watching.  We weren't allowed to take any photos when the animals were on stage, but I was allowed to record Peanut and take some photos of the little fun skits performed during acts.  When I get home, and have better internet service, I'll upload more photos of the entire trip, and the video of Peanut performing.  She's the one in the blue, and it was hard to get a great picture because of all the lights.

                                 

After the show, we decided to cash in our coupon for a free game of miniature golf.  The resort has a new golf course:  Black Light Miniature golf.  It was very cool.  The entire place was lit up with black lights and reflective decor.  The only way we could really see each other was by our clothes lighting up.  

Once golf was over, we spent an hour or so playing at The Fun Spot, which is basically an arcade of games that give out tickets as prizes.  We had fun, and the kids won some little prizes to take away.

The afternoon was spent watching another show:  Comedy Jubilee.  Now, this show was great.  I was kind of worried about it, at first, because I really thought it was going to be silly and more for the kids.  But, I was wrong.  The kids had a great time, but I laughed so hard I cried.  The performers were HYSTERICAL and kept everyone very entertained.  The Branson Trio also performed several songs, and it was laughter and music for two hours straight.  Even though the pet show was cute, it was nothing compared to how much fun we had during the comedy show.  Even Jelly laughed her butt off at some of the entertainers.  She especially enjoyed the Emcee, Apple Jack, and was lucky enough to get a picture with him during intermission.  

                                     

Once the show was over, it was dinner time.  So, we hoped on over to the pizza place, located on site, and enjoyed some pizza.  After dinner, it was back to the hotel room for a break and then we decided to go back to the water park for a while.  

At 10PM, the kids and I went back over to the arcade for a party that was being thrown for all the kids.  They had free cake, popcorn, and music and we played games until 11PM.  That's when they had a giant balloon drop for the kids to win prizes and stuff.  My kids didn't make it out with any free prizes, but they all seemed to have a good enough time playing the games and earning tickets so they could pick their own prizes.  

By the time we got back to the room, the kids were all exhausted and went straight to sleep.  I made my way there after a while, and slept much better than the night before.  

I was awoken this morning by a loud crash of thunder.  It made me jump out of bed because I realized we'd left all the swimming stuff outside on the balcony.  I discovered half of our stuff still hanging up, but the rest I had to track down due to it being blown over the rails to the downstairs level.  

It figures that TODAY is the day it's going to rain.  We spent all day inside, yesterday, while the sun was shining.  Today, we're supposed to go do some exploring at Branson Landing (outside) and Historic Downtown (outside).  We're hoping the rain will push out while we eat breakfast and head on over to Tanger Outlet Mall.  Hoping.  If not, then we'll get a little wet, I suppose.

But, more about that tomorrow.  We're staying an extra night... so there will be plenty more to talk about in the morning.

Have a great Tuesday!

Day One of Our Vacation Adventure

Travelog...Day One...

We arrived at Silver Dollar City around 9:30AM.  The weather forecast, for the past several days, had told me that it was going to be a HOT one.  The temperature was supposed to top out around 94 degrees.  But, thankfully, once again the weather forecast was wrong and I'd be surprised if the temps even made it in to the upper 80s.  It stayed cloudy all day, and there were even a few sprinkles of rain here and there.

As soon as we got to the park, the kids wanted to head straight for the new roller-coaster we didn't get to ride on Wednesday:  Outlaw Run.  I stayed behind with Jelly and said a quick prayer before Peanut and Butter jumped aboard, as I looked up at the 162 feet of track they started chugging up, to be plummeted down on the other side, at an 81 degree angle going 68MPH.  They went up, they came down, and when they got off the ride Peanut INSISTED that I ride it with her.  Told me I'd love it, and just HAD to try it.  So, I went and got back in line with her while Butter and Jelly stood watch.  

When it was our turn to get in to the car, I jumped in and started to get buckled.  But, there was a problem. The seatbelt that first straps you in wouldn't go around my waist.  Now, I'm a good sized gal, but I have NEVER been on a roller-coaster, or any ride for that matter, in which I was too fat to ride.  NEVER.  And, even though I've gained a few pounds in the past few months, I still didn't consider myself too big to ride on anything.  But, apparently, my prayers were answered with the Big Man, and I wasn't getting on this ride.  

But the minute I had to walk away, not being able to ride, I started to get that urge to want to ride.  Isn't that the way it goes?  I was a little angry that I couldn't.  Angry at myself for being too big, angry at the park for limiting the constraints to not allow someone of my size (which is not exactly ginormous) to get on.  And, the whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth and made me start questioning my ability to get on other rides with my kids.  I mean, I knew I could get on the other rides.. I rode them only 4 days ago (and I've even lost 3lbs since then) but just the whole thing with being "too fat" to ride on something made me question each ride's ability to hold my weight.  A nasty blow to my self-esteem, but also a nasty blow to the realization that I really need to start losing weight.

Anywho, I let the situation go, and we moved on to the next ride I wouldn't ride on Wednesday:  The Giant Barn Swing.  Peanut and Jelly had rode on it, Wednesday, but the giant swinging arms had made me feel a little nauseous just watching them.  It's an ordinary swing, that flew up you in to the air at great speeds, and then flew back down again.  UGH!!!  But I got on it. Because I had promised that I would.  And, it was OK.  It was fun.  But I had to keep my eyes closed for most of the ride.

The rest of the day was spent riding on all the rides we enjoyed, and having a great time.  The other giant roller-coaster we didn't get to ride on Wednesday had to be shut down because of the weather (another answered prayer) and so we made do with all the other thrill rides that remained open.  

By 4:30PM, the kids and I were all ready to call it a day and head to our resort.  By the time we made it through the gift shop and back to our car, it was around 5PM.  Just as we were leaving the park, we got stuck in some MAJOR traffic.  I knew it wasn't just the park traffic, because even though the park had seemed pretty busy, we hadn't waited in a single line for a ride all day long so I know it wasn't too bad.  Come to find out, there was a major wreck, which kept us all sitting in our car for over an hour.  Our resort was only 7 miles away from Silver Dollar City, but we didn't get here until 6:20PM.

Once we checked in and took all of our stuff to our room, we decided to head straight to dinner.  We chose one of the restaurants located at the resort, and had a great meal.  As soon as we were done, it was back to our room to get ready to head to the indoor water park.  

The indoor water park is nice.  It's small, and definitely more focused for the kids, but it wasn't too busy and we had a good time.  I lazed around on the Lazy River and in the jacuzzi pools, went down the slides a few times, and just relaxed while the kids went all over the place.  One thing I really liked is that nothing is deeper than 3FT deep, so Jelly could go pretty much anywhere she wanted and I didn't have to follow her around.  Great for me, and great for the kids.  They could do what they wanted to do, and I could do what I wanted to do.

We left the pool a little after 9PM, and it was straight back to our room for some much needed rest.  The kids all passed out pretty quick, as did I.  I didn't sleep very well, but I never do when I'm away from home.  I was up bright and early this morning in order to drink a cup of coffee and write my blog... like always. 

It's just about time to go wake up the kids for Day Two of our adventures.  But, I'll share more about that tomorrow.

We are having a GREAT time, and can't wait for more fun today!!

Why Can't I Ever Sleep When I REALLY Need To?

Yesterday, I took the kids out to buy all of our last minute items needed for our "getaway".  Travel sized bathroom supplies, new flip-flops, a couple of new outfits for each of them, new bathing suits for Peanut and Butter (Jelly just got two new ones from Grammy), and snacks and drinks for our hotel room.  We got home, packed everything that needed to be and could be packed, and I finished up the laundry I'd been doing.  

The family even decided to skip going to watch another firework display so that we'd have plenty of time to prepare and weren't rushing around at the last minute to get everything done.

All was good.  All was packed.  Got the kids to bed nice and early.  I decided to do the same and headed to bed around 10PM.  I set my alarm for 6AM, and that's when I laid there.  And laid there some more.  Turned on the TV for a while, watched a couple of episodes of Hell's Kitchen that I had on my DVR, and STILL after all that?  Could not "switch off" and didn't feel in the slightest bit tired.   

I got up, again, got myself something to drink, set the coffee pot up to go off this morning, went out on to the patio and listened to some fireworks that were still going off, spoke to an old friend on Facebook for a little while, and finally decided to give sleep another try.  It was after midnight by this time.  

I eventually dozed off, but I have no idea how long it took me.  By the way I feel this morning, apparently a while.  I felt like I just closed my eyes when the buzzer on my alarm went off.  And, I'm suppose to be driving to Branson and spending the day at a theme park.  Nice, right?

But, that's how it goes with me.  When I don't need to sleep, I can sleep for 12 hours at a time.  When I really need to sleep? Lucky if I get 5 hours.  

Isn't that what vacation is all about, though?  Hardly any sleep, crammed in fun, coming home exhausted and in need of a vacation just to get over the vacation?

Regardless of feeling extremely tired this morning, I am ready and excited to get going.  I've spent the past couple of days psyching myself up to get on the two roller-coasters I didn't ride on Wednesday, and the Giant Barn Swing that Peanut has been begging me to at least try.  And so, I'm just kind of ready to get those things out of the way so that I can at least relax, and enjoy the other rides without being too terrified of what's yet to come.  We did everything else on Wednesday, so now it's a day (post two GIANT roller-coasters) I can ride the rides that I was so terrified about, and just enjoy my day.

For someone as scared as heights as I am, I do get on some crazy high thrill rides.  I spend the whole time feeling queasy, shaking, and on the verge of a panic attack.  Then, once I'm on the ride and in the middle of the rush of adrenaline that courses through my veins, I get off the ride ready to go through the queasy, shaking, panic stricken rush all over again.  

And, even though I can get on a ride time and time again, there's never ENOUGH times to take that slight fear away.

Weird, right?

I know that the fear isn't directly to do with heights.  Sure, the heights make me a little weak in the knees, but  the majority of the fear has nothing to do with the heights or even me at all.  Half of my fear comes from not wanting one or two of my children to ride the rides alone, and the other fear comes from getting on one of those rides while I still have one or two children watching me.  Sure, I don't like the heights, but that's not what really keeps me off the rides.  If my fear was that bad, there's no way I'd climb into a seat that chugs up to a 150 feet before plummeting me back down to earth at 60+MPH.  No, the real fear comes from the fact that I can never shake the feeling that something might happen either to me and the kid(s) riding with me, and the kids left off the ride will be abandoned and lonely, scared out of their mind.  

I guess that's why I was so brave at Worlds of Fun when I went in May.  I didn't have near the fear level I had on Wednesday, and got on EVERY. SINGLE. RIDE the teenagers that were with me got on to.  Because they were all with me.  Right there, sitting right around me.  I had nobody standing and watching, waiting to make sure I make it off.

But, I'll get through it.  I'll face my fears.  I'll have an amazing time, and make sure that my kids have an absolute blast.

Which I better get to doing... because it's just about time to leave and I'm still sitting in my PJs.

I'm taking my iPad with me, and I'm thinking I'll be blogging in the evenings.. but no promises.

Have a great Sunday, everyone!!  And keep us all in your thoughts as I tackle crazy thrill rides, will ya?

I Have Some Serious Thrill Seekers on My Hands

                                      

The day finally arrived.  Our first ever family trip to Silver Dollar City was upon us, and the kids couldn't have been more excited.  We were up at 6AM and out the door a little after 7AM for our two hour drive to Branson.  We made a quick pit stop at McDonald's for some breakfast and another for some drinks, and then it was time to face the open road.  

Silly me made a wrong turn in Cassville, so we ended up taking the "scenic route" to get to Branson, with roads that resembled the roller-coasters we were going to face once arriving, but we made it there safe and sound...and ready for FUN!!

We arrived a little before 10AM and I was shocked at the line of cars waiting to get in to the park, as well as the amount of cars that were already parked.  Droves of people were walking up the hill to get inside, which made me think that it was going to be quite the busy day.  We got through the ticket line, took a bathroom break, and then it was on to find our first ride for the day.

The first ride we came to was Thunderation.  A mine-train style roller-coaster that soars up to 81 feet and rumbles along over 50MPH.  What a way to get the day started!!

Now, had it just been Butter and Peanut with me, this type of start wouldn't have bothered me that much.  But, Jelly was also with us.  She has NEVER been on any form of theme park ride.  She's been to fairs and rode the kiddie rides, but a theme park? No.  A rollar-coaster?  Definitely not.  Yet, as she ran up to the height checker, and let out her glee of excitement that she was tall enough to ride, I realized I had to swallow my own fears and let her try out what she was capable of handling on her own.  The worst and best part about Thunderation is that you can't see the ride from anywhere but ON the ride.  It's hidden behind a wall of trees and disappears out away from view.  And there was no line waiting to get on, so I didn't even have a chance to try and convince her that maybe she try something a little smaller and work her way up.

I sat down next to her on the seat and tried to swallow my panic as she looked at me with pure excitement and nervous energy in her eyes.  Then, we were off.  We zipped and zagged on the CRAZY fast tracks, up and over 81ft high drops, and twirled and twisted for what felt like an eternity.  But, the whole time, I would have paid money to capture the laughs on video that were escaping from my 6 year old's mouth.  I've NEVER seen or heard her laugh so hard in her whole life.  She loved EVERY.  SINGLE. SECOND.  She even asked to pose with her sister outside the ride entrance to document that she'd faced her first ever roller-coaster which also happened to be her first ever ride.

                                

After that, I was ready for something a little less fast, but the girls were in control.  I quickly realized that I was the proud mother of two thrill seeking girls, and they wanted FAST.  Butter is also somewhat of a thrill seeker. He likes the roller-coasters, but not too big a fan of anything that spins at a great speed.  So, when the girls saw their next destination, both Butter and I opted out to let the girls have at it.

This crazy thing...

                                            

                                 

                                  

It spins while hurling them up and down across a curved track that goes over 40 feet in the air.  There's no way of seeing how fast it spins from the pictures, but that thing was FAST.  And, as I stood there having a minor panic attack about my 6 year old doing something so crazy, I couldn't help but nervously laugh at the fact I could hear her laughing over all the screams coming from the much bigger people on the ride.

Later in the day, Jelly finally managed to talk me into getting on it.  I had to close my eyes several times because it felt like I was going to crash in to the trees and the spectators, and the height made me a little queasy, but Jelly just laughed at me.  

But, that ride was NOTHING compared to the next big ride Jelly and Peanut decided to try out.  The Great Barn Swing.  When I saw it, I'm pretty sure I puked a little.  If not literally, the urge was definitely there.  A monstrous swing that flies up to where you almost go upside down, and hurls you back down in a swinging motion.  Concoctions of saying "No" came out of my mouth.  That may or may not have contained a few expletives.  But Peanut and Jelly were already in line before I could press the absolute TERROR the ride gave me just watching it.

As the ride started to swing, out came Jelly's sounds of glee and excitement.  But, as the ride started swinging higher and higher, I started to see some fear move across her face.  I watched as Peanut held Jelly's hands, and talk to her even though I have no idea what she was saying.    

Here they are on the crazy swing...

                             

I was able to see Jelly's face long enough to know that she was not having a good time, and that she didn't like it, yet there was nothing I could do.  I just had to watch, my insides pounding me with guilt and frustration that told me my child was scared, yet being totally helpless to comfort her.  Finally, the ride stopped.  And I thought Jelly would come flying out so that I could wrap her in my arms and assure her that she was safe, and how I would never allow her sister to talk me in to something so stupid again.

That's not what happened.

Instead, out walked a perfectly fine Jelly with a smile on her face.  What the WHAT?

She fessed up that she hadn't liked it, but Peanut had comforted her and talked to her the whole time making her feel better.   She admitted that she'd been scared, but Peanut had reminded her that it would soon be over.  And, Jelly got off that ride able to weigh the thrill she'd just experienced and was perfectly OK with it.  She'd tried it, didn't like it, and was ready to move on to the next...whatever that maybe.

And so our journey continued to more rides, more thrills, and more of me panicking and watching as ALL of my children tested their theme park legs out on the crazy rides that awaited them.  

We got soaking wet on the water rides, we rode Thunderation several times, we rode many of the rides several times.  The lines were short, the weather was beautiful, and we just had an absolute blast.  

Peanut, Butter, and myself did get on WildFire.  A roller-coaster that climbs up over 15 stories and plummets you down at 66MPH through loops and rolls...all of which are built on the edge of a giant hillside that gives MILES of view.  A view I didn't take one second to look at, because you know... scared of heights.  But, the coaster was AWESOME, and we did ride it a few times.  Thank goodness Jelly wasn't tall enough to ride it, because I would have had a serious panic attack letting her on that thing.

My niece had come along with us, and she wasn't up to the same thrills and chills my own children were up for.  But, she seemed to enjoy the rides she did get on, and she was great in helping out with staying with Jelly when the other two kids and myself gave WildFire a try...all three times.  

We didn't end up leaving until 7PM, which is when the park closed.  Eight hours of rides, fears, and pure exhilaration.

We got home around 10PM, and all the kids were asleep before their heads hit the pillows.  They were exhausted, as was I.  I also slept like a rock, and woke up this morning feeling the MILES of walking we did yesterday.

Jelly woke up and rushed in to my room to announce how many days it was until we go back.  Three.  Yes, we're going back on Sunday, but this time we're going to get to stay in Branson for a few days.  Hubby won't be going with us, he's much more excited about a few days to himself at home, but the kids and I will be theme parking, water parking, and show watching for a few days without him.

And, now that the initial fear and shock has passed about how much my kids are in to thrill seeking, I should be a lot more calm and ready to enjoy all of it with them again.

Now, on to July 4th festivities....YAY FOR SUMMER!!!