Greetings From the Gilleys: Land That I Love

Monday, July 9, 2018

Land That I Love

The Fourth of July was fantastic! When you don’t have family around, your only option is to celebrate with friends and this year was one for the books! I happen to live in a place where block-parties still happen just like “the good old days!” (Picture the 4th of July scene from The Sandlot- that was us 100%!) I know this doesn’t happen anymore in most parts of the USA so it makes me extremely grateful for the community that I live in; a community where we DO get to experience nights like these. We had so many people at this block party and they ALL had a good time. People from all walks of life were there from newborns to those in their 70s and fun was had by all. The kids were all having the time of their lives, the parents were all able to sit back and relax and count our many blessings that come with living in this Great Country that we inhabit. At one point in the night I was looking around at all the different people in the cul-de-sac, and every single person had a smile on their face. It was one of the best Fourth of July’s I have ever had. We hired a food truck (and maaaaaybe street tacos aren’t super A'merican'😂, haha, but they were authentic and oh-so-delicious!) Everybody chipped in $10 per adult and there was unlimited food for all of the families! We ate until we were all bursting at the seams! I haven't had street tacos that good maybe ever! Then, the fireworks that we had were insane! Everybody brought in a LOT so we had hundreds of different kinds of fireworks and we were able to light them for three hours straight. It was so much fun! There were water balloon fights with the kids, there were slip n’ slides laid out, there were kitty pools filled up, there was music playing on loud speakers, and I think every single person would say it was the most perfect Fourth of July. We love this land that we get to call home, we love our country, we love our state, we love our city, and we love our neighbors! What more could you ask for?

I even did stars in the girls hair! Piper's is a big star so it's harder to see, but it was so much fun!

Sully is my first kid who, as a toddler, LOVES holding fireworks! The girls only liked them from a distance until they were about 5 (even sparklers!), but Sully couldn't get enough of them! Must be a boy thing :)