Happy Fourth of July!

This year we had our best Fourth of July yet, starting off with a morning boat trip around Long Beach Harbor.  The kids loved it, especially when we saw several sea lions napping in the sun on rocks and buoys.  Arthur was also very interested in spotting sea gulls, even though he was slightly disappointed that they weren't ducks.

 



 

 

Waiting to embark



Sleeping sea lion

 

After the short 45-minute boat ride, we took the kids to lunch, then over to the aquarium.  I had expected it to be packed on a holiday, but in fact there was almost no one there at all, so we got a lot of time to see things up-close, including their new deep-water exhibit of nautilus and giant isopods, two of Dev's favorite sea creatures. 

A nautilus from the new deep-ocean display

Hanging out with sea lions again

Excited about sharks


By the time we'd finished exploring the aquarium, it was time to head back to Amy and Evan's 4th of July party with Miller, Ivy R., Beatrice, Arthur, Finn, Ivy H., David, Donovan, and two new friends, Alice and another baby Ivy.  We started out with the wading pool and barbecue, and then once the sun set the kids made smores and lit sparklers in the backyard.

 

Finn and Donovan with sparklers

Beatrice with her sparkler


As it got closer to the Rose Bowl show, we all relocated to the front yard, where David's dad Mike delighted the kids with a little pre-show of sparklers and Roman candles.  Beatrice was so, so delighted by the fireworks, she told Mike he was "the best grown up ever."

Then we all watched the professional show until it ended a little before 10pm and it was time to go home. (Arthur kept demanding "more fireworks!" even after watching them for about an hour.)

 

 

On the drive home, Beatrice said, "My favorite part of the party was everything," before falling asleep in the car.