July 4th Firsts

This 4^th of July, we decided TJ was ready to get the real holiday experience.  This is Mommy’s favorite holiday, and so it was exciting to finally be able to celebrate it with Mr. Man.

We started the day with an “old town” Main Street parade in Half Moon Bay.  It was a 30 minute drive, but well worth it.  The parade had a small-town feel, which Mommy really liked, and it was the perfect size for TJ’s first parade. 

He loved the fire trucks and the 200+ dogs in the pooches parade.  He waved his flag and waved his hand to all the marchers and floats.  Of course, his favorite part was getting a couple handfuls of candy that were thrown at him.

After the parade we headed back home for lunch and a nap… then it was time to venture into the city for the fireworks show along the bay.  Since it was TJ’s first, we decided to brave the crowds and make sure it was a spectacular show.  And it was.  Luckily, Mommy has a parking spot at work, and it’s just a few blocks from Pier 39.  It was nice to park there so we didn’t have to battle for parking.  We found a nice spot on the grass near the Aquarium by the Bay, and waited and waited for the fireworks to start.

TJ was wired!  We’re not sure if it was the excitement of being out late, all the people, the cotton candy or a combination of it all, but he was non-stop.  He ran and ran and ran.  He giggled and giggled and giggled.  He was such a joy to watch, even though it was exhausting trying to keep up with him.

And when the fireworks started… he was in awe.  He smiled with his whole face.  He yelled out the colors of the fireworks.  “That’s a blue one!  That’s a red one!  That’s a BIG one!”  He said, “oooohhh… ahhhh” with Mommy.  He loved every minute of it.

It was a perfect way to spend the holiday as a family.