Fireworks and Fun

I can't remember the last time we went to see fireworks on the 4th of July. Having two small children the past several years made it difficult for us to go watch fireworks because chances are they would be asleep by the time they went off. This year we decided they were finally old enough to stay up and enjoy the fireworks. Luckily, they both took a nap yesterday which made the evening all the more pleasurable for all of us. We decided to skip the local fireworks and venture out to the big fireworks show - Downtown West Palm Beach. First we went to dinner at Cheesecake Factory and then met up with our friends Mike and Thursa and their son Ian. It turned out to be a fantastic evening and the fireworks were spectacular. Here are some of the highlights (in pictures):

Dinner at Cheesecake
We managed to get a good picture of everyone, too bad we're not all in one photo

The fireworks were launched on the intercoastal and all the festivities were on Flagler Drive. They had a kids area where we hung out for a little bit to pass the time before the fireworks. Allison had fun playing some games:

Allison, Daniel and Ian checking out their new bells

Jeff and Mike just hanging out (I wish I had remembered to take a picture of Thursa and I!)

Allison in front of the pirate ship
The "kids" playing with bubbles
Hanging out waiting for the fireworks
There was going to be some loud noises because they pirate ship behind us was putting on a show so we told the kids to cover their ears. Daniel was a little confused by what he was supposed to do.
Almost fireworks time
Our view, framed by two palm trees
Allison, Ian and Daniel waving their flags
Another cool thing we got to see was on the building behind us. A few firemen repelled down the side of the building and unrolled an American flag

We took some pictures of the fireworks, but as you know, fireworks are best experienced in person so I won't bore you with the pictures. The kids really enjoyed the show. I was holding Daniel and kept looking over to see a smile on his face. Every time a firework went off, he told me all the colors he saw and every now and then he would just say "Wow!" Allison enjoyed them as well, with a great view from daddy's shoulders. Of course the hardest part is afterwards trying to get out of the parking garage. It wasn't too bad and while we were waiting in traffic, I asked the kids what they thought about the fireworks. Here's what they had to say: