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Our Fourth Of July 2018!

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EvaAmurri Martino, Kyle Martino, Marlowe Martino, and Major Martino post together at a family fourth of july party wearing red white and blue

I hope everyone had a fantastic fourth, and really enjoyed a nice midweek day off! Our family had such a nice, lowkey holiday this year– it really ended up being one of my favorites ever.  I put my cell phone away for almost the entire day, which I think contributed a lot to the overall relaxed feeling.  It made me realize how nice it is to pick a day every now and then to just unplug and be together. I did have my camera, though! And I thought it would be fun to show you guys pictures from the day and take you through our family holiday.

Marlowe Martino wears a fourth of july themed flik flak watch

The day started with a little gift for the kiddos– Fourth Of July Flik Flak watches! I placed the watches and some patriotic pinwheels at each of the kids’ place settings for them to find when they came downstairs for breakfast.  They were so excited! And Marlowe definitely “knew” the time all day long. LOL.  Major refused to put his on, and just liked holding it. Maybe he’s a pocket watch kinda guy. Next, we decorated our driveway! I have a newfound love for chalk paint, and we had such a blast painting.  At 8:30 am it was already 80 degrees and humid beyond belief.  It was clear that it was going to be a scorcher!

Eva Amurri Martino decorates her driveway for the fourth of july with her children Marlowe and Major

Eva Amurri Martino decorates her driveway for the fourth of july with her children Marlowe and Major

Major Martino paints with chalk paint in the driveway of his Connecticut home on the fourth of july

Eva Amurri Martino wears a red white and blue romper, and blows on a pinwheel on the fourth of july at home in Connecticut

Eva Amurri Martino decorates her driveway for the fourth of july with her children Marlowe and Major

I really wanted for the kids to get a taste of some Fourth Of July community celebration, so we decided to go to a local kids’ bike parade! We were two minutes late (it was a VERY prompt bike parade), but we eventually caught up to the crew and discovered a really cute lawn party in front of the local library.  There was a hot dog truck, ice cream truck, and traditional games like potato sack races and tug o’war.  It was also a zillion degrees and about 150% humidity, so we didn’t stay too long.

Marlowe Martino wears a red Janie and Jack romper for the fourth of july

Marlowe and Major Martino ride their scooter and car on the fourth of july

Marlowe Martino arrives at the kids' fourth of july bike parade in Southport, CT

Eva Amurri Martino ties a red bandana around her bun on the fourth of july

Major Martino and Kyle Martino wear red white and blue on the fourth of july in Connecticut

Marlowe Martino wears a red romper and explores a fourth of july lawn party

Major Martino wears a white and blue hawaiian shirt and plays with a hula hoop at a fourth of july lawn party

Major Martino admires a festively decorated fourth of july bike at a party in Connecticut

We met up with my friend Stephanie of The Girl Guide, and her adorable family, and had some lunch and ice cream! Her two boys are each slightly younger than my two kiddos so it’s a pretty perfect dynamic.  It’s also so adorable seeing our two little blondes together. Ha! Afterwards, we took the kids home so Major could take a nap and we could all sit in the air conditioning for a while.  Ohhhh baby, do I love air conditioning! LOL.

Marlowe Martino scooters around the parking lot at a fourth of july party

Kyle Martino holds Major Martino on the fourth of july in Connecticut

Marlowe and Major Martino pose with friends at Milkbar in Connecticut on the fourth of july

Marlowe and Major Martino get ready to have ice cream at Milkbar in Connecticut on the Fourth of july

Marlowe and Major martino investigate the ice cream parlour on the fourth of july

Eva Amurri Martino holds Major Martino, wearing red white and blue on the fourth of july in Connecticut

Marlowe martino tucks in to a s'mores sundae at Milkbar in connecticut on the fourth of july

Eva Amurri Martino sits with Marlowe Martino outside of Milkcraft in Connecticut on the fourth of july

Marlowe Martino wears a red romper and eats ice cream with a friend on the fourth of july

After recharging at home for a few hours, we went to our friend’s house for the most fun and yummy fourth of july party! It was only about 5 couples and a bunch of kiddos all around the same age, and we all had an absolute blast.  The food was delicious (pork bbq sliders, burgers, hotdogs, salad, and veggies on the grill) and the rosé was flowing.  The kids all loved hanging out together, and Marlowe even got to hold her first sparkler! (Supervised, obviously) It got so hot and sticky at one point that the kids even stripped down and had a little naked sprinkler party– which you can do when you live in the woods in Connecticut! LOL. It was so nice just to relax with great friends and enjoy the day.  My kids both stayed up waaaay past their bedtimes.  Marlowe didn’t go to sleep until 9:30! But it was definitely worth it.  I think my favorite part of the whole day was just watching my kids running around being kids.  Childhood goes by so fast, and it’s been so moving to me to watch my kids really enjoying theirs.  I’m thankful today and every day for that!

Eva Amurri Martino wears a red top and patterned blue and white shorts, and sits on the steps in her backyard on the fourth of july

Eva and Marlowe Martino walk through their backyard wearing red white and blue on the fourth of july

A garden party setup on the fourth of July

Marlowe Martino sits beside some daffodils wearing a red white and blue dress on the fourth of july

A garden party setup in connecticut on the fourth of july

A garden party setup in Connecticut on the fourth of july

Major Martino wears a blue polo shirt and checked pants in connecticut on the fourth of july

Marlowe Martino poses with a friend at a fourth of july party

Marlowe Martino holds a sparkler on the fourth of july

Delicious food and hamburger fixings sit on a red and white checked tablecloth at a garden party on the fourth of july

Major Martino stands with a white dog on the fourth of july

Major Martino wears white and blue checked pants and stands with a little girl on the fourth of july in Connecticut

Major Martino gets a hug from a sweet little girl on the fourth of july in Connecticut

 

I hope you had an amazing time this year– let me know your favorite part of your Fourth of July in the comments below!

 

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14 Comments

  1. Iruna Visan says:

    Happy (post) 4th of July! My favorite part is the last photo of Majie and his girlfriend ??? I am dying! Mama, you got a little heartthrob there.

    07.05.18 Reply
    • Hahahah I know right?! I just had to include that little love sesh! 😉

      07.10.18 Reply
  2. Julia says:

    My favorite part was totally a surprise to me! I LOVED the freedom of getting a little “extra” with my lewk. I got a funny t-shirt and did my hair in two floofy little buns and it made me feel so festive and ready to party! (the 10 hours of drinking may have also contributed to my festiveness…. but I think it was mainly the buns ?)

    07.05.18 Reply
  3. Lorrie Fontana says:

    Great pics! Loved the pictures of your kiddos with their friends?

    07.05.18 Reply
  4. Carole says:

    I think the best gift you can give your kids is a day when they can play outside and just be kids! I’m really glad to see that the day brought such simplicity to your family & friends. Every holiday does not need a WOW factor — simple is great!

    07.05.18 Reply
  5. Jill says:

    TY for sharing your beautiful family pix. You look so relaxed! I agree 100% abt unplugging from phones and technology regularly.

    Celebrations with loved ones make THE best holidays + memories!

    You all looked so cute and patriotic. Love the photo of Major and his lil friend at their kiddie table with the dog photobombing it while licking his lips eyeing the kids’ plates!

    Simply s lovely family Eva!

    07.05.18 Reply
    • Thanks! It really was such a nice way to spend the holiday 🙂

      07.10.18 Reply
  6. Andrea says:

    We moved to a new neighborhood a few months ago and every 3rd of July the cul de sac next to ours invites the surrounding cul de sacs. Each family brings a treat and a big aerial firework! I thought it was going to a nice little get together but a couple hundred people show up and everyone goes all out! There was a cotton candy machine, an ice cream float station, a bunch of tables full of food, a million kids running around with glow sticks. When it got dark they turned the speakers up and blasted America themed songs while a couple of dads took turns lighting off the fireworks. I thought it was terrific but it was special because my little boy is 5 and this is probably the first 4th of July celebration that he’ll remember. I’m so grateful that his childhood will be filled with such special memories!

    07.05.18 Reply
    • Whoa that sounds SO EPIC!! What a great way to celebrate with your community

      07.10.18 Reply
  7. Laura says:

    Such a lovely post. I just love that you unplugged and spent such loving quality time with the family. I think that’s a really good idea and one that I’m going to instill in my own household. My hubs and I are always on our phones and it’s just nice sometimes to put those things away and get down on the floor with the kiddos. Thanks for sharing. Your family is lovely, as always. 🙂

    07.06.18 Reply
    • Yes, I think it’s more realistic to pick and choose certain times and events instead of just trying to implement an all-around “less tech” policy. A holiday is a great time to test it out!

      07.10.18 Reply