The Perfect 3 Days

I just love holidays.
But I especially love the 4th of July. And it was nice that it fell on a Sunday this year, thus creating a 3 day weekend.
And we packed those 3 days as full as we could.
It was perfect. Plenty of rest, but plenty of fun.
Here's how we spent it:
Friday the 2nd was Haley's Official 10th birthday. We celebrated by going to PF Changs and then going back to our house to enjoy Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcakes. Did I mention Haley made the cupcakes from scratch by herself? That's right- she made her own birthday cupcakes! And they were delicious. Everyone loved them and she loved making them.

We woke up Saturday morning and didn't do too much as we had a busy day ahead.
At 12:30, we left to go to the American Girl Store at Northpoint Mall for lunch and shopping.
If you have never been to AG, it is quite an experience. Dolls everywhere! And clothes and miniature shoes and more dolls. And they have a hair salon for the dolls. Haley and her two friends had their doll's hair styled while we were there. That was interesting- comical to say the least.
We then had a very fancy lunch at the American Girl Bistro. I have to say I was impressed. I wasn't expecting much, but the food was good, the service was great and they made Haley feel really special with an awesome cake and all kinds of goodies. It was pricey, but worth it in my book. I must say, I enjoy spoiling her.
After lunch, we shopped a little more and headed home with the girls. They went home late that evening, right in time for our friends "Super Six" to come over.
The 6 of us had an all too familiar dinner at Waffle House and then set up camp in our living room.
There is nothing like a bunch of 30 somethings (and Bethany in her 20s) sprawled out on a living room floor in sleeping bags. It's just like a bunch of teenagers- except for the snoring of course!
We had gitty conversation and by midnight, we were all asleep.
The next morning was early. 6:00 AM. But we were on a mission. So getting up wasn't as painful as it might have been otherwise.
We had to get Evan to the start of the Peachtree Road Race. And our plan was executed flawlessly. We were able to get him very close to the start, encountered no traffic, and made it to Piedmont Park in plenty of time to set up camp to watch the race.
I was amusing to see the 5 of us crammed in our truck to drop Evan off. I reminded him he should feel special since not many guys have an escort of 5 adults!
We had a blast watching the race. The favorite activity was "Count the American Flag shorts". We reached 100 pairs of unfortunate shorts before Evan had even started the race! Dear Peachtree Road Race participants- Maybe try and find something else for next year?

And of course, the highlight of the day was seeing Evan come over the top of the hill headed toward the finish line. I got a tear in my eye. I was so happy for him. So proud of him. And I couldn't help but see a whole year flash before me in that moment. He made it look easy as he ran by us. I know it wasn't easy, but I know that he was so determined that nothing was going to stop him from finishing.
And at the end of the race, I took a picture of Evan with Super Six right after he had finished. And in that moment, I captured all that is perfect in the amazing friendships we have formed. It would not have been the same if those 4 had not been there to share Evan's victory. I am so thankful for our friends, our true friends who are always there.
And the rest of the weekend was fireworks and food and friends.
Magical.
By far the coolest 4th of July weekend I could have asked for.
And I'm counting the days until next years 4th. Rumor has it more of Super Six is running the Peachtree next year. I'm fairly certain they can guarantee that Connie and I will be at the Finish to cheer them on.