We had a little photoshoot on the morning of the fourth, since we were stuck at home. Poor Trixie decided to drop 3/4 of her exhaust system into the road 35.8 miles from home on Monday afternoon. So I drove to A's to pick up the Junior Miss and then drove home, white knuckled, convinced that a.) Miss E would die of carbon monoxide poisoning en route and b.) sparks from the dragging pipe would set the entire car on fire. I think the headache from the stress and roaring engine is FINALLY gone. How much do I want a new car? So much. I mean, the Fit is GO! But so is not having a car payment... Anyhoo...no car meant hanging at home til Bill finished his morning trip and then we went to Pburgh to pick up my laptop in anticipation of a few days at home working and then went to Border's and Gander Mt. Yes, celebrate independence by consuming. How American.

Anyway, I got three books for summer vacation (ONLY 10 OR 11 working days til...not sure if I will work on the Friday before) and I've read more than half of one already...Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld. LOVE IT. Miss Eva got a bigger camo onesie (courtesy of her dad...) and a pair of sunglasses the she refuses to keep on. Then on the way home, we stopped at the camp to pick wildflowers and pick up explosive materials. Bill started thinking about when Miss E is older and he was imagining how cool it would be to have her as a skeet shooting partner and how good she'll be and how much fun they will have. It was cute.

We went to Steinhoff's for dinner with our pal Rachel, the amazing artist and fishing guide. And avoided fireworks, and most likely, tears from E.

Which reminds me...on Monday (i hit the mall then too, I needed an anniversary card for Bill...) I saw a tiny baby (two months, TOPS) crying hysterically in pain. (It's amazing how after a few weeks, we became so fluent in baby crying and its meanings!) Why? Mom was getting her tiny little ears pierced. I never cared one way or anther about this before, but it KILLED me. I mean, I got an awful feeling in my stomach seeing that poor thing. Why????