Our weekend began with thunderstorms, but we welcomed our southern family with open arms for an unforgettable Rockwall experience. The weekend was filled with fireworks, sophisticated food, and charming small-town moments.
Kickoff to Independence Day
Grilling in the Backyard
We started the celebrations with a backyard barbecue, grilling juicy, sizzling fajitas, bacon-wrapped jalapeños, and serving them with all the Mexican trimmings. For dessert, we baked chocolate chip cookies in the oven. After dinner, we found a perfect spot to watch our neighborhood’s annual Independence Day fireworks, a tradition I helped establish when I was managing our HOA committees.
A Special Visit from McLendon-Chisholm Fire Rescue
A Special Visit from McLendon-Chisholm Fire Rescue
Our local fire rescue team delighted the kids with photo opportunities and firemen hats. It was heartwarming to see neighbors out with lawn chairs, enjoying the show. The convenience of a neighborhood celebration is perfect for those who prefer not to travel far.
Family Fun and Games
Charades Challenge
The evening continued with a lively game of charades. We split into two teams, and the losing team had to do 10 push-ups—my team lost! Each adult wrote five charades prompts, which we placed in a fireman hat. The kids loved seeing everyone get into the game, especially after indulging in cookies and watermelon. Later, we wound down by streaming Boss Baby 2.
A Hearty Breakfast and Adventure
Breakfast of Champions
Saturday morning began with buttery blueberry waffles drizzled with real maple syrup, bacon, sausage, eggs, and French Press Black Rifle Coffee. After such a hearty breakfast, it was time for some adventure!
Urban Air Trampoline Park
We spent the early afternoon at Urban Air Trampoline Park, where the kids dived into the ball pit, tiptoed across the balance beam, and tackled the warrior obstacle course. Jason and I joined in, attempting the Wipe Out challenge—a rotating joust on a trampoline. It was a hilarious and exhausting experience! Watching Aaron and Autumn grapple with the courses was particularly fun.
Cooling Down and Evening Out
Swim Time
After hours of adventure, we cooled off at our community pool—a great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful Texas weather.
Cocktails & Bites at The Downing
In the evening, we headed to San Jacinto Square and stopped by The Downing | Bottles and Bites for drinks and appetizers. This quaint European market-style dining spot offered a perfect setting for our group. While the beer connoisseurs in our group enjoyed the Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout, I sampled a Sake Mule and a Japanese Mojito. Though the drinks were adventurous, next time, I’ll stick to ordering a bottle of wine.
The Downing Board and Fruit Plate
We shared a chef’s board with meats, cheeses, olives, nuts, and a honeycomb, which the kids paired with sweet tea. The lemony whipped yogurt dip that accompanied our fruit plate was a hit with everyone.
Dinner at Zanata
Late-Night Italian Feast
We wrapped up our day with a late dinner at Zanatas, known for its superb Italian Mediterranean cuisine. Despite a long wait for our table, the manager kept us informed, and the waitress appeased the hungry kids with a fruit plate. Our meal included handcrafted pizzas for the kids and dishes like Chicken Alfredo Llanito, Steak Diane, and my personal favorite, Roasted Sea Bass. Exhausted but content, we ended the night with a drive-thru dessert stop at Braum’s Ice Cream, catching glimpses of fireworks on our way home.
A Weekend to Remember
We had a bountiful and blessed weekend filled with family, fun, and fireworks. Cheers to those precious experiences and Happy Independence Day!