July 4

I am a bit behind in everything...mostly because I am actually enjoying summer vacation along with my kids instead of tackling the "to do" list. It took almost a decade, but I am starting to learn!

July 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays. I just love fireworks (much to my oldest son's dislike, that Katy Perry Firework song is one of my favorites too), hot summer weather, picnic food, and time with family. All the things that go right along with the Fourth!

This year we decided to take the Fourth in stride. We didn’t plan a lot and just hung out at home with the kids. Our air conditioning was out (that is another story for another day), the day was hot, and so we really had no choice but to take things slow. The house got up to 90 degrees so there was no way we could sleep or stay inside which meant everyone went to the fireworks this year. It was the first time we all were able to go…everyone was old enough and healthy enough!

The evening was perfect firework weather…not a cloud in the sky and hot! We set up our chairs and gave the kids some glow sticks to entertain themselves while we waited for the first boom. They chased each other and the neighbor boys who joined us. The lightening bugs began to glow and they chased them as well (in this idyllic rendition of the story, I will leave out one of my children running into street to see his friend and almost getting run over). The boom and flash of color began in the sky and each child settled in quietly to watch. They commented on the grandeur of each flash of light, seeing things in the ways only kids can see. After 20 minutes or so, the sky filled with color and the booms could be felt in your chest as the show came to an end. With eyes wide open and big smiles on their faces, the children cheered. Everyone was happy and content for one brief minute.

The feeling lasted a whole 5 minutes until Zachary’s glow stick exploded on him in the car. Each splatter mark glowed and he had a glowing streak down the middle of his hair. The magic may have been gone from the evening, but at least it ended with a pretty good laugh.