The Magic of the Fourth
I love the Fourth of July. It's all about tradition for me; tradition and family. This is the only holiday I spend with my parents and sister, which probably makes it all the more special. The only thing that'd make it better would be having Eric's family here as well, then we'd have all of our loved ones around. We tried hard for this year and it has happened before... So I'm super hopeful it'll happen again.
2009's celebration started just as it does every year -- at 8 AM sharp for our annual Horribles Parade. As always, it was pretty silly, even though it did not make national news. All of the traditional groups marched -- from the lawn chair brigade and the steel drum Jamaican band to the kids' decorated bikes group and so many more. I love them all!
Once again, Auntie Liz and the cousins created a masterpiece for a float with some friends. This year's was based on the recent Pixar movie Up and it highlighted varied "up and down" moments of our town's government and events. I have no idea how they blew up all of those balloons but believe a consumed beverage or two might have helped along the way!
It's always fun seeing and reading the floats (which carry satirical and political messages in many cases), especially when friends are riding along -- it's a sure guarantee for an extra toss of candy. Jack thinks he'd like to join the cousins next year and Eric's always suggesting that our kids decorate their bikes and ride (the group is made up of moms and kids from my mothers' club) but in the end everyone always opts to hang out and watch, probably for the candy!
Once the parade was done, we enjoyed coffee and such at my family's home with a group of their friends and ours. We watched a bit of the town's old timer's ballgame right from their deck, while munching on coffee cake, bagels and fruit. Here's my dad and our friend Sally taking in an inning -- close your ears, the words fly as much as the balls!
During the visit, Eric raced to the beach to claim our spot, then back to get us so we could pack up. I don't think he understood the specialness (i.e., sacredness) of this day's events early in our relationship, but he totally buys into it now, and I'm so happy he does. We had the BEST spot ever, conveniently located near the bathhouse (translated: bathrooms, showers, store). It was all his idea, spending the entire day at the beach, from morning until fireworks, no convincing needed anymore!
It was the first time we'd done that with the kids, usually we go home mid afternoon then return after dinner, but they're at great ages now and we decided to just go for it. The kids did great, in spite of the long day, and thanked us on more than one occasion for the best day ever!
The day was filled with silliness and fun, sand castles and races, but before long it was time to shower and dress for dinner. We grilled steak tips, burgers and dogs, and drank a whole lot more... The deejay played song after song, and the kids did a bit of dancing, a few grown-ups, too. Sand was everywhere!! And they got slushees -- two times, the lucky ducks! Hey, it was a special day, right!
Finally, though, it was time for the fireworks! And fireworks it was! Boom! Zip! Boom-boom! Jack and Audrey had memories of other year's and Will might have also. The boys sat with Grampy and the girls were with Grammie, so I got to hold my sweetie's hand in the dark while the magic flashed overhead.
Yeah, for some people it's all about Thanksgiving and Christmas... but for me, it's the magic of the Fourth!