4th of July Fun

So, the 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays.  The nostalgia I get when thinking about being at my parents house year after year brings a quick smile to my face.... My mom chatting it up with whomever happens to be in the kitchen at the moment while she makes her famous potato salad, marching me out to her flower garden to show me all her precious new blooms, my dad constantly yelling, "CLOSE THE SCREEN DOOR!" while taking in the chaos quietly as he tries to go about his business, and,of course, nieces and nephews running up and the down the stairs playing and running through sprinklers and begging parents to at least let them start the day time fireworks while examining and anticipating the excitement of the "night time fire works" yet to come brings such warm memories to the surface.  

Finally, our night would kick off with our small stash of strategically bought fireworks (because they're so darn expensive!) being lit in the driveway. Nieces and nephews taking turns lighting them of course.  Our small smorgasbord of fireworks never lasted long but never failed us either.  All the memories of all the small snafus that notoriously happened every year are so cherished.  Such as, the rogue firework that sends all of us flying from our seats or the suspected "dud" that goes off unexpectedly.  

These things have always made July 4th one of my favorite holidays but, until being a mother, I didn't realize how baby UNfriendly the celebrations of July 4th are!  

So this year, we spent the 4th of July enjoying time as a family around the house but no fireworks were purchased as I knew that we would be spending the time when fireworks are lit and enjoyed trying to get our little one to sleep.  

Quincey actually did quite well.  There were lots and lots of loud booms throughout our neighborhood that I thought would surely wake her but every time I ran up there to see, she was still asleep. But, I swore if one of those fireworks woke my sleeping baby I would have words with the perpetrator. Of course that was said out of desperation but I now have great respect for moms that have a toddler to entertain, a young child to help with fireworks, and a sleeping baby to maintain.  Those moms, on the 4th, are super women because it was enough work just to try to get Quincey to sleep.

4th of July's have definitely changed for me but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Someday not too far away, she will likely be running around asking papa to light her smoke bomb while throwing snap pops everywhere.  Can't wait!