The makings of a happy 4th

"Maybe he can go with me to see the fireworks later!?"  our 5-year old neighbor boy says, pointing to his buddy, my little son. "Or is he afraid?  My Mom says I was afraid of them when I was a baby."

"Yeah, he won't be going to see fireworks this year. He's afraid of the blender," I respond.

"And the garbage disposal?" he asks, with obvious understanding.

"I tell him when I'm going to turn it on and he runs out of the room."

So we didn't go to see any fireworks, but we did go to a neighboring town's pre-fireworks festivities. The parking lot was jammed, and people were staking claim to spots on the lawn at 6p.m. when we arrived. There were coolers and tail-gaters, balloons, and lots and lots of people.

We sat down with some very bad food, and listened to a very loud, and not-so-great young rock band.  I looked around and saw way too much flesh and makeup for my taste.  Wandering over to the children's area was a welcome change of scenery. My hubby and I had had similar thoughts during our dinner-time people-watching. As he succinctly put it, there really is an obesity epidemic in this country.

This town event was held at a park with a wonderful playground. Add to that a petting zoo, pony and train rides, a giant inflatable Bob the Builder bouncy room and slide, and you have what may as well have been Disney World to our little boy. Best of all, it was all free. Well, compliments of the tax-payers, of course. And it was a blast.

The big hit? The "train." A lawn tractor disguised as a train engine pulled a few cars around a field. We rode it three times.  But three hundred times wouldn't have been too many times for my son. I think he'd have happily spent the whole night there ('til the fireworks of course).

When we left, the partying on the lawn was really gearing up. I wonder if they have sobriety checks when everyone leaves?

The beauty of watching fireworks on TV is that you can "visit" Washington DC, New York, and Boston, all with the click of the remote. I got a kick out of seeing the conductor for the Boston Pops sing along with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.  We decided Tyler's voice is shot -- did anyone else watch? And I wanted to see what Dr. Phil would be like as emcee. He (and Robin) cracked me up, since it was so obvious he was reading off the monitor.  I guess you've made it to national icon when you're asked to host a July 4th show, huh? If that's the case, why Jason Alexander? (I think that was Washington show.) I take it Oprah was busy?

Anyway...

Happy birthday, US of A! Cheers to the next 230 years...

Comments

[Kristi]

I prefer watching fireworks on TV too. No crowds, and a great view! And your little guy and my cats have a great deal in common, apparently. They hide under beds and couches during the fireworks, which we can hear from my house. Not to mention those set off my the delinquents in my neighborhood. ;)

[Sarcasmom]

We are taking the Cutie Patootie to his first baseball game. His Mom is coming as well. Hubby gets primo seats from his boss now and then. Tonight there are fireworks after the game. I don't know if we'll last that long, or what he will think. Keep your fingers crossed. At this point I am hoping it's not rained out.

[raehan]

We styed home, too.

I didn't even make it throught the tv version of fireworks.

[InterstellarLass]

I heard fireworks in the distance. But we stayed in. We watched The Patriot. Better than fireworkds.

[Lisa]

We were at a party and the neighbor had bought some on his way home from FL in the spring. Yeah, he knew they were illegal. I kept looking behind us, just waiting for State Trooper cars to come flying in. LOL No one did, and they were cute. We usually go to a little town about 20 minutes away to see them, but I'm glad we didn't this year. After swimming and eating all day, I was beat!

Too much flesh and makeup - that's exactly how I felt when we went to Seabreeze on Friday. WTH? I guess I'm just getting old...although there were people older than me with too much flesh and makeup. ;)

[Marie]

Kristi,
Oh yeah. We had a bunch in our neighborhood too!

Sarcasmom,
How'd it go? I'll have to come over & find out!

Raehan,
I fell asleep too!

Lass,
I've still never seen that movie.

Lisa,
I love love love Seabreeze! Yep, it was older people I saw too...

[Marie]

I saw the Boston Pops! Can't miss my annual Keith Lockhart fix--I love his music (i.e. watching him!) LOL Fortunately, DH understands our forbidden love. ROFL.

I thought Tyler's first set was awful--which is unfortunate, since I was really looking forward to hearing "Dream On" w/ full orchestra. Oh well. 2nd set was a little better, though. Still, as DH says, "what is he, like 80??"

Sounds like you had a great 4th!

[Marie]

Marie R.,
Seriously! How old is he?! & how about Lockhart? He looked like a cute kid!