4th of July Eve

We started up a tradition a few years ago that we set off our own fireworks on the eve of the 4th and then on the 4th we go to the local fireworks show down at the river front. We don't normally have all the kids on the 4th, but it worked out this year that we did so we went ahead and spent a "little" moola and got some of the more "family friendly" explosives.

Growing up my favorite things about the 4th (besides the food, obviously) were: pop-its, sparklers, and the chinese house that popped up (called?). It seems like we were never allowed to have very many pop-its and the sparklers were waaaaay better back then since we got the metal ones and not these lame new ones that are impossible to light and barely last. We bought a ton of pop-its and the kids (as well as adults!) got really into it.

Adrian trying to get me with a pop-it

Jonathan trying desperately to throw those pop-its down with enough force to get them to pop

Luke with a handful of them!

One really new thing about this year was the fact that all 3 of my little boys were lighting fireworks. I usually freak out and won't let the older boys get too close, but this year we decided they were old enough and needed to learn responsibility. Grandpa decided that Jonathan was old enough.....made me a little nervous, I'm not gonna lie! No inadvertent fires or burns came about so I would call it a success.

The sparklers were a big hit with everyone....well, Jonathan decided he didn't like them when a spark burnt his finger.

We had so much fun camped out in front of my parents house and being with family and friends. We love the holidays and the celebration of our great nation's birth. And some might even say that we love an excuse to legally blow things up, too!