Happy Birthday America, Let’s blow stuff up!
July 6th, 2009
One of the many reasons we didn’t go to camp this last week is that the Fourth of July celebration is probably one of our favorite holidays to celebrate with Toby. Toby doesn’t have a lot of time to hang out with us so we take the time he does have very seriously. And by seriously, I mean we like to blow stuff up.
You see, Toby really likes fireworks. Unfortunately because of where we live (and our pansy-ass city council), fireworks are not allowed. We’ve tried the mentos and diet coke bombs and exploding confetti but nothing is as fun as real fire and loud noise. So this year we had a plan.
First we had a little token barbeque with my brother, CC and my niece, Superchic. We figured we might as well get together since the other half of the family is off having fun at camp without us. They can celebrate with campfires and roasted marshmallows, lakeside views and mountain air but we’ll celebrate with margaritas, hotdogs and whatever we can find on television that is suitable for all ages—aka the National Geographic Channel. It wasn’t bad. We didn’t even suffer from any mosquito bites.
Then we all piled in our cars and drove over to a friend’s house who lives in the burbs of a nearby town that does allow fireworks. Toby had bought several bags of legal explosives the day before and put on quite a show for us. The kids seemed to be into it. They were a little frightened by the loud pops and bright flashes but a little fear makes it more fun I think.
“Ooooooooooh!!!”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! My eyes!!!”
(Is Superchic crossing her fingers, hoping not to die?)
Our little celebration got me to thinking…I’ve celebrated America’s birthday in so many ways over the years. I’ve hiked up hills to watch public shows from three towns overlap. I’ve made-out with boyfriends at tailgate parties on the Indian Reservation, I’ve watched crazy street scenes with hoodlums lighting off illegal fireworks, I’ve watched parades in Disneyland and even made champagne toasts on the patios of the mega-rich over-looking the ocean…I’ve pretty much done it all.
But I have to say that sitting on a curb with my kid, watching her Dad light stuff off is something I cherish. We might not have had the big mega explosions or the pretty lake reflections but we do have each other and the beginning of a tradition that will probably be a big deal in Bug’s life. Sure, other kids have great memories of fishing or playing baseball with their Dads but Bug is going to have great memories of her Dad blowing stuff up.
God Bless America.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Did I read in a previous post that it is your birthday today? If so, Happy Day! (In the event it is next week – Happy Day a week early!) I have never posted to your site but enjoy reading it. Thanks for the neat craft ideas!!
SAJ says: Yes, it is. Thank you. :)
July 6th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Yay! Happy birthday to you!
July 6th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Happy Birthday, SAJ!
I love how Bug put her hands on her cheeks and then over her mouth — too cute!
July 6th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Bug is too cute, i love the adorable looks on her face. Her jacket is awesome, my daughter has the same one….gotta love Target! :)
July 6th, 2009 at 10:45 am
I love the title of your post, SAJ!
July 6th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Happy Birthday again Brenda I hope you had a great day. Your 4th of July celebrations looks marvelous. It reminds me of the UK’s Guy Fawlks night in November, where we build bonfires, light fireworks and um burn an effigy of poor old Guy Fawlks himself… put to death because he tried to blow up Parliament. Geesh what a blood thirsty history ;P
July 6th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Happy Birthday!
July 6th, 2009 at 11:47 am
What was that about the indian reservation?
Happy birthday sweetheart.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Ha, Toby’s comment cracked me up! Happy Birthday SAJ! You’re right, Bug will always love those memories of her dad. My dad buying and blowing up fireworks for all the kids on our block has always been one of the memories I remember most fondly.
July 6th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Happy happy birthday, I hope you get some new printing inks and nice paper and some cool pens…oh wait that’s what I want for my birthday.
July 6th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Sounds like a wonderful 4th. I like where you say “great memories of her Dad blowing stuff up”, hee hee hee!
And happy birthday!!
July 6th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :D I hope you are having a good day!
I’m glad you all had a good time with the fireworks!
July 6th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Love it! Way too look on the bright side, ha ha, ok dumb pun! Yay Toby! Being a Canadian, I can so relate to all the Canada days past, including making out with my later to be hubby, on our roof top watching the fireworks. Nice post!
July 6th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Happy birthday!!
July 6th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Happy birthday! I am a new reader who got hooked with your meal plan link! Love love it!
July 6th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
This year the old man pass the “punk”….the thing you light all the fire works with…to the 14 year old. I’m sure he felt so grown up to be lighting everything on fire.
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 6th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
yay for blowing stuff up and traditions :) and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
July 6th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Happy Birthday!
Blowing stuff up is AWESOME! We traveled to my aunt and uncle’s house where fireworks are still legal and I was so happy that the girls were able to have the same experience I had as a kid. One of my cousin’s even pulled out a bunch of illegal fireworks. I don’t think my girls will forget that night anytime soon, hahaha.
Glad you guys have another great memory for Bug to store in her smart lil noggin.
July 7th, 2009 at 3:00 am
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY SAJ!
I HOPE YOU HAD AN AMAZING DAY, GOD BLESS YOU!!!
July 7th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Wait, where do you live? I thought we shared a state – are they not illegal in all places? Weird.
Great photos, btw!
July 7th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Hey, hope you had a happy birthday.
Hmm. Fishing vs fireworks…I know which I’d choose. Anyway, how many people’s Dads, who go fishing frequently, actually take the kids with them more than once in a blue moon? :/ Maybe lots for all I know (though I still doubt it). Argh! Don’t mind my cynical rambling!
I’ll bet this Fourth of July will win a permanent place in Bug’s childhood narrative, so good on you and Toby and the rest of the clan.
Your pictures make me ache to run home from work and give my little girl a big hug!
July 7th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
lol, those pictures of the girls’ reactions are priceless :^)
happy 4th!! xoxoxo
July 7th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Happy belated birthday Brenda! Hope you had a great day! Love ya! :-)