It's been one of those weeks. I'm in avoidance/denial mode and have so far this week dodged mopping, cleaning the bathrooms, organizing for our yet-to-be-scheduled garage sale, organizing any fundraisers for September convention, and blogging. Not that blogging falls into the same unpleasant category but it does require me to exert some mental energy of which I have none.
Okay enough with the whining. While I was reliving my teenage slacker days this week we had a number of firsts.
1)First time any of our kids had to experience yucky nebulizer (breathing) treatments. Poor Alex not only caught the upper respiratory infection I had last week but had to suffer through a much worse version of it. After much back and forth on Monday about whether he really needed to see a doctor, we finally took him in when his breathing became labored. Luckily it wasn't severe enough of an infection to be admitted to the hospital but he did come home with a face mask/breathing machine, which he has a distinct hate/hate relationship with. Poor baby. He looks so sad and dejected with the darn thing on. Additionally he also had what appeared to be his first nightmare. It's hasn't been such a great week for Alex.
2) First time any of our kids stuck an object up their nose. You don't want to know the gory details but Sophia managed to stick a rock up her nose. It wasn't pretty but I managed to get the damn thing out without a trip to the doctor. Afterward I warned her that the next time she stuck anything up her nose we'd have to cut a hole in her face to take it out....mother of the year material for sure.
3) First time Max said Mama! This may not seem like a big deal but let me tell you, the boy is almost 18 months and had yet to talk spontaneously. Up to this point he would jibber jabber on ALL day in what sounds to us like Japanese AND he could mimic the heck out of any word but no spontaneous language. Apparently this week all the right brain synapses connected and he was on verbal fire! He said "Sister"! He said "Catch"! He said "DON'T TOUCH"! He said "All done"! He said "NO"! He said "Hot!" He said "Uh Oh!" He said "Hat!" and finally he said "Mama"! Ahhh...There is no sweeter sound than your baby saying your name for the first time (well not your proper name. The first time that happens evokes a whole 'nuther emotion.) Just as a disclaimer he has been saying Daddy or Dada for a while but I have a feeling that he was being coached. I'm just saying.
4) First time I skipped out on a twin group Mom's night out. Again this doesn't seem like a big deal but to this point I have always jumped at the chance to have a few hours away enjoying adult conversation, good food and hopefully margaritas! Not that I don't still enjoy those things but I also don't feel desperate for them either. Lately I've been able to fill up my "extracurricular calendar" with more regular, frequent outings so I don't feel like I'm in mama drone mode all the time. Good for me, even better for my family. After all "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". Just ask Patrick.
Four firsts is a decent place to stop at right? I don't want to have to start making stuff up. Like "The first time I lost 15 pounds in a week by not working out and eating whatever I wanted"!! Wait, that's called breastfeeding and I certainly didn't do that this week.
Maybe Patrick can log on and add a first from his week... after all, the rest of us got one in. No pressure love :) I'm just certain that one day the kids will enjoy hearing from good ole' Dad via this medium. But if you're busy that's okay too. No pressure. Really.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
A Proud Parenting Moment PLUS an Homage to One of My Favorite Bloggers
Bear with me on this one. I'm mentally and physically drained. The kids were sick all week with a stomach flu (always lovely to deal with) and then towards the latter part of the week I caught a nasty cold which has by now spread to all the kids. I swear we wash our hands RELIGIOUSLY but somehow we can't go more than a few weeks with someone getting sick!!
As it is for any family with three little kids there are times when both parents are present but otherwise occupied and not paying 100% attention to what each individual child is doing. This tiny fractional, fleeting moment of inattention is usually just enough time for little evil genius masterminds to plan, scheme and execute.
You can see where I'm going with the one, right?
Today, as is our routine after a grocery store run, Patrick and I took turns running out to unload the van while the other stayed inside restocking the fridge and pantry. Just as we were finishing up I spotted Max under table very happily playing with and rolling around in what appeared to be apple juice or water although I couldn't quite tell for certain.
Since I had banged the egg carton against the table on the way in my first thought was
"Oh crap! What if that's egg whites he's rolling around in!!"
I quickly yank him out from under the table and touch the floor to further examine the mystery liquid. Although the unidentified substance is a little sticky it definitely isn't egg whites.
Phew! What a relief. Imagine my baby rolling around in something that gross and potentially harmful!
I then turn to Patrick to ask if he might know what spilled or leaked. (At this point Max breaks away from me and happily returns back to his spot under the table.) Anyone spill a sippy cup? Na Uh. Did the water line in the refrigerator spring a leak. Nope. Did the apple juice bottle break? Not that either. (Max continues to contently splash around in the little puddle.)
After a few more moments of thinking aloud about other possibilities, Sophia chimes in "Mommy! (in her very "Oh, quit being so over dramatic mom" tone) That's just my PEE PEE!"
Yup. My daughter who has been potty trained for almost two years inexplicably decided that UNDER THE KITCHEN TABLE would be an entirely appropriate place to relieve herself.
And her sweet baby brother played in it.
Very, very proud parenting moment indeed.
So Jen (the purveyor of a very smart and hilarious blog that can be read here), as it turns out, the diagnosis was indeed urine.
As it is for any family with three little kids there are times when both parents are present but otherwise occupied and not paying 100% attention to what each individual child is doing. This tiny fractional, fleeting moment of inattention is usually just enough time for little evil genius masterminds to plan, scheme and execute.
You can see where I'm going with the one, right?
Today, as is our routine after a grocery store run, Patrick and I took turns running out to unload the van while the other stayed inside restocking the fridge and pantry. Just as we were finishing up I spotted Max under table very happily playing with and rolling around in what appeared to be apple juice or water although I couldn't quite tell for certain.
Since I had banged the egg carton against the table on the way in my first thought was
"Oh crap! What if that's egg whites he's rolling around in!!"
I quickly yank him out from under the table and touch the floor to further examine the mystery liquid. Although the unidentified substance is a little sticky it definitely isn't egg whites.
Phew! What a relief. Imagine my baby rolling around in something that gross and potentially harmful!
I then turn to Patrick to ask if he might know what spilled or leaked. (At this point Max breaks away from me and happily returns back to his spot under the table.) Anyone spill a sippy cup? Na Uh. Did the water line in the refrigerator spring a leak. Nope. Did the apple juice bottle break? Not that either. (Max continues to contently splash around in the little puddle.)
After a few more moments of thinking aloud about other possibilities, Sophia chimes in "Mommy! (in her very "Oh, quit being so over dramatic mom" tone) That's just my PEE PEE!"
Yup. My daughter who has been potty trained for almost two years inexplicably decided that UNDER THE KITCHEN TABLE would be an entirely appropriate place to relieve herself.
And her sweet baby brother played in it.
Very, very proud parenting moment indeed.
So Jen (the purveyor of a very smart and hilarious blog that can be read here), as it turns out, the diagnosis was indeed urine.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Makes My Monday: Kids + Water = Instant Fun
I recently took the kids to a park so they'd have the opportunity to exert all kinds of energy sliding, swinging and climbing on the playground equipment. Unfortunately it had rained the night before so rather than play "as I had intended them to" they made new plans and had a fantastic time splashing in the mud and sliding around the basketball court.
Next time rather than getting us all dressed and combed, packing snacks, toys, sippies, diapers, spare clothes, and a picnic blanket THEN wrestling three surprisingly strong kids into car seats, and driving to the park all before 8:30am (so as to avoid the 100+ temps that will hit by 10am) , I'll just wet the ground a little in the backyard, strip then down, and let them have at it.
If you look really close you'll see Alex DIVING into the puddle on the basketball court. OUCH!
I'm not at all kidding when I tell people that they're always heading (or running!) in opposite directions.
This one was snapped just before Max fell into the mud splashing his sister and her very lovely dress. That'll teach her for being such a girl about getting dirty.
To play along or see other Makes My Monday posts click here :
Next time rather than getting us all dressed and combed, packing snacks, toys, sippies, diapers, spare clothes, and a picnic blanket THEN wrestling three surprisingly strong kids into car seats, and driving to the park all before 8:30am (so as to avoid the 100+ temps that will hit by 10am) , I'll just wet the ground a little in the backyard, strip then down, and let them have at it.
If you look really close you'll see Alex DIVING into the puddle on the basketball court. OUCH!
I'm not at all kidding when I tell people that they're always heading (or running!) in opposite directions.
This one was snapped just before Max fell into the mud splashing his sister and her very lovely dress. That'll teach her for being such a girl about getting dirty.
To play along or see other Makes My Monday posts click here :
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Three Reasons Why I Blog.
I have delusions of grandiosity. I'm aware of it and have accepted it as my one and only flaw. This flaw has led me to create a blog. A blog where I have unchecked capacity to express my viewpoints and opinions to the world.
( As an aside I hate the word "blog" (sounds like something I should wipe up or disinfect) so I've decided to call it a letter instead........A Love Letter to my 3 sweethearts.)
As a condition of my aforementioned flaw I have convinced myself that one day my children will want to read this and all the other "letters" I've written for them. Here's my delusional reasoning why:
1) As adults my kids will want to know me as a person and not just as "The Woman Who Ruined My Life!" They'll care about my perspective and will get to know me as an individual through my description of life as their mother. (At a very minimum they'll be able to print it and take to their psychiatrist for clues into what missteps made them the way they are....You're very welcome kids!)
2)They will want to learn more about our life together, our ups and downs as a family, and what they were like as kids. They will get to revisit all those faded memories via this letter and will really care that I recorded at what age they first potty trained or about their first day of preschool. More specifically and this is the important one... through reading this letter they will begin to understand the breadth and depth of the love I feel for them. (Even when they are way past the age that I am able to sweep them up and smother them with hugs and kisses.)
3) And finally for "historical purposes" my great grandchildren will one day be able to thumb through the yellowed, worn pages of my blog letter (printed and maintained for perpetuity of course) and learn about what life was like for their grandparents and great grandparents at the turn of the century. (I know, I know! This one is far fetched. Paper copies are so unrealistic. It'll be on Kindle version 24.0 by then.)
And if I'm being really honest (which I rarely am) I write for purely selfish reasons. To keep sane, to have a place to vent, to have an outlet amidst all the chaos, to feel like I'm doing something other than mothering and mostly because I really enjoy writing.
(So kids if you're reading this as adults here's proof that your Mother is a real person with needs, wants and ideas of her own. But you guys are so smart! You've figured that one out by now, right?)
( As an aside I hate the word "blog" (sounds like something I should wipe up or disinfect) so I've decided to call it a letter instead........A Love Letter to my 3 sweethearts.)
As a condition of my aforementioned flaw I have convinced myself that one day my children will want to read this and all the other "letters" I've written for them. Here's my delusional reasoning why:
1) As adults my kids will want to know me as a person and not just as "The Woman Who Ruined My Life!" They'll care about my perspective and will get to know me as an individual through my description of life as their mother. (At a very minimum they'll be able to print it and take to their psychiatrist for clues into what missteps made them the way they are....You're very welcome kids!)
2)They will want to learn more about our life together, our ups and downs as a family, and what they were like as kids. They will get to revisit all those faded memories via this letter and will really care that I recorded at what age they first potty trained or about their first day of preschool. More specifically and this is the important one... through reading this letter they will begin to understand the breadth and depth of the love I feel for them. (Even when they are way past the age that I am able to sweep them up and smother them with hugs and kisses.)
3) And finally for "historical purposes" my great grandchildren will one day be able to thumb through the yellowed, worn pages of my blog letter (printed and maintained for perpetuity of course) and learn about what life was like for their grandparents and great grandparents at the turn of the century. (I know, I know! This one is far fetched. Paper copies are so unrealistic. It'll be on Kindle version 24.0 by then.)
And if I'm being really honest (which I rarely am) I write for purely selfish reasons. To keep sane, to have a place to vent, to have an outlet amidst all the chaos, to feel like I'm doing something other than mothering and mostly because I really enjoy writing.
(So kids if you're reading this as adults here's proof that your Mother is a real person with needs, wants and ideas of her own. But you guys are so smart! You've figured that one out by now, right?)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A Little Bit Like Old Times
Wasn't I at one time that overachieving Mom who had daily "learning activities" planned for my daughter? Things like indoor finger painting (with subsequent framing and hanging of art), tea parties and picnics in the living room (complete with finger food we cooked as a team!) or even construction of mini collages from old magazines to illustrate that day's lesson or even better the "letter" of the week.
Wasn't it true that at one time Sophia watched less then thirty minutes of tv (per DAY!) and spent the rest of her time out in the world filling that ever expanding little brain of hers with new experiences via trips to the library, children's museum, zoo, park and Mommy and Me classes?
Didn't I once create a list of "must do" activities from a book entitled "100 Games Smart Babies Play" with the goal of playing all 100 games by the time she was three?
Seventeen months after the boy's arrival and I vaguely remember being "that" Mom. The kind of I'm-never-without-my-lipstick Mom who has time to sit in her very tidy home and quietly plan her weekly goals and lessons not unlike a model preschool teacher.
Sophia on the other hand has not forgotten. She relished life as an only and all the fun, entertaining, purposeful activities she and I used to enjoy. She loved going on outings every day, not watching quite as much tv ( okay so she's probably fine with all the tv watching) and getting loads more individual time.
Sigh. If only I had been a lousy mom all along, she'd never know the difference. I could kick myself for not being more forward thinking!
But now that I am starting to have little more breathing room, and because I have given up caring what the kitchen looks like, I'm reincorporating PROJECT TIME!! back into our afternoons. So far this month we've painted and decorated terra cotta planters, used finger paints, splatter painted with water colors, written "letters" to our family and cooked together for snack time. Admittedly not as well thought out as in our pre-twin life but fun mom and Sophia time all the same.
Since she was nostalgic for Disneyland last week I tried to incorporate that into our projects. Here's a picture of the themed snack we made.
A yummy nod to a certain license protected character.
Even during PROJECT TIME! she has to be fabulous.
Since she was eating a face off her plate she insisted on not using her hands.
Wasn't it true that at one time Sophia watched less then thirty minutes of tv (per DAY!) and spent the rest of her time out in the world filling that ever expanding little brain of hers with new experiences via trips to the library, children's museum, zoo, park and Mommy and Me classes?
Didn't I once create a list of "must do" activities from a book entitled "100 Games Smart Babies Play" with the goal of playing all 100 games by the time she was three?
Seventeen months after the boy's arrival and I vaguely remember being "that" Mom. The kind of I'm-never-without-my-lipstick Mom who has time to sit in her very tidy home and quietly plan her weekly goals and lessons not unlike a model preschool teacher.
Sophia on the other hand has not forgotten. She relished life as an only and all the fun, entertaining, purposeful activities she and I used to enjoy. She loved going on outings every day, not watching quite as much tv ( okay so she's probably fine with all the tv watching) and getting loads more individual time.
Sigh. If only I had been a lousy mom all along, she'd never know the difference. I could kick myself for not being more forward thinking!
But now that I am starting to have little more breathing room, and because I have given up caring what the kitchen looks like, I'm reincorporating PROJECT TIME!! back into our afternoons. So far this month we've painted and decorated terra cotta planters, used finger paints, splatter painted with water colors, written "letters" to our family and cooked together for snack time. Admittedly not as well thought out as in our pre-twin life but fun mom and Sophia time all the same.
Since she was nostalgic for Disneyland last week I tried to incorporate that into our projects. Here's a picture of the themed snack we made.
A yummy nod to a certain license protected character.
Even during PROJECT TIME! she has to be fabulous.
Since she was eating a face off her plate she insisted on not using her hands.
Monday, July 13, 2009
To: Sophia.Alex.Max
My three little loves,
A very short time ago, just four years, you weren't here yet. Four years ago I didn't know your names, couldn't imagine what your beautiful faces would look like, or even how magic holding you in my arms would feel. Four years ago I didn't know and couldn't imagine how very much I'd love each of you. Four years ago I couldn't understand the joy I'd feel to see your smiling faces each morning and the overwhelming tenderness I'd feel watching you sleep at night. There is truth to the saying "you'll understand one day when you're a parent". You can't understand the overwhelming joys or imagine the deepest sorrows until you've loved a person this much.
Last week, a mommy very much like me, lost one of her little babies. They were a family just like us, with a sister who at 3.5 was the big girl of the family and twin boys, who at 17 months were just being to explore the world. One of her baby boys, Matteo, became an angel last week and in doing so broke her heart. Hearing her story and knowing the tremendous magnitude of pain and loss she is experiencing has broken mine.
Four years ago I couldn't have understood what she is feeling. Today I can.
So my little ones I hope that up to this point I have been good about enjoying each day with you. I hope that I haven't taken for granted what a blessing, a gift, the time we have together is. In under four years I have so richly blessed to have you each in my life. Such a short time to have experienced so much love! I hope and pray the time we have together is long and outlast me but in honor of Matteo and his brave, heartbroken mommy I will treasure each good morning and good night together (and all the moments in between).
I love you Sophia. I love you Alex. I love you Max.
Mommy
A very short time ago, just four years, you weren't here yet. Four years ago I didn't know your names, couldn't imagine what your beautiful faces would look like, or even how magic holding you in my arms would feel. Four years ago I didn't know and couldn't imagine how very much I'd love each of you. Four years ago I couldn't understand the joy I'd feel to see your smiling faces each morning and the overwhelming tenderness I'd feel watching you sleep at night. There is truth to the saying "you'll understand one day when you're a parent". You can't understand the overwhelming joys or imagine the deepest sorrows until you've loved a person this much.
Last week, a mommy very much like me, lost one of her little babies. They were a family just like us, with a sister who at 3.5 was the big girl of the family and twin boys, who at 17 months were just being to explore the world. One of her baby boys, Matteo, became an angel last week and in doing so broke her heart. Hearing her story and knowing the tremendous magnitude of pain and loss she is experiencing has broken mine.
Four years ago I couldn't have understood what she is feeling. Today I can.
So my little ones I hope that up to this point I have been good about enjoying each day with you. I hope that I haven't taken for granted what a blessing, a gift, the time we have together is. In under four years I have so richly blessed to have you each in my life. Such a short time to have experienced so much love! I hope and pray the time we have together is long and outlast me but in honor of Matteo and his brave, heartbroken mommy I will treasure each good morning and good night together (and all the moments in between).
I love you Sophia. I love you Alex. I love you Max.
Mommy
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Take A Left At Albuquerque.
Last weekend we went to Albuquerque and Santa Fe for a few days. Good friends, good food, good time. I don't have much in the way of detailed descriptions to share (thank God! you say?) but here are a few pics.
The kids loved the peacocks which were allowed to roam freely throughout the zoo. They seemed to be everywhere making for some interesting encounters and lessons on the lives of peacocks. In case you've never heard the sound a peacock makes it sounds a lot like a cat... or perhaps more accurately like a female cat in labor. Really charming.
Daddy and the boys at the botanical gardens. Alex yelling "duck!" at the fish .
Ha! There were actually ducks in this part of the park!
Me and my little guys.
The kids's favorite part of the Biopark was probably the little model train they were able to start and stop.
My favorite part was the ability to take pictures together without having to ask a stranger for help. Here are a few of my favorites courtesy of our friend Laura.
And in honor of your first tarantula stomping, here are a few just for you Mom!
And finally on the last day of our trip I was able to reconnect with my old college friend, Rose, in Santa Fe. It was great seeing her again after over five years. It was fun catching up and we were able to fall into conversation as though we'd just left off yesterday. It was also fun for her to meet the kids since she was there when Patrick and I first met (and swears that she knew then we'd end up together for the long haul!)
First stop: Albuquerque Biopark aka the zoo, aquarium and botanical gardens.
Alex really got into this year yelling "DUCK, DUCK!!" at every animal we saw. Here he is yelling "duck!" at the flamingos.
Alex really got into this year yelling "DUCK, DUCK!!" at every animal we saw. Here he is yelling "duck!" at the flamingos.
The kids loved the peacocks which were allowed to roam freely throughout the zoo. They seemed to be everywhere making for some interesting encounters and lessons on the lives of peacocks. In case you've never heard the sound a peacock makes it sounds a lot like a cat... or perhaps more accurately like a female cat in labor. Really charming.
Daddy and the boys at the botanical gardens. Alex yelling "duck!" at the fish .
Ha! There were actually ducks in this part of the park!
Me and my little guys.
The kids's favorite part of the Biopark was probably the little model train they were able to start and stop.
My favorite part was the ability to take pictures together without having to ask a stranger for help. Here are a few of my favorites courtesy of our friend Laura.
And in honor of your first tarantula stomping, here are a few just for you Mom!
And finally on the last day of our trip I was able to reconnect with my old college friend, Rose, in Santa Fe. It was great seeing her again after over five years. It was fun catching up and we were able to fall into conversation as though we'd just left off yesterday. It was also fun for her to meet the kids since she was there when Patrick and I first met (and swears that she knew then we'd end up together for the long haul!)
Maybe They Are Twins.
Wearing baseball caps and the same blank expression they could at least pass for brothers.
Reason #446,172 For Why I Love being S.A.M's Mommy: Baby Tacos
If you've never wrapped a warm, giggly, sweet smelling baby into a soft towel and then snuggled and loved on said baby then sweetheart you are missing out! Add it to your bucket list and do it as often as you get the chance. It's definitely one of those little joys in mothering that makes up for all the other crap that gets directed your way throughout the day..almost. That and twice a day naps (for the babies! I'm lucky if I get 10 minutes to sit down) but who's keeping score?
Here are my own yummy tacitos in May 2008 & today after a good time at the pool.
(Yes, they have been outdoors quite a bit this summer..as evidenced by their brown little legs).
Here are my own yummy tacitos in May 2008 & today after a good time at the pool.
(Yes, they have been outdoors quite a bit this summer..as evidenced by their brown little legs).
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Steel Magnolias and The Fourth of July
If you're a chick flickanista and haven't watched the film "Steel Magnolias" then turn in your membership card and kindly exit now. For the rest of us left let me explain to you a little about my relationship to the holidays and Steel Magnolias. Because the film uses the holidays as transition pieces for each of the character's lives, the movie is ripe with scenes of families celebrating "ala" All American Festivities as Portrayed By Hollywood. Imagine Julia Roberts in an argyle Christmas sweater, egg nog in hand, toasting by the crackling fireplace or Sally Field and her flaxen haired grandson hunting for Easter eggs surrounded by throngs of pastel and floral clad children.
All things cliche' I know but what's the point. I'm in love.
I should at this point mention that I first saw Steel Magnolias as a nine year old. From that point on I had a fantasy, based on the movie's Fourth of July montage, that I too should celebrate in the very same way, complete with neighborhood cookout, rustic American flag tousling in the wind at the small town street parade, children running throughout the crowd with sparklers, and an old fashioned street dance and firework display to culminate the evening.
The delusion is obvious.
The summer I was ten I waited in eager anticipation for the 4th to arrive! I could already taste the grilled burgers, sweet watermelon, and sun brewed ice tea. I could smell the sparklers burning and hear the crowd ooohing and awwwing over the fireworks in the town square while fireflies brightened up the night. Mmmmmmmmm Independance Day Paradise. Imagine the disappointment I felt when I was told that there were in fact no such plans in the works.
"Maybe your Aunt Lisa will come over."
Not exactly the red, white and blue spectacular of my dreams.
And so it's been for almost 20 years that the Fourth of July has been a bust for me. High expectations, followed by poorly attended cookouts, lame parades and never any sparklers.
(I realize that as an adult I can go out at ANY point and purchase the damn sparklers, light them, and the sing flippin' "My Country Tis' of Thee" till I'm blue in the face but you're missing the point. I want the MAGIC!)
So back to the story.. Year after Year. Broken Dream after Broken Dream.
UNTIL
I had kids. And we all know that kids are a fantastic way to fulfill your own unrealized childhood dreams without looking like total loser. That and ducking out early. "Oh wow! Look at the time. We really must get the kids to bed. We'll have to do this again soon!"
So admittedly the kids are still too young to care but this year we attended a themed event in a town square (where 98.5% of the people wore some form of red, white and blue attire), went to a cookout/pool party (at the home of a very nice and very wealthy attorney... our car was the only one in the circular drive that was priced under 50 grand, comfortably under 50 grand I might add) and there was even a mini firework show wherein Sophia received a sparkler to wave around!
Okay so no one broke out a flag and sang "The Star Spangled Banner" but the dream is getting closer.
I can feel it.
All things cliche' I know but what's the point. I'm in love.
I should at this point mention that I first saw Steel Magnolias as a nine year old. From that point on I had a fantasy, based on the movie's Fourth of July montage, that I too should celebrate in the very same way, complete with neighborhood cookout, rustic American flag tousling in the wind at the small town street parade, children running throughout the crowd with sparklers, and an old fashioned street dance and firework display to culminate the evening.
The delusion is obvious.
The summer I was ten I waited in eager anticipation for the 4th to arrive! I could already taste the grilled burgers, sweet watermelon, and sun brewed ice tea. I could smell the sparklers burning and hear the crowd ooohing and awwwing over the fireworks in the town square while fireflies brightened up the night. Mmmmmmmmm Independance Day Paradise. Imagine the disappointment I felt when I was told that there were in fact no such plans in the works.
"Maybe your Aunt Lisa will come over."
Not exactly the red, white and blue spectacular of my dreams.
And so it's been for almost 20 years that the Fourth of July has been a bust for me. High expectations, followed by poorly attended cookouts, lame parades and never any sparklers.
(I realize that as an adult I can go out at ANY point and purchase the damn sparklers, light them, and the sing flippin' "My Country Tis' of Thee" till I'm blue in the face but you're missing the point. I want the MAGIC!)
So back to the story.. Year after Year. Broken Dream after Broken Dream.
UNTIL
I had kids. And we all know that kids are a fantastic way to fulfill your own unrealized childhood dreams without looking like total loser. That and ducking out early. "Oh wow! Look at the time. We really must get the kids to bed. We'll have to do this again soon!"
So admittedly the kids are still too young to care but this year we attended a themed event in a town square (where 98.5% of the people wore some form of red, white and blue attire), went to a cookout/pool party (at the home of a very nice and very wealthy attorney... our car was the only one in the circular drive that was priced under 50 grand, comfortably under 50 grand I might add) and there was even a mini firework show wherein Sophia received a sparkler to wave around!
Okay so no one broke out a flag and sang "The Star Spangled Banner" but the dream is getting closer.
I can feel it.
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