Thursday, July 5, 2018

Fourth of July

Mama: "You wanna do sparklers?"
Caleb: "You mean sprinklers?"
Mama: "No, I mean sparklers."
Caleb: "Yeah, sprinklers."
Mama: "No... sparklers.  You light 'em on fire and they sparkle."
Caleb: "Oh, fireworks."
Mama: "Well, sorta, but something else."
Caleb: "You mean sprinklers?"

Mama heaves a sigh...




Mama: "Who can tell me what the 4th of July is about?"
Asa: "Goliath!"

Mama blinks, then giggles, then determines to teach these kids more about the country they were born in.  Because apparently they know very little.  Despite celebrating all the American holidays while living in Kenya and despite explanations about being American even though we were living in another country, there's a bit of a disconnect in their little brains about what it means to be American.




So I busted out some picture books about the 4th of July and used words like "freedom" and "Revolutionary War" and listened to everything from America the Beautiful to The Star Spangled Banner to You're A Grand Old Flag to God Bless the U.S.A by Lee Greenwood (which always reminds me of my childhood, specifically skiing at Mt. Holly with the song blaring across the slopes from the loudspeakers when it first came out).  All that to say, I did my best to help our kids understand and enjoy Independence Day this year while we're here in our own country.

Last weekend the lake community celebrated early with a boat parade in the afternoon and fireworks over the lake.  My parents and my sister's family came over for the fun.  It was a perfect summer day for it.  And of course the lake needed to be jumped in.  Our kids are still getting used to swimming (read: none of them know how to swim still), but every chance to get into the water is helping, bit by bit.  Kai is our fish, staying in the water for hours if we let him.  Asa is more interested in water guns than in actually swimming, and Caleb enjoys the water as long as we can convince him to get into the lake in the first place, which often takes more coaxing than you'd think.  All that to say, the water was perfect for anyone wanting to jump in!








And of course we did sparklers.  And now our kids know what sparklers are :)










The fireworks show was impressive.  Apparently there's a guy who volunteers to do it every year.  He takes donations and puts on a great show.  And the lake is full of boats, scattered everywhere for the show.  As long as you're on the water, there isn't a bad seat in the house!






Yesterday on the 4th we ventured to a parade in Hadley, a wonderfully small town with all the accompanying charm.  It was another new experience: our kids had never been to a parade.  We'd probably sound like terrible parents if we didn't have the excuse of living overseas the past two years!  They were super excited to wear their new "America shirts" and super excited to learn that people in the parade throw candy to kids.  Can America be any cooler???  Of course, it took several candy-throws and watching experienced cousins who sit on their haunches, at the ready for every piece of candy within reach, before our own kids understood the concept and joined in the fun.  They'll definitely be ready for their next parade!








At the end of the parade, a troop of fire trucks rolled past and hosed down anyone wanting to get soaked.  My nieces and nephew stayed put and were thoroughly doused.  Our own kids hung back but were given fire hats to take home.  Isn't Asa the cutest firefighter you ever did see???






So here's hoping that now our kids know a little something about the 4th of July, and that it's not about Goliath :)


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