Welcome to the loudest holiday of the year
Let me just say the Fourth of July is not for the faint of heart. Especially if you’re a mom of boys. Forget peaceful backyard barbecues and quiet reflections on independence- if you’ve got any little Y-chromosome humans in your house, you’re in for a full throttle, sugar fueled, fireworks infused festival of choas.
They’ve been awake since sunrise, decked out in head to toe ‘Merica gear asking it its fireworks time yet every 12 minutes. Spoiler alert…. It’s not.
The Great American Mess
The day kicks off with morning parade.. which means pack up the eazy up, folding chairs, flags, fans, snacks and lots of water. Parking? Where? The one time of year around here that you can park where ever your car fits so you don’t have to hike a mile to get to the parade route.
Time for sirens, hot rods, squirt guns and CANDY. The boys favorite part is the cars throwing out candy so they can run up and gather as much as they can.
Now that we are hot messes and sugared up it’s off to bbqing and swimming. Where the watermelon juice is on the patio… on the dog and the toddler is using the rind for a hat. Naturally followed by popsicles that somehow manage to fully melt in 30 seconds and leave a trail of red from kitchen to pool.
Don’t get me started on glitter flag crafts that Pinterest labeled as “fun and festive” ….. they lied and I’m banning glitter forever.
Fireworks and Other questionable decisions
At some point in the evening a box labeled “totally legal and not at all dangerous front yard fun” comes out. Filled with things that spark, explode, spin, and make me question life choices.
the boys? THRILLED
me? Googling “what to do if your child lights a Roman candle backwards”
and of course dad’s out there with them, channeling his inner teenager while I’m mentally calculating our urgent care copay.
a pause for the patriotic feels
but somewhere between dodging bottle rockets and wiping BBQ sauce off the baby’s ear, I remember what it is all about.
We live in a country where my boys can grow up wild and free, asking weird historical questions like if Ben Franklin really invented electricity with a kite and believing they can be anything – astronaut, fireman, WWE Wrestler, YouTuber.
and yeah, it’s loud and messy and chaotic but it’s also kinda beautiful.
Final Thoughts from the mom in the lawn chair
So here’s to all the other boy moms out there counting heads in the dark, passing out glow sticks like candy and praying the neighbors don’t call the cops.
If you see me at the parade or out in front of the house with marshmallow in my hair, toddler on my hip and suspicious burn mark on my flip flops…. Send snacks or a cider beer…. Or both.
Happy Fourth of July friends and may your sparklers stay lit and your boys stay out of the ER.
Let’s Chat
How do your kids celebrate the fourth? Drop your favorite traditions and bonus if it includes duct tape.
2 responses to “Fireworks, Freedom, and Dirty Feet”
My son just turned 1 so we’re planning on watching the parade this year! My spouse and I haven’t gone in how many years, but I’m hoping it’ll be a good time for my son. Despite the hot weather and crowd. Afterwards, for sure will go to the beach and then watch fireworks at night. Love this blog post btw, thanks for the laughs! Lol.
Aww how fun! He is going to love it! Nothing like seeing all the people and all the sounds. We brought a baby folding high chair when my boys were little so they could sit and wave his flag like the rest of us. That sounds like such an amazing fun filled packed day that is going to make some Core memories! And welcome glad you loved it 🙂