happy birthday USA

I've decided that trying to explain the fourth of july to a three year old is, frankly, impossible. we talk about the flag, our country, and read books about america the beautiful. heck, we even sing along to woody guthrie's this land is your land during some of our OnDemand viewing sessions. but when I try to come up with a preschool-friendly way to describe freedom and democracy, I'm (understandably) at a loss for age appropriate words. so I do what every great parent does...I excitedly tell him that today we get to dress up and eat cake and sing, "happy birthday USA!" take that 12th grade government teacher, ha.

I love that this holiday is so grand that it can just be called "the fourth" - no month needed and better yet? the fact that "the fourth" signifies the whole entire long weekend - as in, "what are you doing for the fourth?" 

this year mother nature was the gift that kept on giving. the weather for the fourth was spectacular. temps were in the upper 70s, humidity was non-existant, and the sky was a robin's egg blue speckled with a handful of puffy white clouds. love.

it's not important that he understand why we are celebrating this day, it's just important that we celebrate together. 

the fourth also gives us the chance to celebrate my wonderful grandma. the littlest ones know her as 'grandma sissy' or 'grandma thithy' if you're under the age of two.  she's 82 years young and looking mah-ve-lous. twenty-five years ago, she had us convinced that the fireworks were in honor of her birthday. in my opinion, they still are.

I was looking forward to oohing and aahing at the the multitudes of colorful fireworks that are such an integral part of the fourth. somehow this year's celebration fizzled fast and left only nana, papa, miles, henry, and me around for the fireworks extravaganza. kyle has made it quite clear that fireworks don't do anything for him. he also knows that I l.o.v.e. them and plan to pass that love onto our children. sorry charlie. when I stepped outside to set up our bag chairs I came in and declared that it was borderline criminal that everyone had gone home on what was the most beautiful night of the year. their excuse? it's a work night. boo. I'll see your work night and raise you an early morning wake up call with two energetic toddlers. boo-ya.

we let henny bug take in the fireworks show live via satellite, complete with musical choreography. thank you ABC.

note to self: purchase lens hood. yikes.
after he was tucked in bed, miles, nana, and I hopped in the van and took off for a late night snack at ronald mcdonalds. ice cream sundaes for the ladies and three fresh chocolate chip cookies for the little man. I'm sure I've mentioned that he doesn't eat ice cream. tragic.

papa emerged from the basement with a box o' fun that he picked up at the local fireworks stand. he set off maybe three fireworks before miles declared that he'd had enough and wanted to know who else wanted to go back inside. 

so I guess I'll have to postpone my dream of our little family lying on a blanket under the night sky admiring the vibrant colors and being mesmerized by the giant weeping willows (my favorite, of course) to july 4th, 2012. until then...happy birthday USA.