Independence Day

This was our first year being home for July 4th in a VERY long time. Most years, we travel during this week to visit people because of vacation time. Up until this week, Matt had only had 1/2 day of vacation time taken THIS YEAR. We needed this break. We needed this time.

The day started out so strange. Nathan had trouble sleeping on the night of the 3rd, and was up crying. I brought him downstairs and made him some oatmeal. But in the oven, smelling like America, was the apple pie that Esther and Sarah had made that night. When Nate had calmed down and Matt and I sent him back to bed, I cut two pieces of that pie and celebrated with Matt... at midnight on the 4th. It felt very independent. And sort of patriotic. This turn of fate made me feel like a regular Martha Stewart. I almost felt invincible. "Apple Pie at Midnight." All the emoji hearts.

When everyone woke up a few hours later, they, too, had apple pie for breakfast. I was killing it with my domestic prowess. And only on 2 hours of sleep.

Nathan and Sarah made sugar cookies later. I made pizza. We ate it in the backyard on blankets in the grass.

Danny says he will remember Independence Day because he caught 2 grasshoppers and 1 ladybug. Tommy caught 4 grasshoppers, 2 toads and hit a wasp with a bat. Joseph caught a monster wolf spider. I used the lawn trimmer and cleaned up the edges of the yard and gardens. The kids weeded the garden near the shed. Matt mowed the lawn and learned the daring new acrobatic act of somersaulting through a hoop. I have no evidence of this on photo or video, but you must trust me that it was one of the most awesome things I have ever seen.

Around 7, we went outside and did smoke bombs and sparklers, which was juuuuuuust up Charlie's alley.

July 4th was especially sweet, as the children were warned months ago by our next door neighbor that he would be setting off some serious fireworks. He practiced with smaller fireworks each weekend leading up to this, so we were prepared for something BIG. Everyone was eager. Except Charlie. And Lu. They were nervous. They made it up until 10:30 and a few sets of loud bangs, promptly started screaming and melting down, and then fell asleep to the sound of the loudest fans set on hi speeds to drown out the fun outside.

We set up the tent in the front yard so the kids could watch the display from a mosquito free enclosure. We ended up not needing it though. The night was perfect. The only bugs were lightning bugs. Hundreds of them. It was magical. The full moon was only terrifying to Matt and I, as parents. Even when Matt next door wasn't setting off fireworks, the neighbors all around and people throughout Michigan were blowing things up. The night had a constant hum of thunder.

The kids fell asleep, smiling and emotionally full. It was a mother's dream.

The family- minus Charlie, who decided this was his moment to throw a tantrum about having to be in a picture. 

Danny, looking for bugs. Always looking for bugs. He has a collection now and is always looking for new bugs to feed to his other bugs. We have Tupperware stacked full of bugs in my laundry room. My favorite Danny quote goes something like, “This pill-bug looks like it’s almost dead...guess it’s time to release it!!!”

Charles spent a good deal of the evening stressed out. In this particular moment, the stress came from that umbrella being at the wrong level for his liking.

Lucy decided on July 4th that she actually DOES like the Cozy Coupe and that mom and dad were actually trying to show her a good time and not ruin her life as she initially anticipated. She spent the rest of the evening screaming angrily at anyone who came within 5 feet of her new whip.