Fireworks and Birthdays. 7-8-12

Where would we find fireworks for the 4^th of July? We weren’t sure that we should keep the baby out very late. The only place for fireworks in town wouldn’t start until 9:45pm, and we knew it would be a sea of people. I really didn’t want the baby out in that mess. I miss the 4^th at my old place. We used to climb up to the train overpass and be able to see fireworks from 4-5 different parks/towns.

Boop was still going strong at 9pm; we figured we might as well pack up her bag to go out. We looked at a map to see where the fireworks would be. It turns out that the park was at a bend in the river; so it would be hard to see from our side. I figured we could see them better from the town across the river. I took the interstate around to the other side of the river—a bit out of the way but less traffic. And we drove around and around. Trees and mountains. We drove until we were on the other side of the park from the house, and Mom reminded me that we would have to wait for the park to let out to get home. And it was a sea of people. So, we crossed the bridge back over to the little town and worked our way back up the mountain. We found a reasonable spot that I had suggested earlier.

We walked around a bit, following Winnie’s tug, to find our best viewing spot and met a couple with their little boy. It was his first 4^th of July too, as he didn’t see them last year. Mommy radar, ‘is this an appropriate thing for my Boop?’ My anxiety was not improved by Boop’s response. Just like the way she loves to look up at lights, she gazed up at fireworks. The only problem came about with the boom at the end, at which he inevitably cringed with her eyes squeezed shut. She habituated a bit, and Winnie was taking it all in. It was a party for Winnie’s unofficial 10^th birthday. At the end of the show, we made a hasty retreat and were back home by 10:30pm. And she slept.