This was the first year we actually took Luke to see fireworks for the Fourth of July. Last year we tried to go with my mom and stepdad but Kensington Park was packed. We weren’t up for the crowds so we headed home and caught the tail end of some fireworks in some small town just off the freeway. Last year wasn’t a total drag though, because we had a fabulous time at my mom’s; we played in the yard, ate some delicious barbecue ribs… it was good times. The year before that Luke was just an itty-bitty newborn so we didn’t even attempt making it out for fireworks.

But this year, this year he got to see fireworks. My father-in-law invited us to spend the evening with his friends up in Morrice, MI. They have a second home on a small lake where they do fireworks every year. A fireworks show without the parking hassle? I’m all in. We had such a great time. Luke had a blast playing bean bag toss and baseball and driving around with the golf cart. The food was delicious and plentiful (including the cookies I baked that day, my best batch in at least two years. I had really been off my game but I think I may have my mojo back).
 

Luke was fascinated at the fireworks display at first, saying “Wow!” and “More? More?” at each pause in the action. Then about halfway through the display he was saying “All done?” and “Night night.” He was done with watching fireworks and just wanted to lay down anywhere he could get comfortable. As it was two hours past his normal bedtime he was super tired, but surprisingly not cranky. He was just telling us matter-of-factly that he was ready to go to bed! It was hilarious. The only downside to being out there near the water was that the mosquitoes were atrocious. We wore plenty of bug spray but Luke was wearing his faux crocs without socks and Momma forgot to spray his feet. Poor guy woke up with swollen ankles this morning from all the bug bites. Those dumb little bugs can smell him from a mile away.

It was a great night. We all had a great time and I even got a little emotional during the fireworks display thinking about what a great country this is and all those brave souls who sacrificed for it. Hormones, I tell ya.