HH really wants to see a big fireworks show and be as close to it as possible. I am not a big fan of crowds (not that he is either) but we will have to find a happy medium. I am also not a fan of traffic, so I hope it is close by. We’ve received a few invitations to BBQs, but have not decided what to do.
Whatever happens, it will definitely be including Sparklers and Ground Flowers.
When I was a kid, July 4th tradition was solid. My dad would make a fruit salad and cut a watermelon into the shape of a basket in order to serve it. While he did that, my sister and I would watch the Twilight Zone Marathon, because nothing says “God Bless America” like Rod Serling and weirdness. Then we would pack up the car and drive to my Uncle Mike’s house near the beach.
Uncle Mike had a pool, so the kids would be in the water the whole day and the parents would hang out and enjoy cocktail hour from noon on…. 🙂 I remember not wanting to even get out of the pool to eat.
Now, I don’t think this had anything to do with a day-long cocktail hour, but at some point during the day my Uncle Mike would climb out onto a second floor balcony and jump into the pool from there. Sometimes he would have a towel tied around his neck like a cape. Somewhere my mom has pictures of him standing up there. It was so funny. My cousin was 16 or 17 and he was allowed to go up there and jump off as well. I desperately wanted to do it too and my mean parents wouldn’t let me.
And let me take a moment to complain about another childhood trauma my mean mom caused me (since she reads my blog.) Mom? Those beach towels that you cut a hole in the middle and made into a terry cloth “poncho”….? Lame! Monica and I both would have rather dripped dry.
I digress. After dinner we would take beach and camp chairs and line them up on the sidewalk. The kids got to play with sparklers and then we got to light the fireworks purchased from local fireworks stands. As I’ve mentioned, the Ground Flowers were my favorites. My least favorite? Whistling Petes. I think they should have been named Sparkle For A Minute-Deaf For A Lifetime. We would all say “ooh” and “ahh” but tongue in cheek, as there is nothing awe inspiring in a Ground Flower.
When I lived up in Vancouver, Washington my house was a mile or so from the Columbia River. Every Fourth Of July they had what they claimed to be The Largest Fireworks Display West Of The Mississippi and would float a barge on the river and light the fireworks from the barge. The deck in my backyard was a perfect viewing spot. Friends would come over and we would have BBQ and Margaritas and watch the fireworks from the deck. I miss that house.
Those traditions are no longer. We are trying to create a new tradition, but have not yet been able to do so.
This was Grant’s first Fourth of July (2005) where he was aware of what was going on. He was about 15 months here. (In 2004 he was about 3 months old…)
He met a big doggy….. and decided the hula hoops needed to go home with him….
In 2007, Conner, Mitch and Grant participated in the neighborhood bike parade.
All the boys but Grant took part in the watermelon eating contest. It was girls vs. boys and it was divided by age group.
Here are Conner and Mitch taking part. Please note Devin, standing over his brothers with a critical eye, laughing at their technique.
Now please note Devin, digging in to his watermelon while a Neighborhood Mom passes out the pieces.
Now please notice the look on the Neighborhood Mom’s face when she realizes that Devin is choking on his watermelon.
The watermelon eating contest was removed from the following year’s festivities. Too dangerous…. However, the water balloon toss, bike parade, cake walk, etc still carry on
Happy Fourth of July, however you celebrate it.
I’m thinking we really need to start some fun traditions at our place! 🙂
Hope you have a great 4th – and thanks for the reminder about how great we DO have it here in our country!
Happy FMM!
Jolanthe
Oh, those hula hoop pictures are just precious! Great list and what a great reminder of how blessed we are to live in America!
Oh, and I noticed you’re sitting still at 99 followers…you’re in my Google Reader, but I can’t resist the opportunity to push you over the edge and become follower #100! 🙂
Happy FMM!
Great pictures! Glad Neighborhood Dad knew the heimlich!
Happy FMM!
A terry cloth poncho? I’ve never heard of that one! Ha! Now I have seen the wash cloth sewn onto a towel which makes a “hood.”
And AMEN on the “While America may be flawed, she’s still the best country around!”
Awww, those are some great pictures!
So YOU are the trouble maker family that got the watermelon eating contest kicked out of the block party! Lol!! We have created havoc wherever our family goes, but I can’t think of something that has had to be cancelled due do us.
Sounds like super childhood memories. I would of loved to have seen your uncle jumping off the balcony. {{wish you had a picture}} I also would have LOVED to have seen your homemade ponchos {{again..pictures would have been awesome!}} hehe
Hope you and your family have a FABULOUS 4th!
Ok, before I read this I have to tell you, I’ve been watching your followers grow and was gonna tell you that when you get to 100 you should do a giveaway. To me. I’ll be the winner, OK? I mean, cuz I noticed it first and all… ; )
I agree with Mimi and look…you have 100 followers now. Wait I change my mind I think your gift should go to your very first flower. Oh, that would be me!
I think I may go make a ton of water balloons for a water balloon toss, that sounds like fun!
~S
The photos are so cute with the hula hoops!
Okay, I’m making your spinach and strawberry salad this weekend when we go to a cookout. Whew, glad that’s decided.
Ok, now I’ve actually read the whole post. Those pics of Grant and the hula hoops are SO cute. And Devin looking at his brothers eathing watermelon are awesome. I think he must get that from you.
You re-filled your drink! Ha!
I’ve never seen the show on the Columbia but I hear it can be cool. They sell illegal fireworks up in WA. Well, illegal for dumb Oregon, but we have people who make firework runs for a month before the 4th so they can shoot em off. : )
I hate whistling petes too. Know what I like? Those stupid snaky poopy things. And sparklers!
: )
Macey
Aww..I love the neighborhood party. WHy don’t people do these anymore? Oh right, cause it 1-0-frickin’-5 outside on the 4th here!!!
Hope you have a wonderful 4th of July what ever you plan on doing…..
~Becca
Yummmm….strawberry and spinach salad, I’ve had it but never made it…thanks for the idea!! Oh, and you commented on my rhodedendron bush….it’s one of my favorite things about Spring..when it blooms. I’m going to miss it terribly if we move, like we want to. I may never find another one as pretty!
We don’t have any tradition for Independence Day either.
We’re working on it too.
And I enjoy thinking back on traditions past.
This is a fun post!
Your Mom is a genius!
*connie cuts head holes in all of the beach towels*
That spinach and strawberry salad sounds divine! I can’t wait to try the recipe!
And that picture of Grant with the huge doggy is the cutest thing ever!
Happy FFM!
I so enjoyed this post! You have some great traditions!! A happy mom drinking a margarita is a good mom in my book!
I must say that I’m quite jealous of your husband and boys! How fun is that?!
Lovin’ those pictures! The one of itty bitty Grant are sooooo cute!
Again, your description of your mom soooo reminds me of my own mom 🙂
Lovin’ those pictures! The one of itty bitty Grant are sooooo cute!
Again, your description of your mom soooo reminds me of my own mom 🙂
Love the pictures!! Hope you and your family have a great 4th of July!! Happy FMM!!
I have this feeling that whatever you all do, it will be fun! Cocktails starting at noon is a great idea!
Enjoy!
-Christie
Oh I love the spinach and strawberry salad. One of my friends makes that in the summer. It’s really good.
Happy 4th!
The poor pooch looks like it’s ready for July 4th to be over already. I don’t think I’ve tried spinach and strawberries together, but I like them individually. You’ll have to post that recipe one of these days.
Sounds like it would of been alot of fun at your 4th of July parties growing up.
I love having block parties also.
I just loved reading about all your past traditions and July 4th activities! Good luck in creating some awesome new ones!
Loved the pictures too!
And I am SO making my kids beach towel panchos!
Visiting from SITS and N Ireland.
We don’t “do” 4th of July – and this year on the 4th I will be at a jewelery class in a local craft shop while my dh takes care of the kids.
Great post!!! Stopping by for SITS to say hi!!! 🙂
Your post had me laughing like crazy! You have a great way with words 🙂 Happy 4th!
Thank you for coming over to my blog to comment. I had already found your strawberry and spinach salad recipe. I have always like that kind of salsd and will be trying yours this week!
I like your blog!
That last statement is well said…we (the USA) definitely have our flaws, but there is still no other country I would rather live in! I LOVE the 4th of July!! It is definitely in my top 3 holidays. 🙂 I’m sure you guys will have a great time no matter what you end up doing! That Spinach Strawberry Salad of yours is going to be famous…it just pops up everywhere! 😉
Oh, and I’m still LOLing over your Uncle Mike and the cape…diving from the second story. That’s fantastic!
okay, I do need some help in joining in. I have always been pretty computer Literate and can figure it out, but I don’t know how to post a link and write the name of the blog over it, instead of the address. Will you please help me do all of this? I know you did give me instructions, but I need help on the linking back.
Thank you!
Those are great pictures!!! Thank you for adding my button:)
ONe of my favourite memories is the parades our neighbourhood would put on for Canada Day and Labour Day (the long weekend right before school started). We too would decorate our bikes and ride around the block.
In your defense, I’m sure it was a quick refill-you would’ve wasted the rest of the batch had you not acted so quickly!