4th of July and Draper Days

This year for 4th of July we broke tradition, and lit our own fire works.  Normally we go to a nice park, play some outdoor games, eat a picnic dinner,  and then watch fireworks while playing with glow sticks. However, this year we asked Jason's coworker Brad if we could come over and light some fireworks at his house.  Brad has a daughter similar age to my boys, so we thought it would be a nice, relaxing night.  We brought the jump house, and lots of kids from the neighborhood joined us.  Brad cooked a ton of food, and I felt really bad that the picky eater inside me didn't want to try half of it!

The entire week before 4th of July I was really excited to shot off our own fireworks. I never got to do that as a kid, so the idea was thrilling. However, I completely underestimated the panic I would experience. The loud noises really scared me (I feel like I'm ninety years old), and Wesley (who loves fire) constantly ran out in the middle of the street while two other neighbors were lighting them off. There were a total of three families, including us, lighting fireworks on Brad's cul-de-sac, as well as all the other people in surrounding areas. This night was LOUD, crazy, and overwhelming. I can't even explain how terrified and scared I was all night.  I know I sound like a wuss, but I just couldn't handle seeing my boys get so close to fireworks being shot in the air. I don't remember feeling so much panic in a long time.  My boys, however, had a BLAST.  I think it was their favorite fourth of July ever.  I, on the other hand,  was really wishing we just went to a nice, calm park instead!  Growing up my family never lit our own fireworks.  Heck, I never even held a sparkler!!  All the stress and loud noises caused me to have a pretty bad dizzy/nauseous spell the next day.  Needless to say - it was not my ideal night.  I'm still surprised at my reaction to the fireworks.  At least my boys had fun!

Most of the cities in Utah have some kind of annual festival during the Summer.  My city puts on Draper Days - its a week long extravaganza complete with rodeo, races, concerts, vendors, food trucks, parade, and fireworks.  My boys loved the parade and all the candy and free items they collected from it.  I was actually impressed by the quality - there were some nice floats.  We were really lucky that the weather that morning was overcast and cool since we had a spot without shade.  That night we went to a quiet park with some friends to watch the fireworks.  My boys didn't want to sit still to watch, and ended up running all over the park most of the night with their friends.  It wasn't the relaxing evening I was hoping for, but at least I got my fireworks in the park I missed on 4th of July. I don't know why I still expect to have relaxing evenings with three boys - you think I would learn by now!!

Chase's favorite - a Jurassic Park Jeep