A First Fireworks Experience!

Daniel's first July 4th was last year, but it was rather uneventful.  He was eleven months old and went to bed peacefully and regularly at 7 PM each night.  We didn't change his routine and treated it as any other night.  Thus, he missed out on the celebration last year... the fireworks didn't even wake him!

This year, Daniel is falling asleep around 8:15PM each night, which is very close to 9 PM.  That's when the local fireworks display starts.  We went back and forth on going this year, since Elsa doesn't sleep in her car seat and since Daniel really does need his sleep in order to be a friendly guy.  Our friends the Dorrs told us about a great place to watch the fireworks they accidentally discovered last year.  Its a parking lot north of the stadium, free from traffic, smoke, firework noise, and crowds.  We decided to go!

Aunt Rachel and her boyfriend came for dinner and went to the fireworks with us, too.

Daniel was really sweet in the car on the way to see them..  He practiced saying his new word, firework.  He grinned a lot, too.  We could tell he knew we were doing something special.

We bought camp chairs and a beach towel to sit on.  It was really pleasant.  Daniel was happy his friends Emmie and T were there, too.

I had to point out when the fireworks began because Daniel was distracted by his friends, the location, and a nearby motorcycle.

He was stunned.

He said, "Wow. Woah. Wow."

He also said "Pow! Boom!".

Being so far away from the Stadium and the fireworks made it a little less exciting for us, but I don't think Daniel found it any less neat.  It was certainly different than being on the parking garages.  I liked that that there weren't other people around though.

 Elsa stayed in her car seat the whole time.  I don't think she figured out what was going on.  She fussed a bit, but when we got home, she slept from 10:30 until 5 AM.

Here are a few more scenes from the night.

The little boys were squirrely and very interested in lighting fireworks or looking at the motorcycle parked nearby.  We had to round them up on our laps a few times.

 The little girls didn't do too much this year.  I bet next year they will be running around and being goofy, too.

After the fireworks were over, Emmie shared his fireworks.

 

 DHH didn't actually like the sparklers.  He held one for about ten seconds, but then was content to just watch.

 He was okay just watching or holding an unlit sparkler.

My sister's boyfriend is from Turkey and hasn't celebrated very many American Independence Days.  This was his first time with a sparkler! 

 Then it was time for the Snaps.  DHH liked these.

He said, "POW" and also tried stepping on them, too.

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 It was a pretty fun night, and I am happy our two year old got to share this experience with our friends and family.

More Outside Play - Sandbox

Daniel just loves being outside to play. He throws fits when its supper time and must come in.  These photos are from the first time he played in a sandbox at my cousin Katherine's house in St James.

There are so many photos because he was looking especially handsome in that light blue polo (a gift from G. Aunt Sheila at Christmas time!)

Play usually looks a bit like for for Daniel.  He takes it so seriously!

Noticing the sand's texture.  He said, "wash" and tried to wash his hands in the sand.

The ball was in the sand, but he carried it across the yard to put away.  He used extreme caution while carrying it on his head the whole way.  Goofy boy.