Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is always quite a celebration.

For one, Riverside has very lax laws on fireworks....so there are tents EVERYWHERE selling fireworks.  And fireworks have been heard out outside for weeks.  But not like tonight. It's almost midnight and it still sounds like a war zone out here.  Wonder how long people will be out.

Tyson's at work looking at pictures of people with missing limbs due to firework explosions.

But we did have quite a fun celebration!

After cleaning the house and trying to get kids to be quiet so Tyson could sleep, we were to go to a Fourth of July party with neighbors.

I love our neighbors, I'm sure I've mentioned that before...if not, it should have been mentioned because they are awesome.

They invited us over for amazing BBQ brisket sandwiches, funeral potatoes, beans, chips and salsa, pasta and potato salad, and drinks.  Not to mention two tables full of desserts during the firework show!  

It wasn't the most relaxed firework show I've ever been too.

First, Molly decided to touch the end of a sparkler and burned her thumb.  Had to go in and treat that.

Then Eden burned her leg.  Had to go in for treatment number two.

Paige got a little nervous with the loud fireworks. So, we went to the park to swing. Paige loved the fireworks from a distance that wasn't so loud. 

The rest of my kids joined us at the park and found that one of the best firework shows is out in nature with the fireflies.  They had a lot of fun catching them.

Then Eden burned her leg AGAIN.  This time not as bad.

Paige and Molly decided that they would rather go to bed than stay up and watch fireworks. So I took them in and put them to bed.

Then in runs Eden, a part of lite up firework fell and landed on her foot, burning her a THIRD time.  After that she came in crying saying the Fourth of July is her least favorite holiday because she gets burns and everything is too scary and loud.

She spend the rest of the night comfortably inside the house.

Leila was in love with the whole event.

She went out with her friends to pop poppers, play with sparklers, eat desserts, watch the fireworks, and just have fun.  She didn't want to be done when the night was over. She loved it. That often happens. When Eden thinks something is too scary, Leila tends to love it.

Tonight was a great night.

I don't think I got a picture of Leila. She was so busy doing her thing I am not sure I saw her most of the night.

My only Fourth of July regret...I wish I didn't just "slide past" U.S. History and actually learned something back in the day. I wish I understood more about this incredible day in our history so today would be less about pyrotechnics and food. I keep thinking if I keep homeschooling to the year where we study U.S. History the maybe I'll be forced to take some time to actually study and learn more about it.  One day.