A Late Fourth Of July Post

Hey, at least it's still July! We had a fun Fourth of July weekend, despite the rain. This summer has been deluge, drought, deluge, drought. The Fourth of July fell smack into a period of 3 inches of rain in five days. So Dan started doing fireworks with the kids two days early.

Here is Anne, with her prize parachute:

This is typical of how the kids watched Daddy shooting off the fireworks: Joseph, up closer and very interested; Catherine, not sure what will happen; Dominic, covering his ears to muffle the explosion; and Anne, hanging back and hesitant.

How often do you get to shoot off an army helicopter fireworks and get to play with it afterwards? Joseph claimed this one from the moment he saw it at the fireworks stand.

Catherine with one of the paper flags we got at the library:

Even Anthony got in on the fun with a parachute. Okay, this was accidentally staged, meaning the kids dropped it in as I took the picture.

Here they are, lined up and ready for more fireworks, on the Fourth of July:

How did Anthony do with all the loud explosions? I fully expected to have to take him inside for the duration, but other than being startled a few times, he did great.

Anne was the least excited about the fireworks, preferring instead to run about the yard and play.

The kids inspect the loot as Daddy gets it out:

Joseph is so excited that out come "The Claws."

Running through the smoke of smoke bombs. Whee!!

One final shot of all the kids enjoying the fireworks. Despite the sprinkles, which you can see on the pavement:

Happy Belated Fourth of July! It's never too late for patriotism!