July Fourth

Just like last summer, we got to have Lil Bro come stay with us for July 4th this year.  Unlike last year, I did a notably terrible job of taking photos to remember said visit.  Actually, I have none with Lil Bro in them.  Sorry!  

J-Man went out to see Lil Bro graduate high school in June, and because family can be complex and emotional and graduations can make you become surprisingly reflective and a big mostly because Lil Bro is joining the MARINES next month, we figured one more visit was in order.  And what better time than celebrating our country to hang out with a kid, excuse me, young man, about to dedicate his life to serving it for the next eight years?!

I'll spare my commentary on July 4th celebrations.  Maybe at a dinner party you can get me going on how independence is great and I love this country and am thankful to be born here but the extensive sentimentality for men who would've valued me as property on multiple levels when they were alive does get under my skin after a while.  I mean, come on, this place and our national prosperity has pretty much been forged on exploitation of various cultures.  But right, fireworks!

The actual day was crazy busy.  It started with a pancake breakfast at church.  While J-Man may not love pancakes, he does love bacon, and this activity had been described as low-key, aka the missionaries wouldn't swarm all the non-members, so I figured it would be good.  And it was.  Just a bunch of Mormons raising a flag, singing a couple of go-USA songs, and eating a ton.

From there we napped, obviously, and then set out for lunch.  I'd forgotten that lunch with a bunch of single guys really is just meat on a grill and beers.  Which was fine.  Just a little amusing.  I would've gladly brought some fruit or pasta salad or something.  Maybe a pitcher of lemonade.  But it was good company and no one seemed to mind our toddling kiddo running around throwing rocks and popping bubbles.

We headed to Long Bridge Park in Crystal City, where maybe we'll go again next year.  The shade was minimal, but PDG and I found a tiny tree to sit under while the boys, eh, men, played kickball with a whole range of people.  Despite dripping in sweat, everyone was happy.  As others placed their blankets out to watch the fireworks later, we packed up and headed home.  No, not home.  Not really.  Just long enough to grab a couple things and go to our BFFs to play in the kiddie pool and unwind.

Lil O had gotten his fill of the pool already that day, but PDG loved it.  LOVED IT.  And then later he and Lil O worked together to destroy it.  boys......

By the time we got home we were exhausted.  But somehow, perhaps the pregnancy card?, I convinced the guys to let me watch both the DC fireworks on PBS as well as the NYC ones.

I love my G boys.  All of them.  And I can't wait to have another one to add to the madness.