Fun on the 4th

You know me. Super low key and not at all interested in the traditional ways of celebrating. Aided this year by the fact we all seemed to have caught a summer cold.

We had brunch bagels. The kids even had some that were red, white and blue.

I got it in my head that what would make my holiday better was moving everything out of the kitchen and mopping. I often use Swiffer Wets to clean the floor but there is something very satisfying about moving everything and deep cleaning.

In my defense, when I clean the floor I listen to Hamilton. (Do you have specific soundtracks for tasks in your life?) And that is pretty patriotic so probably it was destined.

The kids made a fort with the table and chairs, a time-honored tradition when mopping the floors.

After dinner with red, white and blue star-shaped Rice Krispy treats for dessert, we settled in to watch The Music Man. It's funny, we started that last year and my kids took it as gospel. They got the DVD out and even told my parents about it on Skype. Admittedly, it's a good one. And the town of River City does celebrate the 4th of July during the movie. AND it takes place in Iowa so it really is the best musical for the 4th. 

They made it to 76 trombones watching straight through, then we skipped around to the songs because we had told them we couldn't light the glowsticks until after "Shipoopi." 

Madeline of 5 years ago is just patting herself on the back for coming up with the glowstick dance party Fireworks on TV plan, because again, my kids take that as set in stone. Due to the colds, Husband and I were slightly less excited about the dance party portion of the evening this year, but C was insistent that "everyone has to dance, it's what we do." 

As you can see, we were fully stocked with glowsticks! And then at 8:30 the Macy's Fireworks began. They were way cool this year using the Brooklyn Bridge for some of them. The NBC director really biffed it with the finale shots though. Way too many close-ups and once there was a shot of just blank sky while stuff was happening somewhere else. But we had fun anyway!

And at 9:00, just as the buggy, crowded local fireworks were set to begin, my kids went off to bed. Leaving the aftermath of glowsticks in their wake. But it was kind of sweet actually. 

I hope you had a lovely, safe 4th. Have a good weekend!!