A quiet 4th

Tom and Tobey went over to Lu Mansion for a 4th BBQ. Because of Eli's nose and cough, it's a quiet 4th at home for me and Eli as we opted to keep his germs away from the other kids and not mess up his sleeping schedule. We didn't stay at home as I was happy to do some "easy" shopping, i.e., just one kid and without a chatty toddler in my backseat.

Re: Fireworks - I was a little bummed not to be able to share in the fireworks experience with Tobey. A year ago we went to the Santa Clara Central Park fireworks in a truly local 4th celebration: takeout Popeye's chicken with the playdate families and consoling Tobey when the loud "firepops" started. He couldn't stop talking about firepops for weeks after. And ever since we missed the fireworks at Niagara Falls, Tobey talks about them a lot and I was glad that the 4th was coming up. I'm even excited to TiVo some of the big fireworks displays on TV (NYC, DC) so Tobey can keep enjoying them in the coming days.

Seeing A Capitol Fourth on TV reminded me of my childhood, trekking down on the Metro or my dad fishing for parking for the downtown fireworks. Hot, humid, but undoubtedly 4th. And so I think there will be plenty of years ahead to see the fireworks, hopefully while our kids still have the wonder of "ooh ahh" when they see the booming fireworks. I sometimes do, even just seeing them on TV!