Fourth of July, version 2023
Oh, say can you see?! Hooray! The venerable 4th of July is already upon us! Everett spent $80 of his own dollars on a package of fireworks and such the week before. He was very excited to burn that money! Justin got up early and left on a motorcycle ride to Silver City. He reported the Mormon Crickets were quite the spectacle, the view from the top was quite amazing too. The rest of us enjoyed a potluck ward breakfast at the church. I quickly threw together a bowl of peach burke because I did not pay attention to the potluck part when it was announced (maybe it was not announced as such?). We enjoyed visiting with our church family dressed in our patriotic outfits. I took a few 4th of July configuration photos to commemorate this years’ ensembles. The fireworks stand was beckoning to me, we stopped for fancy sparklers, super-sized snappers, and ladybugs. I worked on making a macaroni salad and fruit pizza for dinner. Justin was too tired after his ride to join us for swimming at public pool. It was on the cool side, swimming was a nice diversion but shorter than usual because everyone was freezing when not in the water. The Ostlers froze alongside us at the pool. Dusty grilled up burgers and brats for dinner with lots of sides and condiments. Amelia did some face painting. Evelyn had a craft table going. Toward evening we walked down to the Young’s home for fireworks. Last year was supposedly their last year of going all out, this year is now the last year! Everett and Alyssa set off most of his fireworks next-door to our party. Everett was hilarious to watch, darting here and there with a smoking light stick to blow up bits of paper and chemicals. Our boom protectors were quite handy for many small kids whose ears were ringing. Evelyn made several trips home to fetch more ear protection. Justin stayed home with the dogs most of the evening, when he did join us he jivved to whatever was playing through his ear buds. What a stinker, basically avoided everyone except the dogs and his motorcycle. The grand finale was around 11 pm, only one misfire this year. Yay! Thank you Young family for a very explosive 4th celebration. At home the kids and I set off our small pile of explosives. Furgus did quite well with the loud noises and bright lights. One Ladybug firework went zipping close to the ground near our neighbor’s yard! That was exciting. Our favorite were the pistol handle sparklers. We finally collapsed into bed around 1 am, the little girls delighted we made it well past midnight.
Justin had an early start back at work…in our home office! He is going through a rough patch, turning into a hermit. He later told me he was tired of dealing with frustrating people and situations, tired of the same old things. That is understandable. I spent most of the day mulling through and editing the newborn photos for little Dahlia. We all needed a lazy day in PJs, except me…I cannot hang out in PJs just my stretchy pants. Josie and I rushed off to violin at 10:30 after waking up at 10:15! We made it by a wing and prayer. Evelyn and Josie accompanied me to Walmart to pick up so prescriptions. We recently watched Jungle Book, the girls were happily singing the Bare Necessities. A tough-looking, tattooed, motorcycle gang dude walked up to the girls and gave them $3 because their singing lifted his spirits! They were thrilled to buy clearance glow sticks! Evelyn earned an ice cream cone certificate from Burger King for student of the week last school year. The BK worker gave Josie a free cone! I did not have enough cash to get her one, so that felt extra awesome. Nearly made me cry to witness the kindness of two strangers in succession.
Thursday was much the same, work and more work. Amelia decided to get her room painted with the cute green color we found on clearance at Walmart. She was ready to take her bedroom from tween (pink and blue) to teen. Sara helped her tape and cut in the edges, Amelia painted the inner parts. She got two walls painted before the end of the day. We finished the wall painting on Saturday, moving her bed away from the back wall.
By Friday we were bored out of our minds, what better way to stave off the boredoms than with an adventure to Jump Creek? Dusty wanted to join us this time so we had to wait for him and then Carson to come home from work at 3:30. I packed a picnic dinner of egg-salad sandwiches, cherries, and chips. The water was bbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrr, cold. We brought Furgus to experience the water. He had us all in stitches as he snuffled in the water then went into the deeper water swimming like the water dog he is not. He saw Ruby and Millie swimming around so went to join them! His little legs were churning as he paddled about. He was a shivering mass of soaking fur, he was so cold. Amelia, Ambree, Phillip, and Everett all braved the cold waterfall early on, those brave souls. Evelyn, Oliver, Josie, and I went on an exploring trip down the creek. Oliver had the girls convinced the moss growing on the rocks was poison ivy! They made little spots just down the creek for beds so snuggle down during a fun imaginative game. Justin arrived for a little while. We spotted him while adventuring down the creek! Yay. I finally braved the frigid water, getting the armpits wet is the hardest part.
Saturday I worked on cleaning the laundry room, it was back to its cluttered self. Mia and I worked hard to get the rest of her room painted and put back in order. She wanted to try a different furniture arrangement with her bed against the far wall. She has a fun little reading nook with her comfy chair and a better arrangement with her personal care items. She is very pleased! We just need to paint the blue part of her dresser a pale pink.
Sunday I had 50 minutes of singing time because the teachers had a training class during 2nd hour. I was pleased to review all the songs we will sing for the program. A couple of weeks ago we revised the program songs in favor for easier songs. I had 8 fun activities we quickly raced through. It was astonishing how quickly the time went by while we sang. Yay. After dinner I went over the the Ostler’s home for a campout meal planning session. Eliza, Sara, and I made assignments and lists for food and camp supplies. We’re going camping!!! Yippee!
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