The Fourth: Fire and Water
The kids and I spent the Fourth of July at my parent's house - always a good place to have some fun. As usual, we packed in loads of activity.
Martin set up the front yard for some t-ball practice, working on his swing and talking Sophie into acting as his retriever.
We took the kayak out a few times, making it most of the way around the bay before turning back.
Martin is pretty good at paddling (or whatever it's called when in a kayak), while Sophie prefers being a passenger.
We did some swimming, and once our bodies got over the shock of the cold water and adjusted to the temperature, it was pretty enjoyable. The weather was really nice and like any good summer day, the kids spent much of it in their swimsuits.
They left their shoes behind, preferring instead to walk around barefoot most of the time. It wasn't a problem until Martin got a tiny sliver in his foot and Grandma Jane had to perform minor surgery on his foot with her extra fine tweezers.
We had bonfires both nights - the kids staying up late enjoying marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire.
Sophie was pretty content to sit still, but Martin wandered around poking the fire and begging for the fireworks to begin. I caught him here, moving like the wind.
We let the kids try some sparklers. Sophie was a bit timid, holding hers at a full arms length.
Martin, of course, was entranced by the fire and lit a new one as soon as the old one had fizzled to the end. He liked to light his own, holding it in "Hell" which is what mom's friend Betty told Martin the glowing coals were called in the bonfire. She also told him that Hell is where he'd go if he were naughty. This was right after Betty's husband Rich told Martin that he liked the Fourth of July because it was all about "lighting things on fire and liquor". All good lessons for a five year old boy to learn.
After much begging and pleading, dad set up the staging area and lit a few fireworks. I think that Martin would have stayed up all night lighting fireworks if we would have let him.
Martin and Grandpa Pat enjoying the best on-the-ground fireworks that North Dakota had to offer.
Martin set up the front yard for some t-ball practice, working on his swing and talking Sophie into acting as his retriever.
We took the kayak out a few times, making it most of the way around the bay before turning back.
Martin is pretty good at paddling (or whatever it's called when in a kayak), while Sophie prefers being a passenger.
We did some swimming, and once our bodies got over the shock of the cold water and adjusted to the temperature, it was pretty enjoyable. The weather was really nice and like any good summer day, the kids spent much of it in their swimsuits.
They left their shoes behind, preferring instead to walk around barefoot most of the time. It wasn't a problem until Martin got a tiny sliver in his foot and Grandma Jane had to perform minor surgery on his foot with her extra fine tweezers.
We had bonfires both nights - the kids staying up late enjoying marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire.
Sophie was pretty content to sit still, but Martin wandered around poking the fire and begging for the fireworks to begin. I caught him here, moving like the wind.
We let the kids try some sparklers. Sophie was a bit timid, holding hers at a full arms length.
Martin, of course, was entranced by the fire and lit a new one as soon as the old one had fizzled to the end. He liked to light his own, holding it in "Hell" which is what mom's friend Betty told Martin the glowing coals were called in the bonfire. She also told him that Hell is where he'd go if he were naughty. This was right after Betty's husband Rich told Martin that he liked the Fourth of July because it was all about "lighting things on fire and liquor". All good lessons for a five year old boy to learn.
After much begging and pleading, dad set up the staging area and lit a few fireworks. I think that Martin would have stayed up all night lighting fireworks if we would have let him.
Martin and Grandpa Pat enjoying the best on-the-ground fireworks that North Dakota had to offer.
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