Fourth of July

This is a confusing holiday for the masses. On one hand, the news is reporting an increase in Covid-19 cases, Kansas is requiring mask-wearing for all public spaces and many of the firework shows were cancelled to discourage large groups of people from gathering together. 

Then again, Kansas is actually doing pretty well. Our numbers are holding pretty low. We planned a cookout with the Guenthers and Flynns. We have done everything with them for the last decade. We are going to keep doing so. We are on private property and it's 95 degrees out and 110% humidity. We plan on stuffing our faces and we will not be wearing masks. 

We like to follow the rules, but then we sometimes just don't because it seems so.....stupid. 

But hey, let's compromise. I promise to wear them in Walmart and gas stations and public bathrooms. I'll even wear them to church. I draw the line at the pool. 

Now.

Back to celebrating. 

We made burgers and dogs and lots of yummy side dishes. Then we sat around and talked until the kids had polished off the entire 9x13 of Chocolate Lasagna. 

Kate did some face paint on the girls

And Ryan listened to Megan play and showered her with praise. I love that he hasn't hit that stage where he's embarrassed to be kind and open. 

We drove back to our cul de sac to light off our little collections of pyrotechnics. Mari and Martin's neighbors have a reputation for calling police on suspect behavior.  Oh...did I mention that fireworks are illegal? Not sure how they would enforce those laws tonight...the entire city was lit up! People are cooped up and they're bored.

We did our handful and started burning through the 3 dozen sparklers I've had in the closet for the last few years....

We even had some of those fabulous snakes!

Our favorite was the Emoji!! It lit up like a jack-o-lantern!

And the roman candles. They make everyone feel like a wizard!

And then the neighbors want bananas! They were blowing up the big stuff! I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that we live right by the fire station! Hopefully the firefighters could enjoy them from their parking lot...lol.

We did drive out to Gardner to watch the fireworks over the lake. We were pretty late, but we still saw some beautiful ones.

We didn't stay too long...we were tired.

Grateful for our free country. I'm grateful we have the choice to choose and even argue with each other about what we think is right. I'm especially thankful for our dear friends and the fun traditions that we have built together year after year. Happy Fourth!