I'm soooo not in the mood to go see fireworks tonight, but really don't want to keep my kids from doing something that only happens once a year that could be a lot of fun. I know this is lame, but I scrapbook and would hate to not have 4th pics.
It's over 100 degrees. The fireworks are on a dry field next to the school (I've heard). We've never gone here (moved here in Aug of last year), and I'm not sure what to expect. I don't expect shade, or a scenic view (we went to a lake for several years until we moved).
The oldest is 4 1/2 and she wants to go. The 2 y.o. "wants" to go because sissy wants to go. She may be terrified.
If we go, I was thinking of going around 8 p.m. It's still going to be mid 90's. It doesn't get dark here until 10 p.m.
I just don't feel all that festive this year. We didn't even put our flag out. Didn't even occur to me until late today. This heat is zapping the life out of everything! It's working on 80 degrees in the house WITH THE AIR ON. We live in newer house, and it just can't keep up. And I haven't turned anything on that produces heat.
TALK ME INTO IT!!!!!! Give me a guilt trip. Please. The hubs is willing to just sit and watch t.v.
Well, the 4 year old has done it for me. She saw a clip from the news and realized that it was TODAY! She is super excited. So, we are going. I'm going to go shower (I'm sweating as I sit here), and will leave my hair wet. That should help, right!?!? We'll put the girls in comfy (but festive) dresses, and do a drive by first. We live close enough if that we need to swing back home for something, we can.
Thanks for the support. I appreciate it. We also have one of those spray bottle fans. Puttin' ice water in that puppy! Enjoy your night, ladies (and gents). :)
ETA: So we went and had a pretty good time. The coolest temp now is 88. Ugh. We stayed cool enough. We stopped and got some junk food, which was funny in itself. The girls never get junk food and were kind of lost in the gas station trying to decide. They didn't even know what most of the stuff was, and then choose trail mix. Love it! The DVD player was a serious save tonight when the 2 year old said she didn't like the fireworks. She reconsidered after about 10 minutes and watched them with us. Our 4 year old was OUT OF HER MIND happy. So worth it!
I lived in MN for 6 years before we moved back to Indiana. 100 degrees up there is CRAZY!!!! But, you all have gotten rain so I'm not feeling too sorry for you. :) We are dry as a bone and have 100 degree temps with high humidity. The grass was extra crunchy. I did miss watching the fireworks off of the lake and having a carnival atmosphere, though.
Thanks again. Talk to you all tomorrow! :)
Take the kids and bring cotton balls for ear plugs for the little one. Kids don't care about how hot it is they just want to have fun. Bring a small cooler with some drinks, a blanket and/or lawn chairs.
I guess I am just used to the heat living here in Florida and I won't let it stop us from going out and having a good time.
It's not like it is 150 degrees out, you will all be OK for one night.
Nope, not going to guilt you. Use your 2 year old as an excuse. It will be noisy, crowded (I'm guessing), hot, and late. Do you think she'll have much fun like that? Or even your 4.5 year old, who may just fall asleep?
I'm all for celebrating the 4th - I think it should be a priority for everyone to take a day to appreciate this amazing nation - but you can find other ways. How about doing some July 4th crafts together? Making flags from construction paper? Making a fruit salad of strawberries and blueberries, with whipped cream on top (keepin' the red, white, and blue theme going)? Watching "A Capitol Fourth" on PBS (fireworks by TV - not nearly as good, but can be an ok substitute in a pinch). Doing a patriotic-song sing-along. Take pictures of the girls making the flags, and use that for the scrapbook.
Just go, we're in the deep south and the heat here is unlike anything else. My kids are 5,3,1 we still went to the parade this morning, ran out of gas in this freakin heat, went swimming, going to a friends house in a bit and then we are going to see the fireworks tonight. My husband and I have been snappy with each other cause it's hot(and because I waited too long to get gas) but alas the kids are having a blast and I'll only have smiling pictures!
J.:
Put wash clothes (enough for one or two for each family member) in a ziploc bag with ice cubes and a water. Put them in an ice chest....when you get there - ring them out and put them on the back of your necks.
I would go. Make sure you have plenty of water and bug spray.
if you weren't so far away - i'd say come here!!
It was hot here for our fireworks (although not quite that hot). Anyway, we waited until the sun started to set to head out to the park, and it was actually quite pleasant out for the fireworks show.
Start freezing some grapes.
Take super cold water bottles.
You all will have a great time.
Skip the fireworks in this heat. Remember with a 2 year old, the late hour and loud noises, you may have to pack up and go home anyway. (There is no way to predict how a tired toddler will react to fireworks.)
Find something else fun to do that is cooler and earlier. Ice Cream? A wading pool? Run through the sprinkler?
I would go. Take snacks and drinks. Something like Gatorade, you can water it down.
I like the idea of the wet wash cloth. Never thought about that before.
We will be heading out to the Redondo Beach for our fireworks this evening.
You can take an ice chest full of small pieces of ice. Put some freezer bags in with ice already in them. Use these bags and put them behind you in your seat. It will help cool your core and you'll feel more comfortable.
You can also use squares of fabric with ice rolled up in them, like an old fashioned head band. Then wrap this around the back of your neck or put it under your breasts where the body is the warmest.
My son is only 15 months so we're enjoying this holiday off while we can. There's no way you can pull us out of our a/c right now. Especially since my husband works in an un-air conditioned shop every day, he needs to cool down while he can. We are not heat people, hence loving our northern MN winter weather :P
Sorry no way I am going out in this heat! They put it on TV anyway. :)
For next year, since the 4th is almost over get the water packs you drink from fill them with cold water to keep you hydrated and cool. For the kids get the fans with the water and bring plenty of water.
I learned that if you keep your feet, head and wrists cool them you don't feel this heat so much. They actually sell on the internet wrist bands to cool you off.
Happy 4th.
I hope all of my daycare parents with preschoolers were not so convinced as you were. Between the heat (here in MN we broke our own record and hit 101*.....at 7pm it is still 99 out there), and the fact that fireworks don't start till 10pm here as a general rule and last 20-30 minutes, then a pack up and drive home...my crew would be exhausted for me in daycare tomorrow.
I hope I am not the fallout guy for my crew! I know most of my provider pals took thurs and fri off for that reason! I just couldn't afford the time off this year.
Hope yours is a bit cooler and calmer! Happy Freedom Day!,
good morning J.! i'm glad you decided to go. i was just like you - 100+ degrees for like three weeks now, NO rain, fire hazards. bleh. i just wasn't feeling it. but we always do a huge family thing out in the country at my moms so i went. hubby stayed home - he had to be up at 6:30 this morning to work so i let him off the hook, while i have this whole week off for vacation.
anyway, my son and my 5 year old niece both went APE over the fireworks. it was worth it. if ONLY for them lol. i'm glad we both stepped up for our kids.
