Ted and I have been historically lousy with the trio of summertime holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day weekend. We never seem to have anything planned (except for that one Labor Day weekend about 13 years ago when we had ourselves a little wedding) and then the day or the weekend sneaks up on us and then we find ourselves sort of clueless and always lacking in plans. But this year, at least for 4th of July, a plan fell into place in an easy but unexpected way.
For the last five years, our friend Jonny has hosted a group of friends at his parents' place in Michigan, which sits overlooking the lake. It has for the most part always taken place in August and always been a mellow, happy gathering. This year, however, since everyone's schedules were so tight, the only weekend we could all agree upon was the 4th. (Hey, maybe we aren't the only ones who don't make big plans for this particular weekend.)
I don't know how the planets were lined up or why things somehow flow the way they do, but man, I think we had as close to a perfect 4th of July weekend as you could ever hope for. Or shoot, maybe my standards are just wonky since we don't have much to go on. No, I think it's the former, I think we had a gathering that was full of simple, joyful pleasures.
We certainly ate well, including homemade doughnuts and lots of berries.
And hot dogs & watermelon, of course! (And Tri-tip and local corn and Semi-Freddo for the grown-ups.)
We went and picked cherries. Both of the sweet and tart variety . . . plus we got to ride on a tractor-pulled hay wagon to do so.
We swam in the lake.
Nick, Ellen and Sam played board games, including Sorry! Chess and Monopoly.
We collected wood and rocks and built a bonfire with a stone circle around it. A few of us dug in the sand for hours without any interruption.
And it being 4th of July we busted out the fireworks--including poppers and sparklers.
This is Ben's first time ever holding a sparkler.
And then when the sun went down, the bonfire was lit and the "Big Boy" fireworks began. Sam was in pyrotechnic heaven. He went from being the kid that has never really seen a proper 4th of July fireworks show of any sort, to being the kid helping to light the "Thunder Crackling Wave" fountain cone thingy. Jonny went all out at the massive Phantom Fireworks store and so we had quite the impressive show. You know, big and dramatic enough that you are hooting and hollering for the booms and pops and showers of light. Genuine oohs and ahhhhs. I have to say, watching fireworks over a very large and peaceful lake is probably one of the best ways you can do it. Watching these fireworks sitting on an old weathered log on the sand with a bonfire blazing on the left, a cold beer in one hand and a melty s'more in the other is my idea of a heavenly happy way to celebrate Independence Day.
And the next day we headed back down to the beach for more swimming, more simply amazing beach action. It's funny, but my kids didn't ask me once when we were at the beach, what they could do. They just did it. They did it on their own for hours.
More digging, more swimming, more rock collecting.
I think Ted and I now have a pretty clear idea of how great a 4th of July weekend can be. And it doesn't take a lot, Just some friends and good food and a lovely setting, decent weather, water, wood, rocks, fire. Throw in some fireworks and it all becomes super special. Just as it should be.
I am crossing my fingers that we find ourselves doing the same thing or something very similar next year.
Comments