Fourth of July

Usually my husband and four other men in the neighborhoos go to Evenston, purchase illegal fireweorks, and work diligently at setting a bad example for the kids and attempting to catch the neighborhood on fire. Me and the other wives sit back and watch all of this with great trepidation. Random thoughts of responsibilty, cost, and safety run through our heads as we try to keep all of the kids (there are ten of them) at a safe distance from the mêlée. The men, on the other hand, are running around with their blow torch's lighting anything with a wick.
This year was different. With rising gas and food costs and the inability to find the time for a jaunt to Wyoming, the River Oaks neighbood was much safer and quieter. Our family went to see a movie in the morning, cleaned the house, and lit small fireworks in the driveway. It was nice and I didn't age 5 years in one night!