Well, I wouldn't exactly say we had a fun-filled 4th. Parts of it were fun. It was definitely an adventure.
The day started off good, with Chris taking us to the movies to see Wall-E. It was a really cute movie. Ian actually sat through the whole thing without saying, "Is it time to go home yet?".
When we got home, the kids went swimming. Afterward, I was really tired, so I laid down, with every intention of going to Lisa's 4th of July party at the lake (Chris had to work). I slept longer than I had intended and started trying to get us all ready to leave, even though it was already 7:30! I figured we could at least still make it for the fireworks. 
Well, someone in the neighborhood was already setting them off. I opened the front door to let Tobey in (because he's afraid of them), and the neighbor's dog, Grizzly, (a big chow), nearly knocked me over, running into my house! He was terrified. He ran around my house and wouldn't listen to anything I said. We even tried bribing him with treats. Nothing worked. Now, I'm a dog lover, but chow's make me nervous. And this isn't the most friendly dog. I'm worried he might bite one of my kids, or me! Did I mention that this is a very stinky dog? He REEKS. I finally grab hold of him gently, trying to push/pull him out (he has no collar), but he snaps and barks at me. Well, after that, I was distracted, what with all the poo in my pants.
By this time, I've lost my mind and can't remember the neighbors' last name (they're the ones w/the runaway cows). I call Chris and rant... he tells me their last name. Great. I get out the phone book. Guess what? They're not in the book. The clock is ticking. I'm getting more mad by the minute. I call my other neighbors.... the good neighbors.... I know they have the number. Guess what? They're not home. I leave a ranting message on their answering machine (I hate to suffer alone.) I decide we're just going to close all the doors in the house and walk next door (out in the country, next door isn't exactly "next door". No way to get through the barbed-wire fence! Finally, the kids find a place they can get through. I, however, cannot fit (as tiny and dainty as I am). So, they run to the house, through the 3 foot bahia, having to navigate yet more barbed wire fence.
No one's home. Shocker. So, the kids start to come back, only Bella gets stuck in the inside fence. Ian's yelling for me that she needs help. Now I'm slightly panicking. I don't hear any crying or screaming, so that's a good sign. I finally find a way in, but I have to push over a huge, heavy gate. Here I am, running through the 3' high bahia. I find Bella and get her loose. She's got a big scratch on her back and her new shirt is now torn. So, we head back to the house. I almost don't get the huge gate back up off the ground. I'm sure I will be feeling this in the morning. The whole way back to the house, I'm muttering and complaining, just so angry. Not exactly seizing the opportunity to show my kids a better way to be handling this situation!
Back at the house..... after just a little more prodding, we finally get Grizzly out. Thank the Lord!!! We're so happy!!! We stink, we're dirty, we're sweaty, we're itchy, but at least that dog is outta my house!! And what does he do? He starts jumping and scratching on my door! By this time it's close to dark. I'm past livid. I decide we are going to see fireworks if it kills me! When we open the door to head out, Grizzly almost makes it in again! We get to the car, Grizzly tries to JUMP IN my car! I'm just so beyond crazed at this point, but trying to stay sane for my kids, who really want to see fireworks.
We head down the road, where I pass the good neighbors coming in. I decide to leave them another message, this time, warning them about Cujo possibly coming to THEIR house. The whole way out of town, I think we might pass someone putting on a fireworks show. Nothing. We continue on into Tyler. Still nothing. Ian has fallen asleep by this point. I end up driving almost to Whitehouse, where my friend, Cherie, told me there would be a big display at a church. I've already called her, by the way, ranting about the canine situation!
Man! Was Cherie right. The highway on both sides was lined up with cars as far as you could see. I lucked out and found a good spot to pull over. I couldn't wake up Ian, but Bella and I got out, sat on the car, and watched what was the last 15 or 20 minutes of the show. All was not lost!! It was really fantastic. Bella loved it!
I had promised her we'd pick up some sparklers, so, I stopped at a stand and got some (and the guy even gave me a free box!... Did he sense I was having a bad night??). Then we stopped for ice cream on the way home. Poor Ian. He missed everything. I guess our earlier escapade proved just too much for him!
While Ian slept, Bella and I threw poppers and played with sparklers... We had a fun time!!
Tonight (Saturday), Ian got to have fun with sparklers and poppers! He was happy!
And I just thought this was a cute picture of him in the pool today!
Hope every one's 4th was totally fun but much less eventful than ours!!!!
He's feeling much better now, but he was just miserable for a couple of days, even missing some swim lessons. He made it for the last day, though!
