Writhing - that is what I have been doing lately. I am wanting out of my shell in a big way. Those vacations can’t come soon enough. So this 4th, I told Chris we should go see the fireworks Downtown. I even had a secret plan - the new Town Lake fountain park was wide open and right next to Auditorium Shores where the main action was taking place. I was thinking we could be out of my main crowd, but yet able to get a great view of the fireworks. The kids would have more room to run around and the fountains nearby. My friend Susan further simplified the adventure by suggesting we bike down there from their house instead of drive.

It couldn’t have worked out any better. The weather was breezy, mild and inviting - not at all hot. The park was much busier than I had ever seen it, but still in no way crowded blanket to blanket.

We had a fantastic picnic - gourmet grilled veggie sandwiches with pesto and fresh mozzarella (made my me!), Blueberry oat bars, a fresh locally-grown watermelon from our CSA, cherries, carrots, and tamari nuts. Not to mention fabulous Maine Root rootbeer and Real Ale beer. And we could even faintly hear the symphony playing in the distance.

When it came time for the fireworks, turns out we were front and center for the show. Tyler kept worrying they were going to fall on our heads! And wow, I forgot just how breathtaking fireworks can be!! The technology has come a long way from when we were kids. It was a good 20 minute show if not a longer and the kids were pretty enthralled. As Tyler described the next day, “They were going boom! boom! boom!”

The kids were a bit cranky getting to bed, but passed out fairly quickly. It was so worth it. I loved being out with all the people comfortably near the middle of the action! I felt so alive - it was really wonderful.