amazing fireworks!
Jen and I agree — tonight’s fireworks event was the best either of us have ever been to. Not just for the fireworks themselves, which were definitely amazing, and we had an amazing spot, but also for how great it was to enjoy it with our kids. Both of which had a blast! It was me, Jen, Erin, Carina (who has been visiting - yay!), Killy, and Ellie. We had been worried about how well Ellie would handle it, since she tends to be more timid then Killy ever was — but all for naught! She absolutely loved it.
Killy was getting restless as we were waiting. We were able to interest him somewhat in the fireworks in the distance (homeowners setting off their own small fireworks). He was interested enough to learn a new word, ‘lights.’ Later he also said, ‘big boom’ spontaneously, and finally said ‘fireworks’ (or at least a really good attempt) later on. But the small fireworks wouldn’t sooth the savage beast for long…. But finally the big fireworks started. Killy was in mid-stride, on his way off of the blankets to go romp in the field again when the first firework went up.
He never finished that step. He just froze for about three seconds, and then as if he were in slow motion sank into Jen’s lap. Never taking his eyes off! He stopped his little toddler-babble in mid-bab and from then to the end the only words out of him were “wow” and “oooh.”
And as I said, Ellie just loved it! She also stared, transfixed — at least for a while. After a few minutes she started shrieking (happily) and waving her arms — a big thumbs up from her! A few minutes more and she decided she wanted a snack, so we juggled the kids a bit and I plopped Killy down in my lap (I think it took him a while to even notice) while Jen took Ellie.
It was one of those amazing moments. Sitting there with Killy in my lap, next to Jen with Ellie in hers, watching fireworks. It was fifteen minutes of pure magic.
Killy seemed to think so, too. About 3/4 of the way through the show, he threw his head back and looked up at me. And I looked back at him. For about twenty seconds or so we locked eyes — an eternity during a fireworks display. We sat there smiling at each other, and the look on his face was completely transparent. “Thanks Daddy,” he was saying, “you do the coolest things with me.” Then he rested his hand on top of mine and we went back to watching the show in silent awe.
Until after the finale: when Killy realized the show had ended, he very politely said to no one in particular, “please more?”