Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Fireworks season is awesome. Yes, there are exceptions like veterans with PTSD and some animals that really have a hard time with the celebrations that this time of year brings. And, yes, there is always an influx of patients in the emergency room who were drunk and stupid and stood too close to a bottle rocket. Or you're my sister and you stepped on a sparkler and effectively melted it into the bottom of your foot. But overall fireworks are pretty cool and I love this time of year. Here's my list of reasons why:

* There is a fireworks show within driving distance every weekend, sometime multiple nights in the same weekend, for over a month encompassing the actual holiday. It's possible to see 10+ shows not including all the random ones that go off around the neighborhood.

* There are events. Carnivals, festivals, parades. 

* The events have food. Elephant ears, cotton candy, kettle corn, and that hand shaken lemonade that is basically just a cup of sugar. Delicious. 

* The season is full of nostalgic traditions that I'm passing on to my kids; catching fireflies while we wait for the fireworks to start, barbecues, going up north for the weekend, sparklers (unless you're my sister. She's not allowed to have them anymore), and the cake decorated with cool whip, strawberries, and blueberries.

* A three day weekend to enjoy it a little longer. 

* Our nation's freedom and what it all represents. 

* Wearing red, white, and blue with pride and the excuse to make it way over the top. Giant star spangled sunglasses anyone?

It's actually not my favorite holiday but the fourth of July is definitely up there as far as celebrations go. And I do enjoy any excuse to use streamers. What are your favorite traditions?