This was me waiting for fireworks on the 4th of July, though it looks more like I’m waiting at the finish line for the Iditarod.
As it goes in Seattle, it rained and it was cold. We tried to convince the kids we’d be better off snuggling under a blanket watching Where the Wild Things Are, but no – WE WANT FIREWORKS TAKE US TO THE FIREWORKS.
Given that 90% of my parenting style is born from a keen sense of laziness, it was difficult to muster up the motivation to take my kids out in this weather. But apparently THIS was the day I was to turn a new leaf, to lose myself in the adventure, and to do something “enjoyable” for my kids that required effort.
So off we went.
We waited until 9:15 to head down to a Lake Washington pier near our house. Bryan had already parked the car down there for the drive back, so we walked the mile and a half or so, schlepping chairs and blankets. It was cold, but the weather seemed to be holding, and I thought maybe we’d be spared the rain.
Around 9:30 it started to rain.
It rained hard.
It rained and the wind blew.
The wind was cold.
My feet and legs were drenched and freezing inside five minutes.
At 9:35 Ruthie began to whine that she was cold and wet and wanted to go home to watch the movie.
We’re here because of you! I wanted to scream. But I didn’t. Well, I may have mentioned it. At any rate, Thomas threw a fit at the idea of going home, so Ruthie and Bryan waited in the car while Thomas and I braved the elements.
The only part of this adventure more harrowing than the rain and cold, was Thomas asking every 30 seconds when the fireworks were going to start – I wasn’t sure he was going to come out of the evening alive.
As I listened to the internet whine all month about the crappy whether in June, I tried to remind everyone that this is what Seattle DOES. And sure enough, the forecast beginning July 5th is amazing with sun.
I was dressed in 4 layers, 2 of which I count as my winter coat, a hat, and 2 hoodies, gloves and a blanket, in Oak Harbor, WA. The display was great. Thank goodness we parked ourselves in the middle of the crowd for a wind break!
[Given that 90% of my parenting style is born from a keen sense of laziness…]
Oh, you are SO my people! I think I’ll be laughing about that phrase for the rest of the day. And just so you know, I stayed home.