GTKY: Fourth of July

[Lakes]

How do you celebrate?

[Lakes]

Growing up we always saw fireworks on the lake. My small town always put on quite the display and you could get really close. My dad had a stash of smaller fireworks (sparklers, screaming Mimi's, Roman candles, etc) too so we'd often have a bonfire, set off some of our own, and throw something on the grill.

As an adult we normally go down to the shore with mh's family. There's always grilling and amazing food. But we don't go see any fireworks which makes me sad. But the thought of going to the boardwalk, finding parking, and dealing with all those people to get close to the beach fireworks doesn't seem like much fun.

[carrots]

I love love love the 4th! It's always been a low key but fun day and the perfect summer day. Usually I run the worlds largest 10K early in the morning then come home for a nap. We spend the afternoon cooking out with friends (we rotate who hosts) and then walk to see fireworks.
I haven't run the race since 2014 though bc in 2015 I had a 9 day old and last year I had stopped running bc 1st tri tired. And we haven't seen fireworks since 2014 since DS goes to bed so early and is a monster if we keep him up.
This year we're heading to visit my sister in Chicago for the weekend! She's having a baby in a month so we're going to break in all her baby gear and play tourist all weekend. We'll fly home on the afternoon of the 4th so I doubt we will do anything that evening.

[ellabee]

For the past few years, we celebrated on our roof "deck" (aka, flat top rubber roof) on top of our 3 family house. From that height, we can see the firework display from the city. We'd queue up the synchronized music from the live show on an ipad and it was almost like being there (minus the crowds!).

We've since moved, so I don't think our tenants would appreciate us bringing friends through their house and partying on their roof all night.

This year we'll be spending it down the Cape at our new place with my in-laws.

My most memorable 4th was when my inlaws had their sailboat and we were going along the coast of Maine and we stopped in a little cove and watched them do fireworks over the water. So much fun!

[pibblemom]

My dad and I used to go racing every holiday weekend through the summer until 2010 when my parents ended up splitting and the shit hit the fan. Since then we haven't had any traditions. I think we've grilled at my in laws a few times bc they have a great backyard and a pool.


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[judyblume14]

The 4th has always been my favorite holiday - I love cookouts and swimming and fireworks. We always went to my aunt and uncle's house growing up for a really big shindig. We watched fireworks and did sparklers, and played volley ball, and had cannonball contests.

This will be the second year of us hosting a pool party / cookout at our house. I anticipate that it will be pure hell. The thing is, when you host a party, you get to plan, prep, pay and stress over it. You don't get to enjoy it. Especially not with a sassy toddler and teething baby

[summergirl1211]

Growing up we'd always go to the cabin and get together with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. We'd drive to a nearby town and watch fireworks and then watch the randoms over the lake when we got back. There was always a ton of people and we'd have fun swimming, skiing, fishing and grilling out.

As a grown up we still do that most years. We rotate which holidays we go visit my parents so sometimes we stay home. If we're around we'll take part in our city's 4th of July festivities, including a parade, and watch fireworks from our house since they do them at the high school nearby.