A Favorite Summer Memory

This summer has been one of making memories, not taking the time to blog about the memories. However, now that the kids are back in school, I really hope to catch up on blogging some of my favorite summer times.  A couple of years ago, Daniel began a tradition of Fourth of July performances.  He spends a long time in advance of the big day preparing by building props.  For example, he builds forts, cars, factories, etc. out of popsicle sticks and hot glue.  Then he uses fireworks to prepare an attacking force.  In 2007, his village was attacked by enemies with tanks (think of those cardboard tanks with firecrackers in them).  The tanks would attack and then there would be a smoke bomb or screaming/whistling fountain to represent the screaming of the villagers.  In 2008, the performance was greatly enhanced.  This time the village was attacked by aliens.  There were small ships that flew in as well as a giant mother ship.  It was awesome!!!  After the attack scenes, there is the wagon of fire (our red wagon, totally loaded).  Finally, we do the "dancing fireworks."  That is, we do fountains and the kids (and sometimes the adults) get up and dance around it while it's burning.  This photo captures the essence of everything magical about the Fourth of July with Daniel.  He's a delight, an entertainer, and sometimes a heartstopper for his mom.  No matter what he's doing, though, he always has a little "Peter Pan, I'm never gonna grow up" attitude about himself.  That's what I love about this picture.  He's holding a butane lighter and a roll of tape that he used for the show, but he looks like Peter Pan with a sword.  It all makes me smile.