Happy 4th of July

Ok, so I'm a little late in wishing everyone a happy fourth of July. But I don't think that will surprise most of devoted readers.

One of my earliest childhood memories is of my mom putting my hair in pigtails. I would beg her all year to put my hair in pigtails. She would only do it on the 4th of July. I know she was busy. She had 3 little ones to take care of and her mother was sick and lived us for a while. My hair was long and always had knots. It was a chore for her to brush it or do anything with it. So the 4th of July was special. I felt like a princess when she practically pulled my scalp off with the comb used Johnsons No More Tangles and brushed my hair. Then she would use a little bit of conditioner until all the knots were gone and my hair was free. She would put it in pigtails and I would dance around the house until it was time to go to the fireworks.

I don't remember actually going to the fireworks or anything else other than the pigtails.

I have 2 boys. No girls. So I can't continue the pigtail tradition. (Their father might kill me if I tried!) Sometimes I wonder what my kids will remember from their childhood. Will they remember that my husband and I took them to the pancake breakfast at the fire station? Will my 5 year old decorating his scooter so he could ride it in the children's parade? Will my 7 year old remember his father walking belong side him while he rode on the cub scouts float? Will they remember barbecuing hot dogs and sipping soda on the deck? Or will they remember that mom and dad were tired and hot and took a nap in the afternoon while they were left to play video games for a few hours?

It was after 11pm when we came inside from doing fireworks with our neighbors in the cul de sac in front of our house. When I walked my kids upstairs and helped them get ready for bed my 7 year was still very excited. He looked at me and said, "Mom, wasn't this the best night EVER?!"

"Yes, it sure is the best night ever."