This was a fantastic 4th of July. Deanna, Patty, Eddy, and I all went to downtown Akron to see the fireworks. Originally it was not clear there would be fireworks, since there was a rumor that Akron actually did not have the funds for it, because of the recession, but they did end up having the show. It was different than other 4th of July firework shows in Akron though, because they blocked access to the bridge that people usually congregate around to watch the show. I believe that was due to the construction. It was the kind of 4th of July that I think might have started a new family tradition. The fireworks are only about 2 miles from my house in downtown Akron, so this year instead of fighting the traffic and all the hassle of finding parking for the event we just rode our bikes. It was a great idea and it worked out splendidly.
The ride downtown was not too bad. I think it took me almost as long to do some quick maintenance on the bikes before we left as it took us all to ride the two and a half miles downtown. I worry sometimes having to ride my bike around so many fast moving cars with the kids in tow, but we were able to take a lot of side streets before we had to get on any main routes. Patty ended up suggesting that we go down to the park area where you see the pictures taken from. This is actually where the towpath runs through Akron. We have not gone on the towpath this year, but we should probably get around to that in the next month. People were standing on the bridge that you see in the pictures, but we all wanted to sit down on something that was not cement.
The fireworks show itself was pretty mediocre. The kids were teasing each other and generally restless before, after, and during the show. I do not remember if I was unable to sit still and wait for fireworks when I was their age, but I know I really appreciate fireworks now. The show might not have been cancelled, but it was evident that there were some cutbacks. The firework show started much later than it was supposed to, there was not much of a grand finale, and I think the entire show lasted approximately 10 minutes. Despite all these things though a firework show is still sort of an amazing thing to just sit and watch.
When the fireworks were over we had to head back home. I did not want to say anything, but I was leading, so I led everyone to McDonald’s. It was a little out of the way, and there was a very long line when we got there, but it was completely worth it to have some ice cream before going home. When we got home I opened up the boxes of Sparklers that I got at Wal-Mart and started lighting them up. The kids ran around the front yard pretending that they were in some sort of Harry Potter adventure (as a side note Eddy is actually reading all of the Harry Potter books). I always promised myself that I would make sure that my kids got to run around with Sparklers.
The kids mother, Kristy, Becky and her two children, Patty, Grandma, and Deanna all were present for Eddy’s 12th birthday. Next year will be his turn to be a teenager, but for right now he is not there yet. It is always good to have so much family around for a birthday celebration. Just like every birthday for the past couple years this one was a cookout. I am thinking that next year I will have to start investing in higher quality beef though, because I am not liking how the burgers are coming out. Everything was good, but I think everything can be better.
Eddy did not receive a great deal of gifts for his birthday this year, and I am told by parents who have older children that this theme will continue. Older they get the more expensive the gifts get and so it follows that they receive fewer. This year Eddy got a blue DSi XL and Pokemon Heart Gold. That game comes with a pedometer that actually helps you earn items and level up your Pokemon, so I think Eddy will want to walk around a lot! We all had a great time and of course if you want to see all the pictures from the birthday you can view them on the pictures page.
