The Third Fourth

The first year we were married, Ryan and I started a tradition of going to see fireworks on the 4th, and we have loved that tradition. Most years we went to see them over a lake, which is our most favorite of all the favorites. I never would have guessed we would miss three years IN A ROW of going to see them, but last night put a bow on that little streak. It marked the third fourth when we haven't been to see fireworks.

It started in 2020. There actually were public fireworks displays around us that year, despite all the pandemic madness, but Ryan and I were JUST about to begin our new job at WillowBridge, and we couldn't risk quarantine. If that happened, we would miss our training, and everything would have been behind from the start. So we watched fireworks on TV in our living room and vowed go back in person next year.

So that brings us to 2021. Last year. Ryan and I were on duty that day and we actually had a tenant who wanted to go see fireworks. We asked where we should go to see them well without getting stuck in crowds. I'd seen Fort Wayne fireworks before and knew they were good. We went exactly where we were advised to go, and a whole bunch of other people were there too, so we know we weren't in the wrong spot. Never. Saw. A. Single. Firework. It was maddening!

We declared on the spot that we would NOT work the Fourth of July in 2022. We would have that day off work, and we would go see fireworks, and that was that. So now we're to yesterday. And now we have a puppy who is new to fireworks. We weren't sure if it was a great idea to leave her home alone if things got loud and scary, so we decided to just stay home. If we were lucky, we might see some from our driveway. 

And now we say...next year.

Despite the abysmal fireworks three-peat, we did have a really fun day.

We got up early to go to breakfast, since we had to cancel our monthiversary breakfast date on Saturday. 

And the restaurant was closed. So were the next five we either drove to or called. Mercy.

So we came home, grabbed our coupons, and went through the Hardee's drive-thru for breakfast. Took it home and ate it there. 

Lexi was hopeful one of the boxes was for her. (She was mistaken. Cute! But mistaken.)

Ryan had to work on yard/sprinkler stuff for the day, and my main goal was to knock out some scrapbooking. I started by sorting and organizing the books from our marriage. There are SEVENTY BOOKS from the beginning of our relationship. (And I ordered three more yesterday.) They make me so happy. I sat down and looked at several, actually!

I got them all organized, I finished up the three books I needed to order (coupon!!!) and placed my order. Three cheers for birthday money. It almost always goes to scrapbooks! 

Ryan washed off the patio, which has been buried in mud with all the yard adventures. It looks so much better now!

Lexi was pretty cuddly - when she wasn't burning off energy. (The real estate agent who helped us purchase our home came over to see it now that it's all put together. Lexi thought she came JUST for her and was beside herself with joy.) She's stinkin' cute when she's cuddly.

I had some people ask me how she handled fireworks. She did great! We were outside on a walk when some went off (way before dark) and she didn't freak out. She was intrigued by them and wanted to know where they were and if she should go see, but she didn't seem scared. I had read on a dog training Instagram page that one thing to possibly try is anytime you hear a boom, give the dog a treat to make it a fun thing. Since Lexi is highly motivated by food (as am I), I thought we should try that. She loved it. I don't know if it helped, but she didn't complain about the food!

It was an unusual fourth...for the third time. But it was a good day!