Proud to be an American

fourth of july

Aside from celebrating Independence day in the nation's capital, its nothing compared to celebrating it with the troops. The usual American fare of hamburgers, hot dogs, country music, and lemonade on the Fourth seemed to take on new meaning when you're on a base with other Americans far from the States. You get a sense of community with the people around you. And you are around men and women who have dedicated their lives for the purpose of upholding the freedom we enjoy.

On base, they held a celebration of free food, games, music, and fireworks. The food was OK. But what can you expect for free? There was a inflated climbing wall, bouncy house, and bull riding. I asked Evan if he would like to get his face painted, and at first it was intrigued over the idea of putting paint on his face, but when it came time, he said to me, "I don't want paint on my face, that's yucky!" That's my fault cause earlier that day he was painting and I told him paint goes on the paper only.

The band playing was, well I don't want to say hillarious cause that would be rude, but it was like watching American Idol's auditions! It was a Japanese band playing American country songs. Their first song was Shania Twain's "I Feel Like a Woman". Imagine with me if you will, a Japanese gal with limited English singing "I feru ruike a wooman!" But I have to give it to her, she was having a great time and the band did play very well. :)

I asked Evan if he wanted to try the bouncy house. He saw the kids bouncing around and having fun, and he thought it be fun. I thought he'd really love it cause I'm always telling not to jump off the furniture at home. I told him it was OK to jump here, and you can jump all you want cause you can't at home. He kicked off his shoes, and got on the step to get in, when a bunch of kids rushed passed him. That's when Evan changed his mind. He wouldn't even stick his head in. I had him jump on the inflated step so he'd get a feel for it, and he loved it. But when I tried again to get him in the house, he wiggled right out. I kept trying, but he still wouldn't budge. He asked to go play in the sand instead. I guess its just the simple things that make him happy.

He played in the sand then in the playground till it was time to see the fireworks. I asked him one more time if he wants to try the bouncy house, but I neglected to notice that they had already deflated it and packed it up. Evan said "Yeah! I want to go to the bouncy house!" He looked around for it and it was no where to be found. He put his head down and cried and cried. Another little boy saw him and came by to pat his head and in Japanese tell him, its ok! Don't cry. It was so cute!

Evan does this all time. Mostly with food. He'll ask to eat/drink things that aren't there or we don't have. We were walking the dog and he suddenly asked to drink apple juice. Of course I don't carry apple juice with me on walks! When he does this, I know its time for a nap/bed.

Before the fireworks, there was this huge ominous clouds from the north throwing lighting every few seconds. I managed to take a few really awesome picture of it. I took us closer to our car just in case it suddenly rained.

I had parked our van at the top of the hill overlooking the football field where the fireworks were. I love our Odyssey. Its smaller than it's American counterpart, but still has the seats we need. The US version has the two captain seats in the second row and sliding doors. But ours is more car-like and has regular doors, and three seats in the second row and two seats in the third row. Plus, its previous owners had it lowered and put new mufflers on it that makes it hum. I think its funny that you'll hear the car before you see it, but aren't expecting to see an Odyssey!

The best thing about our van that night was how the third row can flip back and become seats facing out of the van. So, from the comfort of our van, we watched the fireworks. For the first five minutes, both Evan and Careese sat still watching the fireworks, leaning in on either side of me. It was a sweet moment of gratefulness for me. Grateful that we were celebrating the freedoms we have that allows me to be a mom of these two cute kids, to be able to afford being a stay at home mom, to have an education, to have the right to practice our religious beliefs, and raise my kids in that belief and especially in peace. Well, peace is relative. hahaha. But, I'm talking about the peace of knowing we have food, we have shelter, we have clothes, we don't have to fear for our lives. God bless America.

Well, half way through the show, it was about half hour long, Evan gets up and says, "Mommy, lets go home." Then climbs over the seat to his car seat to get buckled up. hahaha As soon as we got home, he was happy to go to bed. Wow, I haven't had one of these moments in a very long time. I hope I can look forward to less bedtime resistance this his 3rd year.