Lily's First Laugh

We were lucky enough to catch your first laugh on video. It cracks me and Mommy up every time.

4th of July

Dear Lily,

Yesterday we celebrated your first 4th of July and what better way to celebrate than with hot dogs, fireworks and...elephants? More on that later.

You weren't so much interested in Uncle Sam. Instead, you had your attention firmly fixed on the kids in the parade throwing candy, as if you needed anything to eat. I mean, really. Look at that muffin top you have going there.

"Parade? Meh. Bring on the lollipops."

We saw all kinds of things from a squadron of fire trucks, to shiny old Cadillacs, to marching bands to some people singing on the back of an antique flatbed truck like in the Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson video for "Say, Say, Say." The Republican Party even rented a real-live elephant from the zoo. We know how they spent their stimulus money. All that the Democrats had were two people and a sign. Snoozer.

We finished off the day at the local fireworks show. It was a high-tech affair. Though it was too dark to clearly see the guys running around the football field lighting them, we could make them out by the wind-licked flames of their lighters illuminating rivulets of beer spilling from their cans as the men nervously darted from place to place. Thankfully, nobody lost a finger.

Hearing protection may be a must for today's infant attending any kind of fireworks festivities, but it is far more important to coordinate your accessories with your outfit. Pink hearing protection, check.

From the first explosion to the grand finale, you paid very close attention to the fireworks. The hearing protection worked wonderfully because all the loud booms didn't upset you one bit. I didn't really see the display at all because I was having so much fun watching you watch the fireworks.

We can't wait until the next 4th of July. Hopefully the Democrats show up with a donkey, or at least a better looking sign.

Love,

Dad