Marking Time with Tradition

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th of July is one of our family's favorite holidays. Not because we are especially patriotic, but because of the tradition my parents started. Every July 4th, my parents host a Block Party.

The street is blocked off so the kids can bike, scooter, skateboard, etc to their hearts' content. Sometimes there is bike decorating and kids' games. Sometimes we just let them all loose with their vehicles, squirt guns and water balloons.

The adults sit in groups, the largest group under a tree in my parents' yard. We nosh on snacks and sip on margaritas or beer out of the keg. Dinner is hot dogs and chips for the kids and pot luck for the adults. At some point sparklers make an appearance. Fireworks used to be part of the evening, but were discontinued when more people on the block were uncomfortable with them than were asking for them. We usually have plenty to enjoy from the blocks around us, with none of the risk.

My kids, in particular, have enjoyed and counted on this event for years.

I may have mentioned this before, but my rapidly passing birthdays have not really succeeded in making me feel old. I know 40 is supposed to officially put my youth to rest. But my chronological age is just not doing it.

Oh, I'm NOT saying I'm not feeling old. It's just not MY age doing it.

What IS marking the years for me is watching my kids "age up" and the changes in the way they enjoy the various traditions our family has.

In many, many ways, they are so much easier. The amount of gear we have to bring is enormously reduced. They can pitch in and help out rather than be a distraction. They spend much of the day finding their own fun, rather than constantly relying on our presence.

But in some ways they are more difficult. The older two are starting to be a little less fascinated by the day's activities. That tween/teen ennui is creeping in. I'm fairly certain the day will be punctuated with at least a few "I'm bored" and dramatically rolled eyes at something that is just "too stupid".

It's bittersweet. And, of course, aging. But I take comfort in knowing that my siblings and I went through it too. And we all came back around to loving this event again. Plus I know that all three of my kids count on the celebration no matter what they say or do to the contrary.

So I will raise a sparkler and ooh and ah (and that will guarantee an eye roll)!