Tuesday, July 5, 2011

My second slice-of-life story...

THE SMARTER ONE
 
Bang, boom, (booooom, booommmm), wahhhhh. 
Bang, boom, (booooom, booommmm), wahhhhh.
It’s 9:30 p.m. on July 4th.my husband and I are downstairs, awaiting the sleep of our 24-month-old son. 

Before Reid’s arrival, we OF COURSE included a fireworks display in our annual holiday routine. Afterward, not so much.  Like a true teacher, I like routine --- our days go more smoothly this way.  Milk and bath at 8:00 p.m.

But, last night after lights out, our little entertainer offered a nursery rhyme concert and a recount of the day’s events.  Then, against the deepening tie-dyed sky, distant fireworks began with subtle booms and rhythmic rumbles.  Hopes that dreamland would be +1 at the point --- dashed.

(Our downstairs conversation) 
“Ooooh.  What will he do with all this noise?  Will it upset him?” 
“Not sureguess we’ll find out!?!”

And, then, tears unleashed.  “Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!”
(Philosophical question du jour: If you’ve never been to a fireworks show on July 4th…do you really know what you’re missing?)

Enter (pronto) Mom and Dad.  “What’s the matter?” I inquire.  More tears.  My husband tries… “Hey, buddy, it’s just…” (I shoot him a dirty look across the crib railing)... “some booms and rumbles” I neatly finish.

“Fireworks, yes.” Reid offers confidently.  “Like at the hotel.”

(Um, yeah, sure --- two weeks ago during vacation, our hotel hosted fireworks on Tuesday nights. We stayed up that time because we were off schedule anyway.  However, Reid was far more interested in pushing his stroller around than watching the show’s twinkling blooms.)

Completely taken aback, we bestowed a final night-night kiss, a high-quality tuck-in, and compliment for smarts.  Nursery door closed and downstairs relaxing again, our twinkling eyes caught each other silently searching…

Were we just out-smarted?

3 comments:

  1. Great way to describe what happened. Fireworks definitely isn't for everyone! Hope you had a good night!

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  2. Sounds like your little guy has a good memory. Fireworks two weeks before? That's good.
    Like teacherdance said, fireworks aren't for everyone. I love them, but we skipped them for our six month old's sake last night. Maybe next year.
    Happy Fourth.
    SAS

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  3. It is a cliche but kids are amazing. You never know what they will come up with!

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