Our evening of the fourth started out with a hot hike from our wayward parking spot to the gates of Hi Corbett Field to see a Toro's baseball game. How American of us to partake of one of our country's great past times.
Well, apparently, it was a grand idea of thousands of other proud Americans! The park was stuffed and our plans of hot dogs and fireworks bursting over the field were about to change. It was just too much--too crowded, too tight, too much.
So we turned around and hiked back to our car and our new plans were impromptu. First we headed to El Guero Canelos where we enjoyed some authentic Mexican-style, taco-stand cuisine. I got my hot dog after all: a Sonoran style version complete with a bacon-wrapped hot dog, pinto beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, mayonnaise, mustard and grilled onions. Muy bueno!
Then, we were headed home when Gayle, Mike and the kids told us they were at a nearby, tucked-away park to watch the fireworks just west of the freeway, so we did a u-turn to watch the sky with them. "We're in left field," they told us. We swam through the humidity and flying ants to reach them on their beach towels and lawn chairs, little "ohs" and "uh ohs," laughs and worries coming from Nathan as he narrated the evening's display as only he can.
For as crowded and popular as the main road by our neighborhood was with firework watchers on hoods of cars and in the beds of trucks, the park was like a private little haven! We were fixated on the crowd-pleasing bursts of light.
Nathan has just begun to say my name and Kurt's name and it is just the most wonderful thing ever. I'm "Awn" and Kurtis is "Urt." He would say our names as he flip-flopped from lap to lap.
After the light show, we applauded and packed up. On the hike back to the car (for the second time that night), everyone stopped in their tracks when Gayle, Megan and Sarah all three squealed, "Frog!"
I whipped out the camera again. Gayle said, "I hate bugs." And she slapped her leg.
The evening began outside of the gates of left field with dreams of hot dogs and fireworks and what do you know? The evening concluded with tummies nice and full with hot dogs, and in the very grass of left field itself as we watched fireworks in the dark with family, among the frogs.
Happy Independence Day,
Dawn
My sister's boys were squirmy tonight; Justin making waves from inside Gayle's belly which sent the balancing blocks that spelled his name every which way but still, and Nathan charging from room to room with a monotone, yet bouncy, "uuuuhhhhhhhh!" escaping his sweet face.
First, a ride on the dolly. I loved those rides when I was little!
Then the intrigue with the Belle, the mule.
And the harness chains for Belle were like a swing for Nathan.
Grandfather and grandson maneuvered circles on the John Deere around the yard.
But once, he was only one day.
presents,
friends,
family,
and it wouldn't be like Liam without a good wondering walk.
He quickly finds his way back, however, and all the birdies continue their multiple conversations, now oblivious to me on the other side of the boundary line.
The time has come for the moths to take over a now empty park and prepare for the flowers to come back again next year. What a glorious purpose. Thanks, moths. Thanks, dear queens of the night.
Their strong yet tame, long gray tongues played tug-of-war with bits of vegetables from our hands and they were tolerant with our teasing. I like to think that giraffes have a good sense of humor. We just wanted to see how far that tongue would reach for a delectable snack. But, still, we would not want to cross their line of friendliness and anger even the sweetest of giants. They are still wild at heart.
Nathan’s first haircut was classic! I tagged along to Mike’s barber shop with Gayle and Mike one afternoon after we realized my sweet nephew was beginning to look like he had a mullet! That had to be taken care of! 
He truly portrayed the model client—so patient and still. His good demeanor was rewarded with a lollipop—his first taste of sugar!
Yes, I do believe he liked it very much.
