Fourth of July

Approximately eight months ago, Howard asked if it was okay for him to schedule a convention appearance over the 4th of July weekend. I assured him it would be just fine. I would just pack up the kids and go spend the holiday with relatives in Idaho. Unfortunately I neglected to schedule with my relatives. When I called last week, I discovered that they were headed out of town themselves. I was left with a holiday weekend devoid of plans. At first the thought of having to fill the void was rather depressing. I need not have worried. The city of Provo contrived to provide me with a selection of Freedom Festival events from which I could choose.

Last night I asked the kids what they wanted to do with the holiday. There was some discussion, but in the end the kids decided they would rather light off fireworks at home than go watch one of the big displays. Gleek really wanted to watch the hot air balloon launch, but no one else wanted to get up that early. So at 5:30 am I went to wake up Gleek. I only had to whisper the words “balloon launch” and she was wide-eyed awake. I tucked Patches into bed with Kiki so that she could help him if he woke up. He didn’t. All the kids were still asleep when Gleek and I returned home.

It is really fun to go places with just one child. I don’t have to be a negotiator or a diplomat. I can just follow along, led by the whims of the child. I am free to enjoy the enthusiasm without making sure it does not interfere with that of another child. Gleek chattered to me all during the drive. She noticed the sounds of crickets and birds. She commented on how empty the roads were. She scanned ahead and tried to guess whether we would make it through the next light before it turned red. She asked how many turns we would make before we got to the balloons. We arrived at the McDonald’s next to the balloon field in plenty of time to have breakfast. Fast food is not my favorite way to start the morning, but Gleek loved it. Then we went out onto the field.

Balloon crews were scattered all over the field with their balloons stretched out flat. The public is invited to mingle around the balloons and ask questions. Soon the fans started running, blowing air into the balloons. Gleek ran close and reached out to touch the light weight fabric. It was fascinating to look inside the behemoth balloons. Part of me wanted to walk inside one so that I could be surrounded by the balloon chamber. I didn’t, of course. Walking on the balloons risked damaging them. I would not want to damage something so wonderful. Next came the flames. Fire roared into the balloons, heating the air. The balloons rose quickly to an upright position. It was impressive to see something so large float in the air.

Gleek loved watching the balloons stand up. So she dashed from balloon to balloon watching each of them rise. I wended my way through the crowds more slowly, but I managed to keep her in sight. Then the launch began and the balloons started taking to the air. Gleek turned in circles, monitoring all of the balloons at once. She didn’t want to miss a single ascent. There were plenty for her to watch, there were 15-20 balloons in the launch.

On the way home tiredness set in. We stopped at the grocery store, and Gleek was content to ride in the shopping cart. When we got back home, both of us curled up on couches and went back to sleep. We’re going to keep the afternoon quiet, but this evening we’ll collect some friends and neighbors so that we can light off fireworks. Perhaps tomorrow we’ll hit the Festival itself if I think I have the energy to keep track of four kids in a huge crowd.