Happy Birthday America

Here is how I like to celebrate the birth of our great nation. Sitting on the hillside on Elm street, under the big oak trees with our friends The Thamans. The kids all adorned in their patriotic wear waiting patiently to collect the bubble gum, Tootsie rolls and other treats thrown from the floats that pass by. We grownups talk about how big the kids are getting, catch up on each other's lives and watch the festivities. We usually head to the fireworks display in Kirkwood later that day We're going to miss that this year. Unfortunately, we've missed it a few times before. Seems like our vacations often keep us away from St. Louis on the fourth. Usually we've been able to catch some great fireworks wherever we are. Sitting on a yacht in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii was a particularly memorable one. This year however, I don't think we'll see any fireworks or see any parades. We're in Ireland. Something tells me that they're not going to be celebrating America's independence from Great Britain. Theyve had their own issues in that department. No...I think we'll be touring Waterford that day. Fire for glass blowing will be about all the pyrotechnics I expect to see. So...I'll put Jake in his American flag shirt & think about what we'll be missing at home. Don't get me wrong...I'm so glad to be here, but I always hate to miss a good party. This year my housesitter, my family at home, and my friends will have to celebrate for me! Happy Birthday America!!