Fireworks!

For the 4th we lit small (legal) fireworks off in my grandmother's yard.
We learned a thing or too about grocery store fireworks...

First, we learned all children universally love sparklers. The cheapest of fireworks is still the biggest hit.

Second, we learned that the cheap pre- packaged box of fireworks from the grocery was not really worth it. Every last thing in the cheap box was a type of smoke bomb. And, they all stunk. I mean head - ache producing need to take a shower after handling kind of stink.
See the green smoke above... our first smoking "cone" in green.

Third, it is an unwritten rule, when you are given a sparkler in the dark you must try and write your name before it goes out. I think the name above is "Ethan"... can't you tell??

Noted above and below- our fourth lesson- anything that sparks and makes noise is worth the money.

Our second attempt at a smoke "cone" - this time in blue.

And, most importantly, do NOT light a firecracker in your hand. Even if you remember doing this as a child and you swear all the neighborhood kids did it. Second degree burns are no joke. Only light these on the ground.

Above is John right after he lit the packages of firecrackers in his hand. I was trying to get a picture of the awesomeness he promised was coming. Instead all we got was pain and a lesson learned. See his white fingers in the picture - that burn was painful but is healing quite nicely.