Fireworks: Better Late than Never

Best I could do of both of them...you can see which one is more cooperative!

If you know me well at all, you know I get pouty and pitiful if I am unable to see fireworks on the 4th of July. I don't want to participate in any neighborhood shoot-offs, and I don't want to light any sparklers. I just want to watch a good, city-sponsored display of pyrotechnics and call it a night.

It's tradition.

This year, I was concerned. We had only slept in our new house one night and we'd only been in town for about three days. I was in a mad search for some sort of fireworks show without having a clue as to what folks typically do around here. I knew the beach would, obviously, be a hot spot, but I wasn't sure that any formal displays would be put on there.

With a quick search of the local newspaper, I found that Fort Walton Beach would not disappoint. They had a show planned at a local community area, so that became our 4th of July destination.

Until the good Lord intervened.

As we approached the community gathering, I could feel myself getting all nervous at the sight of the gazillions of people. There were folks everywhere, many of whom were parking a long way away and walking toward the event. I could just sense disaster in the form of two unhappy children in a stroller, a whole bunch of people, and a large quantity of sand.

In the midst of the panic attack that was brewing within me, I declared that we would be driving to Okaloosa Island for dinner and then we'd drive back towards the city event and see if we could park somewhere else and just watch from the tailgate of the Element.

I think Danny could tell he just needed to go with it. So we did.

And, let me tell you, I think we easily had the best 4th of July to date.

We drove to Okaloosa Island, where it borders with Destin, and decided to eat at The Crab Trap. It is in a complex known as The Boardwalk where there are a few shops, several restaurants, and public beach access. We made our way into the restaurant where all children are greeted with, not only paper and crayons, but with buckets and sand shovels, too. Excellent, beachy touch!

The food wasn't the best we've had, but it satisfied our tummies and was surprisingly affordable. The best part of the meal was when our waitress informed us that a fireworks show would be presented off of the pier at 8:45 p.m. All we had to do was finish eating and walk down the stairs to the beach. Now, that's my kind of convenient!

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Tyler nearly fell over with excitement when he saw a playground on the beach. Frankly, I was just as excited because, apparently, there aren't a lot of playgrounds around here. I suppose when you live within a few miles of the ocean, there isn't a lot of need for additional children's entertainment.

That sweet child promptly looked up at Danny and me and said, "My shoes and shirt off, please."

Bless his heart. It was dark as dark could be, but he knew he was at the beach and that meant he needed to be in shorts only. I so love that kid.

Once he was properly attired, he played and played until I finally convinced him to walk closer to the ocean with me. By the time we got nearly to the water, the fireworks began. Sweet Lydie was so tired that she just laid on her daddy's chest through it all.

In all my life I have never seen a more beautiful sight than those fireworks over the ocean. They were only about 500 feet from us to begin with, but, in the air, it seemed like we could touch them. And, the way they lit up the ocean was just breath-taking. The memory of standing on that white sand with my family, watching those colorful fireworks against a black sky over the ocean, will be forever etched in my mind.

Just about the time the show was over, rain began sprinkling down on us. That woke Lydie up enough to put her feet in the sand for the first time ever before we had to make a quick exit. She wasn't too sure about what she was standing on, but she sure didn't oppose the experience.

By the time we made it back up to the parking lot, it was outright pouring down rain. I couldn't believe how lucky we'd been to get to see the fireworks at all. God knew I couldn't handle the disappointment, I suppose.

We returned to our new home and de-sanded ourselves before snuggling in for a wonderful night's rest.

Hand's down, we had the best 4th ever.

I promise she gets cuter every day.

She also has zero interest in anything but walking these days. We'll be so thankful when she can do it all by herself.

She kept smiling so sweetly until I would point the camera towards her...

My buddy.

No shoes, No shirt, No problem.

Watching the fireworks. He wanted to know if we needed to call the firetruck!

Toes in the sand!