Fourth of July and Not-Quite-Best-Laid Plans

In my quest to prevent The Boys from becoming selfish and self-absorbed adults, I've given them a summer-long project. It's all about doing nice things for people who aren't expecting them. We have a long list of ideas- everything from leaving a little treat for our mailman to bringing some dog and cat toys by our local SPCA. Our niceties are not expensive grand gestures; they're just our way of passing on our own good fortune, showing The Boys that it feels good to make other people feel good and hopefully, through the actions of others, showing The Boys how to be gracious and grateful.

Last week we mailed a package to a friend who is in the hospital in another state. And we made cookies for the librarians at the branch we go to weekly. I'm going to give those two librarians the benefit of the doubt and guess that they don't get a whole lot of cookies or even thank yous and that they were probably taken off guard by our offering, but between you and me, they didn't accept their gift in a way that would make young children feel good about doing a nice deed.

But, we can't let a couple of grouchy ladies rain on our parade. And so, yesterday we set about making some yummy cupcakes for the fire fighters at the station just up the road. We wrote a nice card thanking them for working on the holiday and for helping to keep us safe. I sent Cap'n, A-Train and Big D off on the delivery while I waited at home, all the while patting myself on the back for a job well done.

When they hadn't returned after about 20 minutes, I set myself to imagining all the wonderful things they were getting to see at the fire station. The brave men and women they were meeting. The pictures JBB was surely taking. And then they came home, disappointed and with cupcakes in hand. The station had been empty, no fire fighters in sight and no one answered their knock on the door.

We called the station then, but no answer. Seems they were out on a call or napping or just didn't hear the plaintive cries of two little boys who so desperately wanted to give them a treat to brighten their day. It's too bad, because those cupcakes were beautiful and delicious!

And though they didn't get to visit with any fire fighters, the boys did get to see their favorite person in the world- Auntie! We had a great time setting of fire works and annoying Auntie's neighbors rather than our own for a change.

Turns out Big D is not a big fan of fire works, even the smallish ones. He's not real big on noise unless it's coming out of his mouth. But you give that boy handful of Pop Its and he's in his element.

A-Train loved the whole experience! He's a cautious kid, not the type you have to worry will blow his fingers off. It wasn't until the end of the afternoon that he agreed to hold a lit sparkler. Then, of course, he wanted to do it 100 more times.

I spent much of the afternoon chasing this guy away from the smoldering ashes of spent fire works and wishing he had just a bit of the fear or caution of his older brothers!