Guilt On The 3rd Of July

We put Max and Emmett to bed tonight and Emmett fell quickly to sleep, but Max struggled. He was screaming and screaming at times, but Emmett stayed sound asleep. Bek went off to the grocery store and I worked on the dishes. Finally I went up to see what the trouble was and Max said he was scared because he heared a sound, a sound that he described by asking me to do the "pop" sound I make by putting a finger inside my mouth, pressed against the inside of my cheek, and popping the finger out. I told him it was probably just some people setting off fireworks in preparation for the 4th of July and that there was nothing to be scared about. I told him I'd go finish the dishes and then come up and check on him afterward. Well, I was running the water and the fan was running and I could hear him yelling, but this goes on not unfrequently, and I like to let him get some of the yells out before I go back up. Eventually he quieted down and when I went up after finishing the dishes he was sound asleep.

A little bit later Bek came home and said that the fireworks were tonight, not the fourth, that there was a mob scene on our street! I couldn't believe it. After putting some groceries away I decided to go up and see if I could wake Max up, but I couldn't. He was completely out. I felt utterly and completely guilty. The sound he was hearing wasn't the real fireworks, probably was somebody's home fireworks, because the real ones are quite loud, but still. We should have done our homework. They've been so looking forward to it.

I went to see what the hubbub was all about, and not surprisingly, Iowa City fireworks are the bomb. I only watched part of it, then came back to let Bek have a turn. There were stars, hearts, Saturns, atomic symbols, and all the staples. Loud blasts loud enough to set off car alarms all over the place. Even the little bit I watched was pretty spectacular. They are still kablamming on now.

While she was at the store, Bek asked about what was going on, and then finding out it was fireworks night, she also found out that Corralville does have fireworks actually on the 4th, so we'll take the boys to it, but it's not the same as being able to walk out your house just a short distance up the street and see the big show. I have a feeling there's going to be some tears tomorrow morning. Sigh.

FOLLOWUP: what was obviously the grand finale just happened and it was so loud that the windows were rattling in the house. I ran upstairs to see if the guys had woken up, but I guess they really were tired as they were still asleep. Bek came back and said we shouldn't even tell them that the fireworks happened here, as if we do it will just make them upset for no reason. I guess she's right. I have difficulty not being truthful to my kids, but of course it's not always the right thing to do. Good thing I have Bek to keep me crooked.