The Third of July

We headed back to Mesa for the concluding day of the Freedom Festival. This time around, there were tons more people and they had fireworks! The display started around 9:30 pm (read: already to late in the night for a little one) with cannon fire. Booming cannon fire. Loud cannon fire. And Clark was immediately terrified.







He tried to block out the sound with his arms, but couldn't and grew hysterical. He was absolutely terrified. He was crying so hard that I couldn't calm him, and the loud booms from the fireworks weren't going away any time soon.








So, I did what any other desperate mother would do. I ducked into a sidewalk bistro, an expensive 20-dollars-a-plate type place, with my screaming toddler, to escape the noise. The diners were not pleased, I'm sure.









But there was a saint of a bartender who magically produced a loaded mini toy water pistol, and saved our lives. I wisked Clark into the bathroom and showed him how to squirt the water into the sink and we played there for a few minutes until I was sure he was completely calm.





Then I explained to him that we were going back outside, but if the fireworks were too loud that we could come back inside and watch them from the window.







So, we went out, and promptly came back in. And we watched the fireworks from inside the restaurant. Jose took some pictures and then we switched and I took pictures while he stayed with Clark inside.






It was a really beautiful firework display. I was impressed. But I was really sad for my little sweet boy, who had such a hard time with the noise.






I hope he'll do better next year. Of course, next year, we'll probably just opt to watch the fireworks from farther away and in the comfort of our own vehicle.

Now, a month later, looking back on it, I still cannot fathom how or why that bartender had in his possession a tiny water gun. Does he get a lot of half-crazed toddlers at his establishment? Like I said, I can't even guess why he was so prepared. All I can say is that I was so very grateful for his prompt, kind, and effective attention to my child.