Tuesday night we started off the holiday just as we did last year, with a trip to the drive-in. We had been wanting to see The Incredibles 2, but with all of this traveling we've been doing, there hadn't been a chance. It was a very warm evening so we headed out and had a nice time snuggled up in the van. We almost always see someone we know there, and this time one of Jacob's lacrosse coaches ended up two vehicles down!
We had a nice sleep-in on the 4th, and then I hopped out of bed hoping to get a head start on getting Jacob's new basketball hoop together. It came the week after his birthday but it had been sitting in a giant box in the garage until we had time to tackle it. Of course, when we finally had time, it was over 90 degrees with a heat index over 100. I spearheaded the assembly but definitely needed help from Craig because it was tall and heavy and not always easy to move. It took multiple sessions from about 11am through the evening, but it was mostly finished. I only cried twice. It was so hot, and it took so many steps, and sometimes things just didn't go together quite right. I also messed up a few times--nothing that couldn't be fixed, but once it took a lot of effort--but in the heat everything was exhausting. The instructions were confusing, but the thing is standing. I finished it up this morning with a couple finishing touches I just couldn't get around to yesterday. We still need to add more sand to the base, but the bags are laying on it for now. The sand in the bags was too wet to pour, so it's going to take some effort to get them in. We're working on it.
After the very long day of assembly (with two pool breaks), I really just wanted to go see some fireworks. I didn't really want to make the effort, though, so I convinced everyone to hop in the van and drive up to the Wegmans near the town hall where the fireworks were, so we could watch them from there. I knew people do that, but I wasn't sure what the view was like or how busy it was. At least if it stunk, we could just leave. So I cleaned up and had everyone pick a drink and snack, and off we went! It was actually nice having a movie and electronics to keep everyone occupied while we waited, and to be able to turn on the air if needed! The display was very nice (see above for our view), and aside from a little traffic getting out, it was fine. It was a pleasant, lazy way to watch the display after a very long, hot day.
I woke up this morning very sore and tired after the assembly. I guess I was using more muscles than I thought! Jacob is very happy with his hoop, which is a relief after all the debating we did over it. We got the less expensive one and he's thrilled with how sturdy it is. Whew. We're still dealing with a lot of money-related stuff with him--from wanting to buy new sneakers again, to wanting to stay in nice hotels, to him being convinced he'll make the NBA and make a million dollars. It's hard to talk him down, but I hope that an experience like this--where he sees that the less expensive option was good--or when we stay in a lesser hotel but can do more fun things instead, will help him with a practical understanding of the value of money. Just because it's more expensive doesn't mean it's better!
So, today we stuck around because of Jacob's practice (and a therapy appointment), and it turned out his practice got rained out after a short time. Boo. Instead we're taking off in the morning and hopefully have a full, fun day ahead to start off our last lacrosse weekend of the summer. Here we go!
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