One of the first things you realize about living abroad is that not everyone celebrates the same holidays as you. With kids, you must take time to share why particular dates are important and the memories that enforce it. Whether it’s describing the Hefty-size bags of Halloween candy, why cranberries are a must for Thanksgiving or the magic of July fireworks, Theo has always listened and appreciates his heritage from “the other side of the pond”.
I had some work to do yesterday morning, but took the afternoon off to celebrate the Fourth with Theo. Armed with two Nerf Super Soakers, our date quickly degraded into Father-Son Water War. We attacked the other’s flank with reckless abandon as the citizens of the garden looked on in horror. Streams of water screamed pass trees, through bushes and onto the occasional bystander. Soaked, starved and out of ammunition, we signed an armistice around 6 p.m.
With the patties on the grill, we sat on the balcony and stared at the puddle-pocked battlefield below. Freedom has a price I told Theo. He nodded in agreement. We then stood, toasted our mugs of ale & grape juice and shouted “To Peace & the Fourth of July!”
Fun with guns and beer & burgers: it doesn’t get more American that.
Posted by asduncan 
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