Playing with fire.

This weekend we hosted our annual cookout. If it falls just right (on the weekend), it also happens to be the 4th of July. And it's more picnic than cookout because I can't grill food to save my life and instead serve hot dogs fresh off the George Foreman and BBQ beef from the slow cooker. However, if you ask Lauren, it's not a picnic, but a party. Thank goodness we took the time to clear that up!

Over the past few years, everyone has come to look forward to Crazy Uncle Craig's fireworks displays. Here in Pennsylvania, fireworks are supposed to be illegal, but the law has gotten a little unclear as of late. Growing up, all you could get in-state were sparklers and those paper snap things that you throw which make a big mess on the sidewalk. However, if you were lucky, you might get your hands on some smoke bombs or snakes which also make a big mess on the sidewalk. And if you were really lucky, you knew someone who went across the border to Ohio and smuggled some firecrackers and roman candles in the truck of his car.

Today, peddlers set up tents filled with explosives on practically every street corner, and not to miss out on a buck, all the major chains and grocery stores sell fireworks too. Everyone has a theory on how this is possibly legal. Some say that it's legal to sell fireworks, but not to buy them. Others say that it's okay to buy them, but you can't actually set them off. Still others think that it's the type of fireworks that makes a difference, and as long as it stays on the ground and doesn't shoot off into the sky, the local fuzz will leave you alone. Since the law is up for interpretation, like good Americans we plead confusion and blow stuff up anyway.

So as soon as we finish dinner and start cleaning up, our guests begin to ask, "When are the fireworks?"

This year, we kicked off the event with what I like to call "The Lawrence Pranty Memorial Sparkler Run." You see, not only was my Pap Pap an egg dying and jury duty dodging expert, he was also a sparkler aficionado. He oversaw the whole 4th of July operation, making sure that everyone's sparkler was lit without injury and that all extinguished sparklers were disposed of properly. He would then close out the evening by running through the backyard holding two sparklers aloft. Here, Mel C and I demonstrate:



My nephew Noah watched from the safety of the swing. Smart boy, that Noah!



Then it was time for everyone else to get into the act. These people really love their sparklers.







I mean, they really love their sparklers.



We then convinced Lauren to hold a sparkler for the first time.



She was...tentative. Well, let's just say that she didn't prance around the yard with it, that's for sure.



But the sparklers could only satisfy their cravings for fire and destruction for only so long. It was time to bring out the big guns!



And Crazy Uncle Craig did not disappoint!



There was much "Oooo-ing."



And "Aaahh-ing."





And cuddling with Daddy when things got a little too loud.



I cuddled with Mel C.



Speaking of Mel C, she acted as our very own Homeland Security, vigilantly keeping us safe from the flames and occasionally "accidentally" squirting Crazy Uncle Craig in the process.

Lastly, to close out the evening, our very own Flying Wallenda, Pappy Bruno surprised us by performing a harrowing balancing act over our fish pond.