Magic words

Well we had our first Fourth celebration as a threesome (and guests) last night. Olivia has slept through the last two years so this was her first real foray into a large-scale fireworks show. We were a little nervous because while Olivia shows no fear about most things, jumping into the deep end, riding the bike as fast as possible directly into the street, strangers, she really does not like loud noises. I seriously have to go through a whole rigmarole to use my food processor. So it was agreed among parental units that if there were tears it was straight home, since Olivia is not a crier we felt that would be a clear indication that telling her to buck up would be causing a life-long traumatic memory.

First, the lights go out. Immediate ear-covering and shaking. Then the test fireworks go up. Immediate pleas to go home. Then the music begins, burying head in my armpit. Finally, they begin, and the eyes get wider and wider and wider. That's when the magic happens. She was obviously still a little nervous so she starts reciting a part of her recent Fourth favorite book, Olivia Forms A Band and then she starts singing to herself. As she gets into her own groove, magically, the hands come off the ears and a big smile is produced.

So thanks to Ian Falconer for giving a little girl the words to express how she was feeling when she didn't know how to it all by herself. After all, it was beautiful.