July 3rd

It was almost time for fireworks.
Collette heard them go off every night now in rocking booms from various parts of the neighborhood.
Francis had been the 2009 fireworks injury so far — something about a third degree burn from a Roman candle…

So for the morning, OLeif (who was off work for the day), Collette (who had caught up with ten hours of sleep), and Puck (who was always ready for more fun), left for the Silverspoon’s.
There were burgers and chips, and then the movies, except for Gloria and Puck who stayed back for Puck to nap.
Afterward, everyone sat around in the basement, rummaging through old boxes of things while OLeif bound up a book using Theodore’s wood tools and Theodore touched up things on the deck, etc.

That evening, Puck turned his very first somersault on the couch. Collette just happened to see him do so as she walked through the hall.

Then after the Puck went down to snoozeland, Rose pulled up to help Collette break down the giant pile of old sticks and branches (accumulated from the ice storms over the past few winters). This, they burned in the new firepit.
Everything went well, despite the mosquitos.
Fireflies were out.
Firecrackers exploded in the sky above them from time to time, accompanied by the almost constant pop of more firecrackers in the streets before the rain would come in later.