What Are You Doing to Make the Weekend Feel Not So Ordinary?

[ny96]

We are struggling today. We normally go back home for the 4th of July and we’re obviously not doing that. We have no family nearby and are not seeing anyone. Our true joy in the last few weeks has been weekend trips to the beach, but beaches are closed. We’re thinking about going hiking, but honestly none of us are too excited by that idea because we’ve done that regularly since March. I need ideas for fun. What are you doing this holiday weekend to make it a little less ordinary?

[waverly]

We are actually going away from an area with not a lot of cases to an area with not a lot of cases.

Maybe you could do a backyard BBQ with sparklers and patriotic popsicles...

[abs]

Today DD and I are going to bake 4th of July cupcakes with a recipe she found in a book and we will watch Hamilton tonight. Tomorrow we are going to make junk food popcorn and go watch the neighborhood fireworks (there is a huge parking lot at a sports complex and we all have to stay in our cars).

[dcn]

We are grilling our favorite stuff tomorrow with s’mores for dessert, will likely set up a mini water park for the kids haha and we should be able to see fireworks from our yard tomorrow night.

We may pack our bikes up and ride them at a state park Sunday.

Can you get ice cream or a growler of beer with take out? Find a new trail or park?

[bronxgirl]

Tomorrow night we're getting take-out burgers and watching Hamilton. We'll go to the park in the afternoon, although we do that every weekend.

[moonpie]

We are going to play in the sprinkler, bbq our favorite foods, have a picnic in the backyard, and have a fire and make s’mores. I also bought pop its and sparklers.

[cricketwife]

We are much in the same boat as you and the weekend will be pretty typical (read “boring”). But we are doing one thing - a water ballon and water gun fight with the whole family (the 4 of us). DS1 has been begging for water ballons so it seemed like a good opportunity. We *may* go to a local nature preserve but it’s supposed to be 94 so I’m not really feeling it. We might go out for ice cream.

[macmars45]

Nothing besides get takeout. I'm not feeling real celebratory what with the state of our country. We just moved last weekend and we're trying to get our TH ready to sell (in a city 2.5 hours from where we now live). Plus it's a super busy time at H's work right now although he does of course get 3 days off, which is nice. The long weekend doesn't decrease his stress level though.

[ny96]

I wish we could see fireworks or do sparklers. Fireworks are cancelled everywhere around us and we’re in a fire zone so sparklers are not allowed.

[dcn]

Jul 3, 2020 14:54:29 GMT -5 ny96 said:

I wish we could see fireworks or do sparklers. Fireworks are cancelled everywhere around us and we’re in a fire zone so sparklers are not allowed.

Not the same but you may be able to watch online somewhere? I know ours where we are will be on Facebook live.

[gretchenindisguise]

We normally have a big neighborhood party. This year it has been turned into a socially distancing parade with everyone wearing masks.

Then well have someone over that is in our social bubble, kids will play with water balloons and sprinkler. At night we'll have a fire.

[sillygoosegirl]

Jul 3, 2020 14:54:29 GMT -5 ny96 said:

I wish we could see fireworks or do sparklers. Fireworks are cancelled everywhere around us and we’re in a fire zone so sparklers are not allowed.

Also not the same, but there's a lunar eclipse that will be visible across most of North America on the 4th.

[thebreakfastclub]

We bought a pool for our backyard, so we will swim, grill out, try some new recipes, have a fire pit, etc. I don't think it's ordinary at all, a long weekend is always a win.

We don't usually see public fireworks anyway, too much traffic and too many sweaty people in one space, lol.

[minniemouse]

My kids apparently planned a whole party. Lol. I felt bad when I had to tell them it’s just going to be the 4 of us...
We are grilling hot dogs and hamburgers (not special, but traditional), making s’mores, and doing an outdoor movie in our backyard- either Independence Day or National Treasure. We might get our telescope out too, as we haven’t done that this year yet. Oh, and sparklers. Lots of sparklers.

[InBetweenDays]

Jul 3, 2020 14:54:29 GMT -5 ny96 said:

I wish we could see fireworks or do sparklers. Fireworks are cancelled everywhere around us and we’re in a fire zone so sparklers are not allowed.

I was going to suggest doing a bonfire in your yard but guessing that would be out as well if you're in a fire zone. How old are your kids? Could you campout in your yard? Do a July 4th scavenger hunt? Do a themed July 4th dinner where everyone dressed up?

[keweenawlove]

We went to the beach today and got burgers from the stand there. We'll probably do a different beach every day. So far we've had plenty of space to spread out at the ones around here.

Most likely doing smores tonight or tomorrow once it cools off a bit.

[1yeartogo]

We caught fireflies last night might be fun if you have them as an alternative to fireworks?

[ny96]

Jul 3, 2020 19:03:34 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

Jul 3, 2020 14:54:29 GMT -5 ny96 said:

I wish we could see fireworks or do sparklers. Fireworks are cancelled everywhere around us and we’re in a fire zone so sparklers are not allowed.

I was going to suggest doing a bonfire in your yard but guessing that would be out as well if you're in a fire zone. How old are your kids? Could you campout in your yard? Do a July 4th scavenger hunt? Do a themed July 4th dinner where everyone dressed up?

7 and 2. Unfortunately we don’t have much of a backyard and no grass. We went to a beach city today to ride bikes and scooters. It was so frustrating to see people crowding outdoor bars and restaurants when they have closed the beaches and most most recreation sites.

[wizardressofoz]

We got great stuff to grill and a new outdoor toy for the kids (a ninja line). We set up the pool and are just going to be liberal with popsicles, snacks, and family time. There’s a drive around parade in the morning, so we’ll go outside to watch that too.

[sent]

DD is going to wear her star shirt bought for the occasion. I spotted in my garage the flag that came with the house and will see if I can display it. I'm not sure if it has a pole. DD will be interested in that I think. Otherwise it's just another weekend really since the fireworks are cancelled. I forgot to buy DS a patriotic shirt this year but he doesn't really understand the holiday yet. Their dad will grill but he does that almost every weekend. 

[wanderlustmom]

Not much! And our 13 and 15 year old seem okay with it. We are running an informal 10K with friends (we are in Atlanta and my friend calls it the Peach Twig). DH is grilling us salmon. DD and I are going to blow up the baby pool in the backyard. That's really it.

[noodleoo]

Jul 3, 2020 15:24:54 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

Jul 3, 2020 14:54:29 GMT -5 ny96 said:

I wish we could see fireworks or do sparklers. Fireworks are cancelled everywhere around us and we’re in a fire zone so sparklers are not allowed.

Also not the same, but there's a lunar eclipse that will be visible across most of North America on the 4th.

That’s cool! What time? I’m guessing DD1 will not be sleeping tonight since all the assholes will be setting of FW all night (they are illegal in MA but no one cares). She would enjoy an eclipse.

[edwardo123]

Well, our outdoor pool was open, but we knew it would be too crowded during the day. Instead, we ordered Chinese and binge watched the Babysitters Club and Hamilton with our girls. At 6:30, we headed up to the pool. We were one of 7-8 families, so it was easy to social distance. We got home in time to shower, put on jammies, and sit on our back patio to watch fireworks in the neighborhood.

My kids missed going to our town’s parade and having a bbq with friends. I did talk more with my oldest about out the holiday doesn’t mean freedom to many people.

[krystee]

We went to my parents’ cabin a few hours away. I have been pleasantly surprised by how normal it has felt. We have boated and fished on their lake. The pony ride place is self guided on a short trail and you go in the building one at a time to pay, so we did that. Our favorite ice cream place, which normally has hordes of people in a tiny building, moved its flavor list and cash register outside (why didn’t they do this ages ago?!), so we were able to do that, and we went and saw planes take off and land at a local airport with no human interaction. We also saw fireworks at a place that had you stay in your car, so we had a regular fireworks experience. I kind of want to stay here for the whole month! I miss things like walking through the fudge shop and other cute little stores, but overall, we were able to do 80% of what we’d normally do when we come here. The boys are in heaven!