Savvy Toddler Mom

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m exhausted.  Whose bright idea was it to have a work day AFTER the holiday when you are supposed to stay up watching fireworks and then (for most of us) drive home in stagnant traffic?  I have a “holiday hangover.”

I had my first “Stadium of Fire” experience last night.  “Stadium of Fire” is the concert/vareity/fireworks show for July 4th in Provo, Utah.  I think it’s the biggest show available in the state.  You’d think with some serious years of experience at that venue — the BYU stadium — they could figure out a better parking strategy.  By the time we got there, SavvyDad and I were ready to leave already, we were so grumpy.  Provo Police, where were you?

Anyway, once we got in the stadium and in our seats, we had a really good time!  The toot loved the music, the dancing, the skydivers that parachuted into the stadium with the flag, and the F-16 flyover (really cool!), but NOT the fireworks the jets left behind.  Oh!  Even with preparation from us for the loud “pop pop pop” of fireworks, he did NOT like it AT ALL.

We left early.

Am I surprised we left early?  Not at all.  Did I think it was the right decision?  Absolutely.  Do I think other parents should do the same when their kids are frightened of loud noises, are out way past their bedtimes, and totally over-stimulated?  Yes again.  But do they?  Unfortunately not.

The toot was so wound up, he made it home awake after the hour drive to our home.  Also, because we left early, it was only an hour drive to our home.  I haven’t spoken to other family members yet (there were a lot of us there) to see how bad the traffic was going out, but I can only guess based on how bad it was going in an hour before the show started.  No, thank you.

By the way, we are ALL about flags over here lately.  We have to “find” them everywhere we go.  The toot has become a broken record player in the back seat. “More flags?” he asks.  “More flags? More flags? More flags?”  It’s adorable.

Luckily, this flag obsession has occurred simultaneously with the most patriotic week of the year.  That was a gimmee.

Here is a photo of the “Rocketman” from last night’s show.  I’m still deciding if I will ever go again.  It was a lot of effort (time, aggravation and money)… but it was a lot of fun while we were there.