... it would be light outside at 5:30 a.m. into September instead of getting dark already in mid-August.

... the body didn't require sleep.

... my baby-sitting neighbor hadn't a.) grown up, and b.) moved away. 

... I could eat a heath/chocolate scone from Adirondack in Nisswa every day.

... my sister and her family lived closer to us. (This wish may someday come true!)

... school supplies and school clothes and school lunches were free.

... there were 36 hours in a day. (Maybe I could catch up on sleep!)

I'm a big fan of fireworks. Honest. I love leaning back on a blanket, gazing at the sky above me as bursts of color crackle above. My kids always ask, "Is this the grand finale? Is this the grand finale?"

Finally, the grand finale comes and firework after firework lights up the sky. Amazing.

It's a festive time in the lakes area with the Fourth of July right around the corner. There are parades in Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and Brainerd. Fireworks in Crosslake, Pequot Lakes and Brainerd. Plain and simple, it's a fun time.

Our tradition is to hit the Brainerd parade with neighbors, then filter down by the baseball field, form a circle with our blankets and camping chairs, and eat and play til the fireworks start. It's a long time, but we have so much fun.