After celebrating so many birthdays in our family, it was time to celebrate the birth of our nation. We had the traditional cervelat sausages for lunch, and then that evening we busted out the real fun, fireworks!
It’s always a fine balance between waiting until it’s dark enough to make the fireworks looks cool, and early enough that the kids get enough sleep. Getting easier now that the kids are older, though.
Traditionally, many people start out the day by going to a farm for breakfast. There are hundreds all over the country that offer this holiday meal, but you do need to reserve a spot pretty early. And it’s kind of expensive, although considering you are getting fresh baked Zopf (braided bread) ,eggs, sausage, meat slices, cheese and fresh fruit, most of it grown right on the farm you are eating at, it’s not outrageous. We could never afford it when the kids were small, and now with Chris’ food allergies we don’t dare. But I think it might be fun to at least recreate the fancy breakfast at home. Might have to remember that for next year.
The towns don’t really organize official firework displays, but if you are up in the mountain areas, they have coordinated bonfires. Meaning, if you are down in the valley, you can look up and watch bonfires light up in succession all along the mountain peaks. My friend saw it one year and said it was really beautiful. Another thing to add for next year.
It’s always a bit of controlled chaos, helping the kids all light their sparklers, keeping the hot ones separate from the cool ones, and in between, lighting the fireworks the kids can only watch, not touch. Usually after a bit, Chris takes pity on me and comes down to help. 🙂 His fear of someone getting burned is stronger than his dislike of the whole process in general. haha
And the favorite classic, Wizard Dueling with sparklers, never fails to entertain. How handy that the sparklers come in red and green, just like the sparks in the movie. 🙂
This year I was determined to also buy some “big” fireworks. You know, the kind that shoot up in the air and then explode? Even stopped at a few stands trying to find some. Thought I had been successful until we opened the box and lit them.
Hmm, pretty, but definitely not what I had in mind. Oh well, we still enjoyed them.
Happy birthday, Switzerland! You rock!