July 4th.
It was only the boys’ second day back home in the US after their Canada Day adventure in Ottawa.
For Dada, this morning was a special one.
Before anyone else was awake, he was already outside by the grill, getting everything ready.
Babou peeked through the door.
“Dada, what are you doing?”
Dada happily replied: “Getting ready for a big celebration.”
“AGAIN?” Babou asked.
Dada laughed.
“Yes, again! But this time, it’s a celebration here at home.”
He pointed to the little American flags around the yard.
“Today is July 4th. Independence Day.”
Benny clapped from Mama’s arms.
“Ba-bo!”
Dada smiled.
“Yes, Benny. Bravo. It’s a party.”
Soon, the house was filled with familiar voices.
Grandma Mimi and Grandpa Didi arrived first.
Then the cousins came running in, ready to play.
“Come in! Come in!” Dada called.
The backyard quickly filled with laughter.
Dada stood proudly by the grill as Babou watched him flip burgers and cook for everyone.
“Dada, you’re the king of the grill!”
Dada laughed.
“Today, I am.”
Benny smelled the food.
“More, more!”
Music played through the speakers.
Acee, their older cousin, showed off his soccer skills to Grandpa Didi.
“Nice kick!” Grandpa cheered.
Emma raced across the yard laughing while Bribri and Keke chased after her.
Nounou and Babou ran around pretending to be airplanes.
“Zoom! Zoom!”
Sysy showed Mama his favorite trains. Next to them, Bambino sat happily watching his cartoon.
Mama smiled at him with Benny in her arms.
“You’re okay Bambino?”
He nodded.
“Yeah…”
As the sun began to set, Dada looked around the backyard.
Everyone was together.
“This is my favorite part,” he said.
Babou looked up.
“What part?”
“Being with the people I love. Eating good food. Laughing together.”
Babou agreed.
“BEST. DAY. EVER.”
Before the fireworks started, Dada handed each boy a small American flag.
“Ready?”
Babou waved his proudly.
But Benny waved his a little too hard and bumped Babou on the head.
“Ouch!”
Mama quickly gave Babou a kiss.
“All better?”
Babou nodded.
Then the first fireworks burst across the sky.
BOOM!
Babou jumped.
“Whoa!”
Benny covered his ears, then peeked back up.
“More!”
BOOM!
Dada laughed.
“You like the big ones?”
Benny jumped.
“BIG!”
Later that night, after everyone had left, Babou sat beside Dada.
“Dada?”
“Yeah?”
“Why do we celebrate July 4th?”
Dada looked around the backyard.
“Because it’s the day we celebrate America’s independence. It’s kind of like America’s birthday.”
Babou thought for a moment.
“Like my birthday?”
“Exactly! We, as Americans, celebrate with yummy food, picnics, fireworks, and family.”
“I love being American.”
Benny rested his head on Mama’s shoulder.
“Bye-bye…”
Everyone laughed softly.
And under the summer sky, Dada held his family close, grateful for another day filled with laughter, love, and memories they would keep forever.
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💬 After The Story
Take a moment together to talk about what you just read.
🌿 Talk together
– Have you ever been to a barbecue?
– What’s your favorite food to eat there?
🌙 Gentle questions
– Do you love spending time with your siblings/cousins/family?
– What is something that makes an ordinary day feel extra special?
👶 For little ones
– Can you make your biggest “WOW!” face like Babou during the fireworks??
– Can you wave your hand like a little flag (Be careful not to wave too hard like Benny)?
✨ Feeling check
– Patriotic
– Grateful
– Overwhelmed
– Something else (you can tell me!)
—
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