July 4th has always been a special holiday to our family.  When I was little I would get up early to play tennis and watch Wimbledon, and then rush to spend the rest of the day at the pool.  Our neighborhood pool would make the 4th a pretty big deal, with contests and festivities all day long.  At night we would watch our dad shoot off illegal fireworks until the cops showed up.  Ironic that I’m now married to one :).  It’s hard not to long for simpler times, particularly when we don’t have any set plans for the holiday weekend.  What about you guys?  Do you have any old or new holiday traditions?

Image Credits:  1  /  2 (taken by me in Nice, France)  /  3  /  4

Here are some of my favorite songs of the moment to help me get in the mood of summer. I feel like it is just flying by.  Here is the link if you are unable to play it within the post.