Fireworks Tent 2013 Recap

It's true that it's been two weeks since Independence Day. I feel like I'm so behind on everything that I want to document here on the blog, but I hate to just let good memories go away, so I'm going to post this anyway. Maybe someday I'll get all caught up again!

We had a really fun group of people working the tent this year. That always makes the week better!

Most of the tent staff (but still missing a few people)

For the first time since we've been doing this tent (eight years!), we had staff tshirts. We looked very official, and I think it helped people figure out who to ask when they had questions.

 Brett, Melissa, and Lauren

Technically, we are the Lee's Summit/Hillcrest Transitional Housing Tent. It was quickly renamed to the Ice Cream Tent. Laurel arranged for us to have a refrigerator/freezer hooked up in the tent, so we made the most of that!

Ryan (he wanted to be in disguise in this photo) and Laurel

This happens every year. After a few days in the tent, everyone starts to go a little nuts.

Left to Right: Lauren, Melissa, Ryan, Brett, Rebecca (me), and Brooks

Horizontal: Laurel

The big difference between this year and previous years was the weather. It was about 20 degrees cooler than any other year we've been out in the middle of that parking lot. It was so incredibly wonderful not to sweat to death out there. Of course, on the flip side, we had seven major storms to contend with. Fireworks and rain do not mix. At all. When rain comes, everyone springs into action and everything gets covered in plastic.

Okay, now watch this short video of what we had to deal with out there! The Weather Channel saw my YouTube video and actually emailed me. Five minutes after I responded to the email, they called and asked if they could run it on their website and in any programming on their TV channel. How cool is that?!

After fighting storms all week, we hit the 4th of July at full speed. We were so busy, no one sat down or had a chance to eat. Brad Munsen from the Lee's Summit Chick-fil-A came into the tent to do his fireworks shopping that afternoon and saw how busy we were. He called me over, asked me how many staff were in the tent, and then returned about a 30 minutes later with sandwiches, nuggets, and sauces for everyone. If it hadn't been for his generosity, no one would have eaten until after 10:30pm that night. It turns out that he also supports Hillcrest Transitional Housing through his business as well. It was awesome to meet him!

And, of course, Sean brought our babies out to see me. I loved that! He brought them out twice, but I only took photos the first time. 

All of the staff helped wrangle our kids since tents don't come with doors.

Brett carrying in the diaper bags. He was such a good sport!

We brought out the kids' lawn chairs, which actually proved to be really exciting for the public shopping in the tent. Who knew that little chairs could catch that much attention?

Daddy bought McDonalds for a picnic in the tent

Abby, Caleb, Elijah, and Ellie

Ellie, Mommy, and Abby

Abby and Ellie

Exploring the Tent!

I think the kids were exploring so that they can help sell fireworks in the future. We still have to work on what they are though. Elijah was very confused why the "Crackers" table didn't actually have any food on it....

It's true that it's been two weeks since Independence Day. I feel like I'm so behind on everything that I want to document here on the blog, but I hate to just let good memories go away, so I'm going to post this anyway. Maybe someday I'll get all caught up again!

We had a really fun group of people working the tent this year. That always makes the week better!

Most of the tent staff (but still missing a few people)

For the first time since we've been doing this tent (eight years!), we had staff tshirts. We looked very official, and I think it helped people figure out who to ask when they had questions.

 Brett, Melissa, and Lauren

Technically, we are the Lee's Summit/Hillcrest Transitional Housing Tent. It was quickly renamed to the Ice Cream Tent. Laurel arranged for us to have a refrigerator/freezer hooked up in the tent, so we made the most of that!

Ryan (he wanted to be in disguise in this photo) and Laurel

This happens every year. After a few days in the tent, everyone starts to go a little nuts.

Left to Right: Lauren, Melissa, Ryan, Brett, Rebecca (me), and Brooks

Horizontal: Laurel

The big difference between this year and previous years was the weather. It was about 20 degrees cooler than any other year we've been out in the middle of that parking lot. It was so incredibly wonderful not to sweat to death out there. Of course, on the flip side, we had seven major storms to contend with. Fireworks and rain do not mix. At all. When rain comes, everyone springs into action and everything gets covered in plastic.

Okay, now watch this short video of what we had to deal with out there! The Weather Channel saw my YouTube video and actually emailed me. Five minutes after I responded to the email, they called and asked if they could run it on their website and in any programming on their TV channel. How cool is that?!

After fighting storms all week, we hit the 4th of July at full speed. We were so busy, no one sat down or had a chance to eat. Brad Munsen from the Lee's Summit Chick-fil-A came into the tent to do his fireworks shopping that afternoon and saw how busy we were. He called me over, asked me how many staff were in the tent, and then returned about a 30 minutes later with sandwiches, nuggets, and sauces for everyone. If it hadn't been for his generosity, no one would have eaten until after 10:30pm that night. It turns out that he also supports Hillcrest Transitional Housing through his business as well. It was awesome to meet him!

And, of course, Sean brought our babies out to see me. I loved that! He brought them out twice, but I only took photos the first time. 

All of the staff helped wrangle our kids since tents don't come with doors.

Brett carrying in the diaper bags. He was such a good sport!

We brought out the kids' lawn chairs, which actually proved to be really exciting for the public shopping in the tent. Who knew that little chairs could catch that much attention?

Daddy bought McDonalds for a picnic in the tent

Abby, Caleb, Elijah, and Ellie

Ellie, Mommy, and Abby

Abby and Ellie

Exploring the Tent!

I think the kids were exploring so that they can help sell fireworks in the future. We still have to work on what they are though. Elijah was very confused why the "Crackers" table didn't actually have any food on it....

A Vacation + An Explosive Giveaway!!

Next week, I'm going on "vacation!" It involves heat, good friends, and lots and lots of EXPLOSIVES!

Every year for the past six years (okay, last year was the exception for obvious reasons), I've spent a whole week in a fireworks tent, sweating it out in the middle of a parking lot, and using a porta potty. As unattractive as that sounds, I missed it like crazy last year, but the sleep deprivation and needs of the kids made it impossible to even drop by. It didn't quite seem like Independence Day since I wasn't hanging out in the tent.

A couple of months ago, out of the blue, Sean suggested that we make it a priority for me to get back out there this year. Honestly, I really need the break and time to hang with friends. So anytime he isn't working, I will be at the tent...starting a week from today!

Me and my sister, Hannah, working the cash stations in 2008.

We seriously have the best tent in the Kansas City metro area. Why? Because in addition to some awesome hanging out with friends time for me (hehe!), they like to reach out to the community:

1) Starting in 2010 the tent has represented Hillcrest Transitional Housing which is a shelter for homeless families in Lee’s Summit. Hillcrest is such a cool organization! They have several different locations across the metro, but our tent will be donating to the Lee's Summit branch. The reason why I love this organization so much is that they don't just hand out assistance and expect nothing in return. Families who use their services are limited to 90 days in the shelter,all adults are  required to work 40 hours a week, and required to attend classes that will help them get back on their feet. With a 95% success rate, I feel like this organization is a benefit to the community without draining the community's resources. We need more of those. Score!

2) They offer 10% discounts to active and retired military (with ID) and homeschool families! I was homeschooled and have family in the military so both of those are close to my heart.

And, I'm happy to say that they are adding a new discount this year!

All Ishum Quad Blog Readers will get 10% off too!

All you have to do is print out a page from the blog or show it on your phone at the big yellow and white tent off of 50 Hwy in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and *BAM* 10% off for you!

I am SO excited!! And what with part of the proceeds benefiting a local organization, that's way better than buying from a big store where most of what you spend goes to overhead.

On top of that, they are sponsoring a couple of giveaways for FREE FIREWORKS on our blog!

Free explosives....um, YEAH! In fact, there won't be just one winner, but FIVE winners!

Up for grabs are four kiddie packs of fireworks: they include sparklers, poppers, snappers etc. Perfect for the younger sector. And because we have quadruplets, they are giving away four packs! I love a multiples friendly business!

They are also giving away a large party package filled with all sorts of different fireworks that shoot up and make noise. This is perfect for a family gathering! These always go so fast at the tent because they are the fun ones! It will either be the Pyro Blast or a like package valued at approximately $75!! That's a huge giveaway!

Entering is easy peasy! In fact, I've set this up so that you can get multiple entries since we are a multiples blog! Each activity you complete gives you one entrance into the giveaway. The more you do, the better chance you have of winning the Grand Prize Fireworks Package valued at $75!!

Make sure you enter the giveaway and then come out to the tent to see us and use your 10% discount just for being a reader! And keep an eye out for the Ishum Quads because I'm pretty sure they will be making an appearance at least one day in their Red, White, and Blue wagon!

(All entries will be verified!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

The fine print: The giveaway will close at midnight on Friday, June 29th with the winners being announced on Saturday, June 30th. Due to laws restricting the shipping and distribution of fireworks, all winner will need to pick up their prizes at the Lee's Summit, MO tent during business hours before the close of business on Wednesday, July 4th. At that point, all unclaimed prizes will be forfeited due to laws preventing the distribution of fireworks after July 4th. Winners assume all responsibility and liability while using their prizes. Winners will receive instructions about how to claim their prizes once the contest ends.

Next week, I'm going on "vacation!" It involves heat, good friends, and lots and lots of EXPLOSIVES!

Every year for the past six years (okay, last year was the exception for obvious reasons), I've spent a whole week in a fireworks tent, sweating it out in the middle of a parking lot, and using a porta potty. As unattractive as that sounds, I missed it like crazy last year, but the sleep deprivation and needs of the kids made it impossible to even drop by. It didn't quite seem like Independence Day since I wasn't hanging out in the tent.

A couple of months ago, out of the blue, Sean suggested that we make it a priority for me to get back out there this year. Honestly, I really need the break and time to hang with friends. So anytime he isn't working, I will be at the tent...starting a week from today!

Me and my sister, Hannah, working the cash stations in 2008.

We seriously have the best tent in the Kansas City metro area. Why? Because in addition to some awesome hanging out with friends time for me (hehe!), they like to reach out to the community:

1) Starting in 2010 the tent has represented Hillcrest Transitional Housing which is a shelter for homeless families in Lee’s Summit. Hillcrest is such a cool organization! They have several different locations across the metro, but our tent will be donating to the Lee's Summit branch. The reason why I love this organization so much is that they don't just hand out assistance and expect nothing in return. Families who use their services are limited to 90 days in the shelter,all adults are  required to work 40 hours a week, and required to attend classes that will help them get back on their feet. With a 95% success rate, I feel like this organization is a benefit to the community without draining the community's resources. We need more of those. Score!

2) They offer 10% discounts to active and retired military (with ID) and homeschool families! I was homeschooled and have family in the military so both of those are close to my heart.

And, I'm happy to say that they are adding a new discount this year!

All Ishum Quad Blog Readers will get 10% off too!

All you have to do is print out a page from the blog or show it on your phone at the big yellow and white tent off of 50 Hwy in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and *BAM* 10% off for you!

I am SO excited!! And what with part of the proceeds benefiting a local organization, that's way better than buying from a big store where most of what you spend goes to overhead.

On top of that, they are sponsoring a couple of giveaways for FREE FIREWORKS on our blog!

Free explosives....um, YEAH! In fact, there won't be just one winner, but FIVE winners!

Up for grabs are four kiddie packs of fireworks: they include sparklers, poppers, snappers etc. Perfect for the younger sector. And because we have quadruplets, they are giving away four packs! I love a multiples friendly business!

They are also giving away a large party package filled with all sorts of different fireworks that shoot up and make noise. This is perfect for a family gathering! These always go so fast at the tent because they are the fun ones! It will either be the Pyro Blast or a like package valued at approximately $75!! That's a huge giveaway!

Entering is easy peasy! In fact, I've set this up so that you can get multiple entries since we are a multiples blog! Each activity you complete gives you one entrance into the giveaway. The more you do, the better chance you have of winning the Grand Prize Fireworks Package valued at $75!!

Make sure you enter the giveaway and then come out to the tent to see us and use your 10% discount just for being a reader! And keep an eye out for the Ishum Quads because I'm pretty sure they will be making an appearance at least one day in their Red, White, and Blue wagon!

(All entries will be verified!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

The fine print: The giveaway will close at midnight on Friday, June 29th with the winners being announced on Saturday, June 30th. Due to laws restricting the shipping and distribution of fireworks, all winner will need to pick up their prizes at the Lee's Summit, MO tent during business hours before the close of business on Wednesday, July 4th. At that point, all unclaimed prizes will be forfeited due to laws preventing the distribution of fireworks after July 4th. Winners assume all responsibility and liability while using their prizes. Winners will receive instructions about how to claim their prizes once the contest ends.