Mom: Happy 4th of July!

The last few years we have been at the beach during the week of the 4th (always prefer to take 4 days of vacation and use a holiday whenever possible).  But this year, we took Susan to Tupelo in June and Chris and I went to Florida in May so no big beach trip this summer.  One is already planned next year for the 4th and I am sure it will be a blast.

We had a lot of fun this year.  Susan didn't make it to any big firework shows (maybe next year) but she did get to march (stroll) in the Carrboro 4th of July Parade and then had a great rest of the morning playing at the Festival.  There was a costume contest, face painting, games, a baby crawling contest (which we missed so that we could take our baby home for her nap), a toddler obstacle course, kid zone bounce houses, various concerts, and a scrap exchange.  Susan had a really good time.  We did too (although it was so humid - it felt like we were walking around in soup).  After the parade, Susan played in the toddler play area and then we walked around to look at all the other activities.  If we ever get to go again, I think Susan will have even more fun because she will really get to enjoy all the other big kid stuff.

Before the parade - but already a little hot!

She did take a 30 minute power nap before the parade - what you can't tell is that she is surrounded by about 100 people in very close proximity to each other which didn't phase her at all.

Really ready for her to wake up!

 

Enjoying the Toddler Play Area!

Nothing like playing with Legos in the 95% humidity!

She had a great afternoon nap and woke up refreshed and ready for the Cook Out. My parents and brother came over.  Susan dazzled with some of her new words - she is now saying "side" to go inside or outside - and with all of the energy she has obtained in the last week.  I'll blog about that later this week but just know that during the last week she had a huge milestone week and its has shown.  So she climbed on chairs, played in her sand table (where she ate sand and threw it in her hair) and danced to Pandora's Summer Oldies station.  The grown ups drank beer and watched her.  We cooked out burgers, complete with Southwestern Black Bean Salad and sweet potato fries.  And for dessert, I made festive Red, White and Blueberry Cheesecake Yogurt Cupcakes.  They were delicious and all 12 were enjoyed that evening.

Master of the Steps.

Cool Baby!

These really were delicious and easy to make!

Festive platters and cupcake tins purchased at The Dollar Tree!

It was a great holiday.  I love the 4th of July and always have.  When I was really little and still lived in MS, we would swim and cook out at Papa's and Gig's.  When we moved to North Carolina, in middle school, my friends and I (Allison, Megan and Jennifer) would ride our bikes to the Adams Farm pool approximately 1-2 hours before it opened every 4th of July.  Then we would stand in line (usually at the front) waiting for the pool to open, ensuring a prime pool chair location for the day.  It is such a fun summer holiday and I hope Susan always has great memories of it too!  We definitely made some good ones this year!