Happy Birthday America!

A Day at the Lake

Since it's 103 degrees here on most days {usually by 10 am it feels like!}, we have been trying to stay cool anyway we can. We are lucky to have some great friends whose parents have a boat that we have definitely taken advantage of! We have been out on the boat 3 times in the past week and Merritt has become comfortable on the boat and in the lake. {If you know me, I do NOT like water. Period. There was an unfortunate incident when I was a child and have never learned to swim.} I am trying not to put that same fear in Merritt, so here is the family picture of us having fun in the water :) And if you notice closely... Yes, she is wearing a life jacket AND is in a floatie that I think is necessary.

After watching everyone take rides on the Jet Ski, Merritt wanted a turn too. I took a deep breath and said 'Ok.' As I watched them drive off, I could already hear Merritt yelling for 'Daddy go faster!' She came back to me with a huge smile {and in one piece} and immediately asked to go again... and again.... and again.

This is me on the Jet Ski... it is budgie corded to the boat and the ingnition is off {my kind of jet sking}.

Merritt loved watching all the boats, jet skis, and water skiers go by! Eventually all of the fun, water, and sun would have the sleepy effect! Once we would decide to go cruising {or as we like to say, 'Go House Hunting on the Lake'}, the motion of the waves, Merritt is out...

Thank you Auntie Yourli {Lori} and Silly Uncle Jay for inviting us out - we had a wonderful time!

You're a Firecracker Project

While blog hopping I landed at 2 of my latest blog obsessions ~ Shindig and Lil' Luna ~ I check out their fun new ideas daily! I had to try to make these Firecracker Gifts for Merritt and since I was making one... why not 2 :) You can find more specific directions on how to make the Firecrackers on their blogs but I will give a brief description of how I did it.

I hopes of finding all the supplies at one store, I headed to the Dollar Tree. They didn't have Pringles chip cans there so I went with Doritos cans instead. It was a good thing too because I went a little crazy with the surprises I put inside and I am not sure everything would have fit in a Pringles can {I had a long list of places I was going that day and seemed to pick up a little something from each place I went!}.

Step One: Turn the can over and with a knife, cut the silver bottom off. Then empty the chips into a plastic baggie {or into a bowl for a snack while you work - just watch out for orange fingers if you are eating Doritos}. Using a damp paper towel wipe the inside of the can and the silver bottom clean.

Step Two: Put all the goodies inside the can. Some of the treats I put in my cans were Patriotic Sticker Sheets, Silly String, Red White and Blue Lei, Paper Chinese Firework, American Flags, Stars and Stripes beach ball, Paper Di-Cuts ofAmerican symbols, and Red & White Pinwheels.

Step Three: Reattach the bottom of the can with hot glue. This will ensure that when the Firecracker is opened, they can hear the 'pop' of the top!

Step Four: Decorate! If you use Pringle cans, there are FREE printables that will cover the can perfectly at Shindig and Lil' Luna! I bought a package of patriotic scrapbook paper at Tuesday Morning for $3 that covered the Dorito cans. For the lid, I cut 2 slits in the plastic and threaded ribbon, tinsel garland, and pipe cleaners through. Since I couldn't fit the fabulous 4th glasses into the can, I used them as part of the decoration for the lid. Use your finger to wind the pipe cleaners and garland around to create a spiral so it looks like the lid is exploding. I also added some glitter stars, American flags, and an initial of the person receiving the Firecracker and...

BOOM! You're ready to set off the perfect Fourth of July Firecracker for the Holiday!

July Fourth Fun!

This week we started our Fourth of July fun in June at our friend Leah's Meme and Papa's pool! They were so nice to let our playgroup come visit, cool off, and have red, white, and blue fun! Merritt and I brought a little 4th of July firecracker, since we can't set off the real thing, as thanks for inviting us!

The pool was amazing! It had the perfect shallow lounge area for Merritt to walk in {and of course line things up}. I think the hit of the pool party was the fishing set, everyone loved using the fishing poles to catch all the pool toys!

Also notice my little firecracker's bathing suit - Merritt's first 2 piece- very patriotic!

Everyone had such a great time playing and snacking. Check out Trenton's orange hands - I think he enjoyed his Cheetoes! Too bad he wouldn't share with Kat, she had to get her own bag :)

Instead of three men in a tub... check out the three girls in a float! Love this picture of the girls floating in the pool!

After a yummy lunch of mini burgers, hot dogs, fruit, and chips {during which all Merritt could talk about was the 'blue cake'} we sang Happy Birthday to Scarlett, who turns one today and ate cupcakes.

We are thankful for so many things during this time of year... Our brave soldiers that keep us free, our new home that keeps us safe, and our friends and family that make us feel so loved!

Happy Birthday America!

I love holidays, the food, family, and friends getting together. The 4th of July is no exception, I come from a military family who has served in every war or battle since WWII, so this is a special holiday for me.

The 4th of July weekend started yesterday with a trip to a friend's house and we cooked on the grill, played in the pool {well, I didn't but that is a story for a different post}, and of course the guys jumped on an oiled up shamu inflatable {it's tradition}.

I hope you enjoy your holiday and have fun; from our family to yours!