The Greatest 'Venture Ever (?!)

So the 4th of July started out on a good note for the T family. T always works on the 4th, so we knew we wouldn't see him until dinner time. I decided to a little impromptu photo shoot out front before we left for a Starbucks run Target.

You like Natalie's hair bow? I made it!! Yes, I sure did...I am tickled pink with myself. I might just do a little tutorial on that for those of you with girls.

Poor Michaela Byrd. She's wearing one of Natalie's hand-me-down 4th of July outfits. The child is so skinny that the sleeves kept falling off one shoulder. That didn't stop old ladies in Target from stopping to ooo and aah over my cuties.

We returned home to find a squirrel sunning himself on our newish stolen picnic table. (Back left corner of table) My camera is just a plain Sony, no great zoom; so you can't see his little front paws dangling over the edge of the table, or his hind legs posed like a frog. I don't mind his sunbathing so long as he steers clear of my bird feeders. At least he was enjoying the holiday, right?

This is what I worked on first when we got home. Chocolate dipped pretzels!! Got the red bucket at the Target Dollar Spot and printed the label out on our home printer. They were a hit.


Clearly some people have a hard time resisting temptation. She found every stray sprinkle and ate them all.

While the girls napped, I baked a batch of cupcakes and did my best to decorate them in a festive manner. I'm sure those of you with actual skill are appalled. I'm okay with that.

After naps, we headed over to Mimi's (my mom) for a cookout with my brother, Jamie and his wife, Su-Su. Natalie immediately found Mr. Darcy (Mimi's kitten) and convinced him to "play."Mr. Darcy said that he preferred not to go on a stroller ride, so Natalie buckled him in. He hasn't figured out that she's an imposing figure.

My dream of a perfect 4th of July always ends with the family hanging out on a nice picnic blanket watching the fireworks. Too bad the reality was I got stuck on a bridge with a whiny three year old.

T and Jamie took Michaela Byrd home to bed and ditched the rest of us girls to watch soccer (okay, it was the U.S. that was playing, I'll give them that). In hindsight, I envy their choice.

Here's Mimi and Su-Su with Natalie, walking through Olde Towne to get to the bridge, the only open spot left where we'd be able to view the fireworks.

We ended up next to a surly woman with a lit cigarette. Natalie had a great time at first. As you can see below, she found some dirty rocks sea shells to pass out. She found a little boy to play with, and they took turns throwing dirty rocks sea shells off the bridge. I was glad we didn't take Michaela Byrd because those openings in the bridge railing looked like the perfect size for a skinny toddler to squeeze through.

Here's Su-Su and I waiting for the show to begin. I'm not sure why I always have my glasses on in my blog pictures. I only wear them when I'm driving at night or to see the screen at the movies (two very important things).

It got darker, and it got hotter as more people pressed onto the bridge for the show. My sanity began to melt as Natalie, who was up a good hour past her bedtime already, began to whine and fuss. She watched about two fireworks hit the sky before she started hanging on me.

It was then that I realized that being on a bridge could be a good thing. I tried to judge the distance to the water. Perhaps I could jump in, swim away, and they'd never miss me? I decided against it because I had new capris on. And I don't like river water.

As we trudged back to the car, Natalie sat on my shoulders, almost knocking my $$$ DKNY frames off my face into the River. After a big gulp from a water fountain my mom was sure would give us cholera (or hypothermia or something), Natalie rallied. In the car on the way home she stated, "This is the greatest 'venture ever!"

I guess I need to start gearing up for next year's 'venture, huh?

If you missed my link up to Miss Rhoda's Thrifty Treasures party from last night, please stop by here!

Hope your 4th of July was wonderful! God Bless America!