One of "Those" Moms

I am totally one of those moms that starts to show you one picture of my baby and then ends up showing you several. I can't help it she is just so cute! Here are some of the pictures I keep on my phone to show everyone.

Ready for her 1st driving lesson

Rockin' the pink polka dot shades

Drying off after a nice swim

Her first carnival ride

Yummy carrots

I think she likes the ice cream better than the carrots

Taking a nap with Tigger

Goofy face

Mud Fight!

A few weeks ago Meric and I participated in a mud run. My little friend Emma wanted to run the race with us so I swapped kids with her mother for the morning. We took Emma and Emma's mom took Mel.

The race was held locally on an equestrian farm. It was 3.8 miles and included 16 obstacles. The race is held to help raise money for their youth programs. Since it was just a local event only about 100 people were participating.

In the beginning...

Meric's coworkers also were competing in the race and one of them brought her kids too. Among her kids were a 9 year old girl Ania and a 6 year old boy Ramyles. Emma was happy to see she would have a girl her age running the race with her. She was a little nervous because she didn't know what to expect.

We started the race running and soon came to the first obstacle, running through tires. The kids loved it and Emma relaxed and realize the obstacles were going to be fun. Next we came to bails of hay that needed to be climbed over. Once again the kids tackled and conquered the obstacle.

Ania and I running over the hay

Soon we came to a muddy creek. At first you could stay on the bank and not get too dirty or wet but soon the creek got deeper and wider and you had to wade through it. The water was up to my knees and it was a little bit of a challenge to keep from getting your feet stuck in the mud. We all made it through but Ania and Ramyles' mom, Gina, was a little behind. We all waited at the end to encourage her on but then somebody (I will deny it was me) got the bright idea to splash her when she reached us. Of course the kids loved it!

Meric's not far behind

As we ran the race the kids would yell "OBSTACLE" before we got to them. Most of the obstacles were natural like a creek or steep river bank but some were man made like the hay and tires. It didn't take long for us to start a mud fight. Every time we would reach a mud obstacle (which was often) we would all throw mud at each other or splash each other in puddles or the creek.

Meric and Gina conquering the hay

The most difficult obstacle was the mud crawl. You had to crawl under a bridge on your belly through very muddy water. Ania wouldn't do it but Emma was a real trooper and went through it no problem. We definitely weren't going to win for best time but we had a contest amongst ourselves as to whom would get the muddiest. Ramyles won hands down. He was so dirty he blended into the dirt path we were running.

Meric, Emma and I on the home stretch

We all had so much fun. I was so glad that we could do the kid swap and bring Emma with us.

Sweet as Honey: Mel's First 4th of July

The 4th of July is always such a fun holiday. Summer fun, BBQs and fireworks are a great combination. And of course there is always plenty of activities at Glendale Campground.

Mel getting ready for a golf cart ride

We started off the morning with a little tie-dye. I got myself a couple of shirts and Mel a few onesies to tie-dye. I let Emma rubber band and pick the colors for the onesies. I think she did a great job.

After a quick nap Mel then watched the kids in the campground try to catch a couple of greased pigs. And when one of the pigs got loose she got to watch a few of the adults try to catch the pig too! I let Mel check out the pigs once they were back in their pen. I think she probably thought they were some funny looking dogs.

This year everyone in the campground put paint on their hands and left their mark on a flag that said GLENDALE CAMPGROUND JULY 4TH 2014. We were so excited to have little Mel participate. After looking at the messy paint we thought it easiest and less likely to end up in her mouth if we had her do footprints instead of handprints. They turned out great and everyone will always be able to pick our her little feet.

I did say "less likely" to get paint in her mouth by doing her feet.

Later that evening we enjoyed some live music and roasted some hot dogs over the fire. Mel loved sucking on the chips soaked with pork and bean sauce. She got some food all over her patriotic outfit but Grandma had sent her plenty of outfits for the holiday.

After a wardrobe change we were ready for fireworks. Meric and I were very curious to see how she would react to them. She doesn't usually cry about loud noises and loves bright colorful lights so we hoped for the best. Her eye widened with the first volley of fireworks but when the loud booms of the next set went off she screamed. With that I pulled her close to me, covered her ears, gave her a bottle and talked to her as fireworks continued to explode. That worked she quit crying and watched the rest of the fireworks just fine. Well fine as long as she had her ears covered and a bottle or pacifier in her mouth. I wouldn't say she liked them but at least she handled them.

When the show was over Meric moved into her line of sight and she practically leaped into his arms. I guess it was her way and being saved from the torture of fireworks I made her endure.

On the short walk back to our house she was pretty much asleep. She had a long, fun and scary first 4th of July. Over all I would say it was a success.