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.