America! Fuck Yeah!

I know you'll never believe this, but we threw a party for the 4th of July! I know!

Our first order of business was to get some bunting done. I cut up some burlap I had taking up space in my fabric basket & asked the fellas to stamp it with some homemade stars (cut up kitchen sponges--resourceful, yo).


Then we got all kooky with the red paper lanterns.


See?


I don't even know what to say about these. Once I had the vision of the kids wearing them, I was physically unable to resist making them. I made these from little wooden discs from the craft store, some funny sayings on a red & white background I made in Word (high-tech!) and printed onto typing paper, and a grosgrain ribbon glued onto the back.


I also just glued on the pinbacks, and then covered the ugly splotch of glue with a piece of adhesive-backed felt. Because 4-year-olds are totes hung up on those kinds of details.


I enjoy my own sense of humor.


Probably more than is justified.


Yup. Sparkly wands (Wooden stars glued onto dowels, decorated with foam stickers & red, white & blue ribbons. Also, bells. I should just stop talking now.)


Except I can't. Because: TUTUS! COME ON! Each little girl got one to wear at the party & take home.


Let's take a minute to stop thinking about how nuts I am and just admire this child. Isn't he pretty? Yes, yes he is.


Here is Captain America, striking a reassuring pose.


Here he is with Undersecretary America. Don't you just feel safer knowing they're out there, protecting our great nation?


Dance break.


Here's the table before all the food came & ruined my table scape. See that jar with the peaches floating in it? That is white peach sangria in there. White peach sangria tastes like heaven but that shit will Fuck. You. Up. Here's how to make it:

4 bottles white wine
1/2 bottle vodka
1 container concentrated lemonade
1/2 c. sugar
6 peaches, pitted & sliced.

Combine everything, let sit in the fridge overnight, drink slowly and with lots of food. Seriously. Don't leave out the part about the food or they'll have to scrape you off the floor.


Slip 'n Slide!


Children! Eating Otter Pops! On the Deathwish Couch! The Sangria helped me deal!


We ended the night plopped down in the driveway, watching fireworks that were happening somewhere far away but close enough to be exciting for the littles.


It was a beautiful way to spend the 4th of July. Surrounded by old friends and new, kids and grandparents. Burgers and dogs. Counting our blessings until we ran out of fingers & toes.


God Bless America, friends. And you & yours, too.