No Children Required

This year, July 4th was a little bit different...for our family, holidays of the past were filled with giggling children eating hot dogs and playing penny pitch. This year, despite trying times, the gigglers, eaters and players were mostly adults, with one pre-teen and an infant along for the ride. My nephew E was a good sport to play with his older cousins, aunts, uncles and grandmas, and Baby m just chewed on his fist and tried to get milk from anybody within arm's length. Everyone was very well behaved! :)

Grandma, sis-in-law E, and P provided a basket-o-prizes, and you'd be surprised how competitive people can get over boxes of Cracker Jacks and Mardi Gras beads! The first game was "Candle Squirt," which paired up contestants tournament style. Each person got a little squirt gun, and whomever was the first to shoot the candle out COMPLETELY moved on to the second round. Sorry, Little Grandma. The rules were clearly laid out at the start. If the candle goes out and then comes back on, you gotta keep shooting!

"Penny Pitch" turned out to be harder than expected! My brother E won with only 4 out of 10 pennies landing in the cat food containers. One player (who shall remain nameless) didn't land a single penny. After hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages, and salads, we all took to the yard for "Hot Potato" and "Water Balloon Toss." Sorry, players, but you CANNOT refuse the potato, nor can you throw the potato AT YOUR MOTHER when the music stops. And it's only fair that all water balloons are filled to a similar capacity. If you pick a balloon that is SO OBVIOUSLY under filled, your uncle is justified in replacing it, even if you moan and groan about it.

In the end, I think everyone enjoyed the activities...I am blessed to have family and friends who are able to channel their inner children. Not one person rolled their eyes or laughed at me for suggesting games. And let me tell you...those pistol-packin' grandmas were a sight to see!