Clara's First Fourth of July

When we lived next door to Laurie and Russell we called ourselves the “compound”. When Russell bought a house and moved, our friend Jon said that we were now the compound fracture. For the last few years we have been having Fourth of July parties with Laurie and Russell. This year we had a “fractured” party. The party started on Wednesday at Parkinson Place. We swam, ate, and watched the fireworks at the high school. The high school is at the end of our block and by sitting on the side of the street we had a great view. Clara went swimming for the first time and definitely loved it! She started out in her floaty but it’s still too big for her so Kevin and I took turns holding her. Kevin even treaded water all the way across the width of the deep end holding Clara up. Luckily he is a good swimmer because I would have dropped her for sure.

The Nasalroads

Her floaty even has a beer holder!

Treading water 

Our friend Darren stopped to stay with us on his way from LA to Berkley and got to meet Clara. He was in Peace Corps in the group ahead of us and was in Olancho with us. She liked him of course and it was great catching up with him since we hadn’t seen him in three years since he finished Peace Corps. Clarita was honored to be the first baby that Daren had ever held (and glad that he didn’t drop her)!

Darren and Clara

The fireworks did not bother Clarita. She sat in Kevin’s lap and watched the first 15 minutes or so. Then she fell asleep and did not seem to notice the super loud booming all around her. She woke up when the fireworks ended and played while we cleaned up. Maybe next year she’ll stay awake and watch the show!

Outfit number one (the wet spot is from my swimsuit)

On Thursday we headed to Suemoto Spot for more swimming, eating, and fireworks. Clara “swam” for a good 45 minutes and enjoyed kicking her legs. She even let me float her on her back and didn’t seem to mind. All that swimming wore her out so she took a nap and then came out to play and flirt with everyone. At one point Kevin and Alyssa were standing next to each other holding the babies and Clara and Teagan reached out their arms and held hands for a little bit. Then Clara tried to eat Teagan’s hand and the fun ended. Sadly I missed this and nobody got a picture.

Butter and Bubbles

Clara's all ready to swim

We have a Fourth of July tradition of having a slip ‘n slide (aka plastic that they use to cover grape vines) and this year was no exception. I really wanted to slide Clara down it, but refrained. It was fun to watch Tristan and Reedcito slide down it. Good to know that the next generation likes slip ‘n sliding as much as us! Clarita will definitely be on it next year!

Reedcito

Tristan

Chelsea

Shannon

We set off fireworks and Chinese lanterns once it got dark. Clara once again stayed awake for the first few minutes and then fell asleep on Kevin’s lap. She did get to witness her first sparklers as we both held them while we held her. She woke up at the end of the show, ate, and was wide awake for the trip home. I think her first Fourth of July was a success complete with not one, but three super cute outfits!

Costume change (the first one got all wet)

Sparklers!

Sleeping on Dada