Happy Fourth of July!

There is a giant, "mile long" yardsale that's held in Shrike'sWorkTown every year on July 4.

Well, you know we couldn't resist that!

So, we donned the most patriotical outfits that we own (Me: RedCounty Democrats t-shirt, and Mama for Obama button; Shrike: T-shirt honoring WWII WASPs), packed some drinks and snacks, stopped at an ATM machine, and headed down there mid-morning.

We tried to be pickier about tiny, pink things - especially the teeny-tiny things, as Peeper already probably has more 0 - 3 month onsies than she can possibly wear before she outgrows them, but I did buy a few really cheap (50-cent, 10-cent) outfits for her at one place (for a total of $1.50).

We also got a bag of maternity clothes for me (three pairs of work-appropriate pants, one pair jeans, several work-appropriate shirts and a couple of casual shirts), plus a few tiny, long-sleeved, plain white onsies for Peeper (she will be born in winter, you know) at another place for a little under $60.

That's way more than I like to hand over at one time at a yard sale (or anywhere else, for that matter) but, as Shrike pointed out, "You have to have them, and it's not like spending $60 on the kid. You can't register for maternity pants, you know."

Touche', my love.

I also got a few decorative things - a set of Christmasy (or were they snowmen?) nesting bowls for $1.50, and two watermelon-themed serving baskets, along with a ceramic watermelon-cut-into-a-basket-shape bowl, all for $2.50.

We also found Peeper a sweet little pair of tiny, pink shoes for $0.25.

And Shrike bought a skateboard (for herself) for $0.50.

She says, "This is what happens when you prohibit your kids from doing things when they are young. They wait until they are too old and fragile and do them anyway."

I've suggested that she invest in a helmet and wristguards, at the very least, before she try it out.

Oh, but that's not all the stuff we've gotten lately . . . .

Yesterday evening, I stopped by LiPA's house to pick up a ton of stuff that she pulled out of her basement and attic for us!

All her cloth diapers and covers (small/medium - good through around 25 lbs), which she sold to us for $50, several, hooded towels, a potty chair and seat (more on that later), a bassinet, and a ton of books and toys.

She was telling me that her youngest, J, has been rather attached to the potty seat, even long after she was done using it, but that when she saw it sitting out, she said (of her own accord), "We should give that to Shrike and Whozat for their baby."

"Hey, that's a great idea!"

While I was there, J went to the bathroom, and came back carrying one of those seats that you put on top of the big potty, and told me, "This is for your baby. It's so she doesn't fall in the potty."

"Well, thank you! Was that yours, but you're big now and don't need it anymore."

"Yes. And I had diarrhea on this part - but my mommy cleaned it up."

A bit more information than I needed, but on the other hand, I was already buying the diapers that she wore for the first nine months or so of her life, so I supposed the concept of "J pooped on it" wasn't really a deal-breaker in this situation.

But, back to today - after the yardsale, we got some lunch, then went to over to a party that some friends were having. We hung out there til around 3 or so, then headed home.

Then, of course, it was nap time.

Now it's about 8 pm, and it's drizzling outside and we're trying to figure out how to get word on whether the big fireworks display is a go or not.

I think we'll drive over there in a few minutes and just see for ourselves.