H appy June! Friends, normally around this time I am talking about camping and getting ready to relax. Well not this year! America is having a big birthday! I know we don’t ask ladies their age, but this is the exception. She is turning 250 years old! She doesn’t look like a day over 100! There are going to be tons of parties and community activities, so much fun to be had! I can’t wait! If you don’t normally host or have plans on the 4th, may I suggest, looking to see if your community needs volunteers for their shindigs. Many hands make light work for events. Now if you are hosting a party, you need to get a jump on it. It will be here before you know it. Here are my favorite tips and tricks for an outdoor party.
First, I like to plan enough things to keep kids and husbands busy. Planting the husband on the grill generally works. Depending on the age range of the kids, glow sticks, bubbles, chalk, water guns, sprinklers, equal fun and busy for kids. If you do bubbles or water toys you really want to make a refill station it will save you from the “help me” kids and let them be independent. I might suggest having a make your own snack station, our go to is smores. Anything that simple, is always a win.
I like to make sure I have a schedule, or good guess for timing so everything can run smooth. I know with fireworks you really have no control of the timing there, but if you know how long the wait is you can keep the kids busy. Adults always just chit-chat and that’s enough entertainment for them. Thankfully.
As far as table and serving. I love real dishes, but when it comes to outside parties, I buy paper and plastic, especially since we know the 4th will be a late-late night for everyone. So, throw away, really is the best way to be kind to yourself. Make sure you also keep everyone hydrated and lots of shade; Oklahoma heat is already heating up so lots of water and electrolytes to keep everyone going. No one wants to be dehydrated or have heat exhaustion. (A gentle reminder: just because it’s in the evening or dark doesn’t mean a person can’t get dehydrated or experience heat exhaustion.)
Here’s a list of dehydration symptoms to be on the lookout for.
Thirst: Your body’s natural signal that it needs water.
Urine Color: Dark yellow or amber-colored pee.
Dryness: Dry or sticky mouth, chapped lips, and dry eyes.
Decreased Output: Urinating less frequently than usual.
Physical Discomfort: Mild headaches, muscle cramps, or general fatigue
Warning Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Watch out for the following symptoms, which typically appear quickly:
Skin: Heavy sweating, pale, cool, or clammy skin
Nervous System: Dizziness, lightheadedness, or brief fainting
Digestive: Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
Physical: Weakness, fatigue, headache, or muscle cramps in the legs, arms, or stomach
Vitals: Fast, weak pulse and rapid or shallow breathing
Other: Intense thirst or decreased urine output
Immediate First Aid
If you or someone else exhibits these symptoms, take rapid action to prevent it from progressing into heat stroke:
Move to a cooler place: Get to an air-conditioned area or seek deep shade.
Cool the body: Loosen or remove unnecessary clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths to the skin, or take a cool shower.
Hydrate: Sip cold water, clear broth, or an electrolyte-rich sports drink. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine.
Rest: Lie down and elevate your feet slightly.
Most importantly, have a good time! The world is crazy right now, and it feels like it is getting crazier each day. We all deserve to let our hair down. Have some good ol fun and celebrate our America!
Happy Cleaning
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