I always say that there is nothing like being in Northern Michigan on the lake for the 4th of July. My parents have a house on Lake Charlevoix in Boyne City, Michigan and it has been one of my favorite places to go to in my life. It's hard to explain, but you immediately feel at ease up there and everything is wholesome and fun!

My mom is the best at putting together parties! She puts me to shame when it comes to being creative and coming up with cool ideas. This one was too good not to share. Every year in Boyne City on the 4th of July they do their annual "Duck Race." It's not what you would think... when I first heard about it years ago I pictured real ducks that raced in the water. It's even better! The town of Boyne City gets really busy for the 4th of July. They have art fairs, farmer's markets, everyone is boating and spending time on the lake. In town, around all of the activity, they have a cute little river AND on that river they drop huge bins full of little plastic ducks. They look like the typical rubber ducks that kids play with in the bath tub. So each of these ducks have a number on them and the first 10 win money! First place I believe is like $1000, 2nd is $500, and it gets less as the numbers go. So everyone buys tickets before the race with a number on it and hope their duck wins! Everyone gathers around the river to watch these ducks. It might sound like a very random event, but it's actually really fun.

My mom decided to do a breakfast to get all of us excited for the race (and the 4th of July). I mean how cute is this table setting? She used blue and yellow as her colors and made it very fun and kid friendly without it being cheesy. For the napkins she found these duck wristbands that the kids could wear and play with. She even got shirts MADE! She went all out!

My Aunt Leah is an amazing florist based in Saginaw, MI who does incredible work. My mom asked if she would put something together for the breakfast and look how fun the duck centerpiece is with the arrangement in it. If you are in Mid-Michigan and are looking for the BEST florist her flower shop is called Grohman's Greenhouse and Flower Shop. She has a shop as well as delivery. (Click here for the info)

Above is a picture of Grant's shirt and new matching sippy cup! I just die from the cuteness!

Below, is a picture of what she made for breakfast. They are called "chicks in a nest" and they are hash browns that were baked in muffin tins to create a cup and then filled with scrambled eggs... then topped with sour cream and chives. You could bake the hash browns then crack an egg and bake to cook the egg that way but it would create more of a creamy (less cooked) egg. My mom's way is a more kid friendly version... and since my sister hates undercooked eggs this was Nina-friendly as well.