Free Spirits

Happy Fourth of July! The Declaration of Independence was signed July 4, 1776 and it proclaims that God gives every person a birthright of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The original document is housed in the National Archives in Washington D.C.

Talk with your family about what "freedom"means. Look at the Home Matters blog for some of my ideas about freedom--especiallythe freedom of choice we enjoy as Americans and as
Christians.

Freedom is never free, it always has a cost. The men who signed the Declaration of Independence paid dearly by putting their signatures out there for everyone (the British) to see. Some were killed, others imprisoned, their families imprisoned, their homes/farms/businesses destroyed.

Reading aloud their stories, and the Declaration of Independence is a good way to explain the importance of the 4th to children.

Here are some other ways to celebrate the 4th:

-Stage a parade/plan a neighborhood party--we decorated bikes, wagons, strollers with flags, red/white/blue, gave the kids kazoos or drums and had a parade up and down our cul-de-sac. Neighbors can bring food for a potluck. We would make homemade ice cream in the evenings and line our lawn chairs up near our alley to watch the fireworks all over town. (Plus let kids shoot off some with supervision.)

-Wear red,white and blue. Fly flags on your porch. Eat red,white and blue food- make red jello and blue jello in 9x13 pans, then cut into cubes.Serve in layers in clear glass bowls with whipped cream on top, or use blueberries and strawberries with ice cream, or on top of a cake.

-Do some"porching". No kidding, this is a bona-fide new word coined by Dr. John J. Buchino in his book written to praise the benefits of sitting on the porch. It lowers blood pressure and prolongs life!!! Serve ice cream, root beerfloats, or ice tea! (with mint and lemon)

-Have water wars. Fun in your back yard

-Hum"Stars and Stripes Forever" while twirling lit sparklers (makesurenooneisnear!)

-Play patriotic music, have everyone sing "The Star Spangled Banner" and explain its origin

Here are some other fun things to do in July:

-Celebrate July 20-the anniversary when man first walked on the moon in 1969. Serve moonpies, star-shaped cookies, Milky Way floats( ice cream and fruit juice) Go outside under the stars and lie on a quilt and do some star and moon gazing. Look for the man-in-the-moon!

-You celebrated Outer Space, now celebrate your family's Inner Space. Give the kids a trash bag, send them to their rooms, and see how much "Space" they can reclaim!!(check contents before giving away/pitching!)

-have a Christmas in July day--my kids loved this! We watched Christmas movies, wore a Christmas shirt, ate eskimo pies or other type of food.

-Go to your county fair--oooh and aah over exhibits and eat some fair food

Keep enjoying summer and your family--thank God for our freedoms !!!