Fourth of July Festivities

For the last few years we have hosted a 4th of July get together.  Every year may be a little different, every year may be different people, but it's OURS. (as you can tell I love traditions)  It's our little traditional get together.  Something the kids can count on and look forward to.  That tradition we created is probably one of the reasons the fourth may be becoming one of my favorite holidays.  Another reason is the feeling that comes over me watching fireworks.  It isn't really describable, the feeling of pride in being an American, the feeling of community as you look around at the people gathered....Not sure what it is, but it gets me choked up.

This year we are expecting a pretty good group, about 6 families I believe.  We are doing the grilling and have asked everyone to bring a dish and BYOB.  So much less stress and a little more affordable this way!  Hopefully the sun comes out and the kids can have some water fun.  I absolutely LOVE watching my kids playing with our friends kids.  What great memories!  Although I am really wanting to go see fireworks, I do believe we have a few to light off here at home.

The kids and I had fun putting together a few decorations.  We painted a couple of cans blue.
Then attached some decorative crepe paper.  Ed will drill holes in top of the can and then we can hang them up.  We also mod podged blue, white, and red tissue paper to some spaghetti jars.  These are to hold our "sparklers".  I purchased some decorative wire at the dollar store.  Three pieces were cut and pushed into a straw.  A fourth piece was used to wrap around the straw.  (adapted from www.wehaveaars.blogspot.com).  I smile every time I walk past:)  I also printed out some patriotic art at www.tatteredandinked.blogspot.com.    Last, we have some colored table cloths.  I am so excited to see it all put together!!

A few days ago we also did a holiday craft.  We made flags with tissue paper.  We pasted white paper onto blue paper, and a small blue square in the upper corner.  Then we scrunched up tissue paper to make the flag; red for the lines of the flag and white for the stars.  Kids loved it and it turned out so cute.

Happy 4th of July and have a wonderful, safe holiday!!