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Celebrate the 4th of July with the Family
On July 4, 1776, representatives of the United States of America signed the Declaration of Independence. Thus, Independence Day became a date to rejoice -- and we’re still celebrating two-hundred and thirty-five years later. So, in honor of our country’s birthday of independence, take your family and celebrate by doing something different and fun this year with your family.
Do you remember when our grandparents would become nostalgic, telling us about their small town 4th of July celebrations: the beautiful picnics that stretched for miles, children playing baseball, riding bikes, and just running outside like children used to do? It always sounded like it was fun. So perhaps, for this coming Independence Day, you and your family could recreate Grandpa’s memories and have an Old Fashioned Celebration. Play old games such as Capture the Flag, Kick the Can, Red Rover, or a friendly game of baseball. Have a picnic with Grandma’s old fashioned menu, like grilled hamburgers or some fried chicken, potato salad, and freshly squeezed lemonade. Make apple pie and homemade ice cream. You could purchase an “Ice Cream Maker Ball,” and let the children have a blast rolling the ball around while making the ice cream to go with your pie. Create a welcoming atmosphere by decorating with vintage- and antique-inspired embellishments and playing old music. Let the ambiance take you and your family back to the “back then” days our grandparents reminisce about.
If you’re looking for somewhere to go this 4th of July, go to the park. But not just any park, venture to your nearest State or National Park! Spend just the day, or stay for while. These parks offer something for everyone at a relatively low cost, from camping, gorgeous scenery (unique background for some family pictures), all sorts of recreational activities, tours, learning centers, walking trails, and beyond. Some parks even offer actual celebrations for the 4th of July. For more information about State and National Parks see these websites: www.reserveamerica.com, www.nps.gov, and www.stateparks.com. They are full of information about the area, the amenities offered, the kinds of camps sites available, what activities are offered, and event calendars. There are endless experiences awaiting your family at one of these parks.
Building a piece of furniture is an activity that normally wouldn’t be thought of as fun. But what better way to bring your family closer together than working with each other on a project? Ana White, from www.ana-white.com, has put together easy to follow furniture plans from all price ranges and skill levels. Pick out one of Ana’s plans for a picnic table and print it out. Take it to the lumber store with you, because it has your shopping list of supplies and cuts. If your family doesn’t have a saw, some lumber stores are happy to make the cuts for you, just call ahead to make sure. Throw your dinner in the slow cooker, and then you and your family get to work building. Everyone can take part, from drilling the holes to sanding. By the time dinner is ready, you’ll have a new picnic table to eat at, and it will be much more special than just any other table because you all built it together. Have fun this summer making memories, celebrating, and enjoying new experiences with each other.
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