Independence Day plans

Besides the amazing clothes that she makes and posts tutorials for (this blog seriously is what pushed me over the edge to learn to sew), the ever-impressive Dana is now giving me ideas on how to celebrate Independence Day. Put up posters of our Founding documents and important speeches to decorate your home. Have competitions on the Fourth, complete with prizes, on reciting some (or all) of those speeches. Raise the flag and state the Pledge of Allegiance. Ahhh! So cool! I have some quick planning to do since Independence Day is on Monday ... idea for next year: put up any kind of decor I come up with (or make) on Flag Day (June 14) and celebrate our country for a few weeks rather than just one day. We do it for Christmas - why not for some of the other significant holidays as well?

So far, in our little family, we haven't really made a big deal of Independence Day. When we lived in DC, we always went to a parade in the morning and to the fireworks over the Washington Monument at night, which yes, are very cool. (The year before Sunny was born, AC and I were even in the national parade down Constitution Ave. as balloon wranglers - that was awesome!) But we moved to Mississippi when Sunny and Posy were babies (not quite 3 and 18 months) so they don't remember any of that.

Mississippi hasn't given us much to work with, despite living next door to a Civil War battlefield. In fact, our town chose to not celebrate or even acknowledge Independence Day for about a century - during Grant's siege during the Civil War, Confederate General Pemberton decided to surrender Vicksburg on July 4th in the hopes of getting better terms. (I don't know if that worked.) Southerners have long memories, especially relating to the "War of Northern Aggression." July 4th still seems to be barely acknowledged and the only reason there's a local fireworks show is because the casinos pay for it. Go figure.

Anyway, here are more links to craft and dessert ideas if you're interested. My problem is narrowing down the list and finding a couple of things I can do with what I already have at home on such short notice.

Crayola - I like the "proud and patriotic garland"
Martha Stewart - her stuff is way out of my league but there may be something you like/can do
Latter-Day Homeschooling - round up, including a link to the round up they did last year
Kaboose - LOTS of ideas
Enchanted Learning - includes a number of print-outs