Star Spangled Week!

The week of Fourth of July is one of my favorite times of the year as we celebrate our Independence and the freedom we so enjoy in this great nation. Use this week as an opportunity to teach your kids about the sacrifices our forefathers made so we may enjoy our present freedom. Read books about Americas fight for Independence. There are many excellent picture books for younger kids, and for the older ones I suggest The Light and the Glory (youth version), by Marshall and Manuel. Over the years I’ve bought several patriotic picture books about our flag and our forefathers, which I set around the house to serve as decorations and inspiration for family and friends.

Be sure to fly your flag. You may want to do a flag art project, using a large piece of white construction paper. Cut out a blue square of construction paper for the upper left corner. Use star stickers to decorate. Then color red stripes or cut out strips of red construction paper. You may even want to cover the finished project with clear contact paper or laminate so you can use them as place mats at your breakfast table.

Create a patriotic breakfast or desert using blue berries, strawberries and whip cream. You may enjoy making a patriotic flag cake by baking a vanilla sheet cake. Cover with white icing or whip cream, then use blue berries for the upper left corner and use sliced strawberries or raspberries to create the stripes. The kids love to join in the fun of making this creation.

Fourth of July Parade - Organize or participate in the neighborhood Independence Day parade (just hand out fliers to neighbors and see who comes). Decorate bikes, trikes and strollers with crepe paper, flags, pin wheels, etc. Place flags along the parade route. In our neighborhood we choose one house for the beginning and end of the parade. We played patriotic music on a jam box, provided lemonade, water and doughnuts and asked one person (usually with a red car or convertible) to be at the head of the parade. It was simple and special, and provided a wonderful gathering for neighbors.

Patriotic Prayer: This week is an opportunity to celebrate our country’s freedom and to thank God for our country. Ask Him to help us and take care of us as a nation. Pray for the upcoming election. Pray for God to heal our land and bring us back to Him. Thank God for providing the ultimate freedom from sin and death through His son Jesus.

Have a great fourth!!!