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Email a FriendWe aren’t doing much, unfortunately. Just wanted to pop in and say I LOVE the idea of reading the Declaration of Independence aloud! I’m thinking we’ll have to incorporate that as the little one gets older!
How Do You Celebrate?
tell us about Independence Day at your house
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Family on Saturday, July 04, 2009 12:00 PM
Rachel showed us her yummy ol’ flag.
We have family traditions and political traditions. On the nerdy side, we usually attend a potluck cook-out with other political philosophy grads who’ve ended up in official Washington.
It’s nice to see that policy wonks have families and eat hot dogs like everyone else.
But it bores the stuffing out of the kids, to be honest—it’s usually too hot to make full use of playground equipment, so for them, it’s standing around listening to grown-ups debating what Aristotle would say about Judge Sotomayor and figuring out how to recover the Western philosophical tradition.
At some point in the afternoon we cut the philosophizing short and head to my parents’ place, where there is a pool, often the first corn on the cob of the season, and sparklers. (Although this year, literal Uncle Sam—my brother—has promised a more fantastical display—I’ll let you know.)
Someday I plan to start taking the kids to the NSO concert and national fireworks display on the Mall ( a favorite memory from when I was a kid). I think it’s important to mark our national day with some form of participation in the larger community and I want my kids to be with their fellow Americans on 4th of July. But small child bladder control is an issue at present. Maybe next year.
At some point in the evening we’ll read the Declaration of Independence aloud, praise God for the gift of liberty and pray for our nation, her people and her leaders.
And you? Do you have a traditional menu for Independence Day?
Do you mark the day with special readings or prayers? Do you take part in parades or other community activities?
Do tell! And if you took pictures or blogged about it, leave a link to that post in Mr. Linky, below.
Comments
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Posted by Rebecca Teti on Saturday, Jul 4, 2009 3:35 PM (EDT):
Here’s a dramatic reading of it from a bunch of stars. Somewhat Hollywood-ized, but it’s still nice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYyttEu_NLU . I like Morgan Freeman’s intro.
Posted by Elizabeth Foss on Saturday, Jul 4, 2009 1:47 PM (EDT):
We always have cherries (I’m not sure how that got started)and we always make a flag cake. Our favorite memories are of watching the national fireworks in DC from the roof of the Army-Navy Country Club. Some years, though, it’s just sparklers at home.
Posted by CMV on Saturday, Jul 4, 2009 5:52 PM (EDT):
We live in a “small town” outside of DC that still has the hometown feel. This morning we joined in the parade - older daughter with the softball all stars, younger two in the bike brigade. There are more people IN the parade than watching it but it is always a blast. The local sports teams -fire trucks - bikes and strollers - horses - dogs - and a whole bunch of neat cars.
For part 2 of the day we head to a picnic in our neighborhood - it has been going on since the first house was built in the late 1970s and most of the original owners come back to join their friends and all of us “new” families. It’s always fun.
Love the Declaration of Independence idea - might add that tonight.
Posted by Charlotte (Matilda) on Saturday, Jul 4, 2009 5:57 PM (EDT):
We stayed up for live fireworks last night so today is about resting, hot dogs, making firework pictures, chicken salad, patriotic colors, star shaped jigglers and other fun desserts in all shades of red, white and blue. Happy Fourth everyone!
Posted by Joan on Saturday, Jul 4, 2009 10:32 PM (EDT):
Every 4th for the past few years is spent down the Jersey Shore. Usually my son brings a few of his friends, and we spend the day at the beach. We have BBQ chicken, corn on the cob and potato salad. For dessert I make a Fun Fetti 4th of July cake. When it gets dark, we usually meet up with my cousin and watch fireworks on the beach. It’s a wonderful way to spend the 4th. Best part is, we stay at the beach for a week or two!!
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