July 4th...Independence Day rather.
As a child, and probably for too many years after, I simply thought of this holiday as the cookout and fireworks holiday. However, after homeschooling for the last couple of years, and appreciating history more as I re-learn it with my children...I want them to have a deeper appreciation of the holidays our nation celebrates then I did.
So, we had a discussion about appreciation and thankfullness. Having a greatfull attitude towards those who contunue to fight for the freedoms we consistently take for granted...our service men and women around the globe. This was brought even more to the forefront after I made a chance phonecall to Kohls.com customer sevic, just to prove to my daughter that there wouldn't be anyone there on this Holiday. For the record, mom was wrong. There was in fact someone there to answer the call as Kohls apparently outsources customer service on the Holiday. The friendly customer service rep with the thick accent who helped me made small talk while handling my order. She asked what we were doing to celebrate Independence Day citing her own curiosity about the US holiday that India obviously does not celebrate. I absentmindedly mentioned going to a party and cookout but didn't give it much thought until after the call and the moment had passed.
Then I thought...I wouldn't be able to go to the cookout and spend time with family and friends enjoying the day without our Independence. I do not live in a country where I have to fear for my personal freedoms, at least not yet. We just take that too much for granted as Americans. I have traveled to several other countries and I have seen first hand what so many here take for granted. For the freedoms we have in the US, I am ever thankful.
So we did head off to that cookout party, and it was the best ever! Every year my friends who host this annual event go all out and every year it gets more amazing. The planning and creativity that go into the day are second to none, I just don't know how in the world they are going to top this year's party...I mean look at this Barnyard Slip-N-Slide! I only wished I wasn't too self concious to take a slip myself...or too afraid of breaking something.
As a child, and probably for too many years after, I simply thought of this holiday as the cookout and fireworks holiday. However, after homeschooling for the last couple of years, and appreciating history more as I re-learn it with my children...I want them to have a deeper appreciation of the holidays our nation celebrates then I did.
So, we had a discussion about appreciation and thankfullness. Having a greatfull attitude towards those who contunue to fight for the freedoms we consistently take for granted...our service men and women around the globe. This was brought even more to the forefront after I made a chance phonecall to Kohls.com customer sevic, just to prove to my daughter that there wouldn't be anyone there on this Holiday. For the record, mom was wrong. There was in fact someone there to answer the call as Kohls apparently outsources customer service on the Holiday. The friendly customer service rep with the thick accent who helped me made small talk while handling my order. She asked what we were doing to celebrate Independence Day citing her own curiosity about the US holiday that India obviously does not celebrate. I absentmindedly mentioned going to a party and cookout but didn't give it much thought until after the call and the moment had passed.
Then I thought...I wouldn't be able to go to the cookout and spend time with family and friends enjoying the day without our Independence. I do not live in a country where I have to fear for my personal freedoms, at least not yet. We just take that too much for granted as Americans. I have traveled to several other countries and I have seen first hand what so many here take for granted. For the freedoms we have in the US, I am ever thankful.
So we did head off to that cookout party, and it was the best ever! Every year my friends who host this annual event go all out and every year it gets more amazing. The planning and creativity that go into the day are second to none, I just don't know how in the world they are going to top this year's party...I mean look at this Barnyard Slip-N-Slide! I only wished I wasn't too self concious to take a slip myself...or too afraid of breaking something.
Then there was this amazing GINORMOUS ball. I mean they do it BIGGER and BETTER and the kids have a blast...do you see that zipline in the background? And we aren't even in Texas!
The sack races, egg tosses, tug of war, water balloon fights, relay races, three-legged race and food were over the top.
We finished off the night with an invite to the home of a friend with a beautiful deck overlooking a pond where we watched amazing fireworks set off by other neighbors. The show was not to be outdone and not even the city fireworks could not have touched it. We were all ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the beautiful explosions when suddenly a ruckus called our attention away from the splendor as the family goat had gotten startled and decided to join us on the deck overlooking the pond...Doesn't get much better than that!
Happy Independence Day!
Happy Independence Day!
