Independence Day!

Posted July 4th, 2008 by Jen in family life, holidays, the ranch

JJ and JoJo love their flag face painting!JoJo and JJ would like to wish you all a Happy 4th of July! They say “We love America” and hope you do, too.

We enjoyed our hometown Independence Day parade this morning, and the girls got their fill of horses…and candy. I call them “professional parade goers” since they never forget to bring their candy bags, and beg to go to any parade within a hundred mile radius. At first, I thought they just loved parades. I’m a slow learner.

fighting over parade candyDear children! I had had to say more than once. This holiday is about FREEDOM not candy! I don’t recall this inundation with treats at my childhood 4th of July parades. It’s all in good fun, but for kids the age of mine, it can be…distracting!

We talked about the first 4th of July and will be listening to this story today about George Washington. If you have young children, I highly recommend subscribing to You Need a Story, an outstanding weekly production from Robert Green that will show up in your inbox every Tuesday or so, always an exhilarating audio adventure, maybe a classic, maybe an unknown literary gem.

Here is a photo of my kids’ favorite parade entry this year:
miniature horses pulling wagons

They adore the miniature horses, and we pass the farm where they live nearly every day, so they said a friendly hello!

And of course, our dear friends from Lone Pine Clydesdales were back at this parade, all rested from last week’s parade.

Alisha and the Lone Pine Clydesdales

Big L makes a wishWe stopped at our property on the way back to our rental house, and Big L took a moment to make a wish. “What did you wish for?” inquired JJ. “I can’t tell you!” he says.

“Was it for a great and awesome destiny?” JJ prodded. “Or a miracle?”

I loved her guesses! What a thoughtful and creative mind. I certainly have those wishes for our great nation!!

Do you have a wish for America? And any parade pictures posted? Let me know, and enjoy a lovely Independence Day, my fellow Americans.

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5 Responses

  1. Tipper July 4th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

    Everyone loves a parade!! Looks like your family had fun candy and all. My wish for America-that we would return to the values our nation was founded on! Happy Fourth to you!

  2. Heather Young July 4th, 2008 at 5:42 pm

    So sweet! We don’t do parades (the rows of firetrucks around here really put my kids off plus they can’t eat the candy–poor, sad, little kids.:)) My kids are outside watching God’s light show as the sun goes down ooing and awing over all he has done with one giant rain cloud and the setting sun (their immediate reaction was, “I HAVE to paint that!”) They are hoping to catch lightening bugs then watch for those fireworks that can be seen from our house. :)

  3. Sheila July 5th, 2008 at 8:05 am

    Great post Jen! Thanks for the link to the U need a story site! I’ll definantly use it.

    grace to you!
    Sheila

  4. Jen July 5th, 2008 at 9:15 am

    Tipper, that’s a wonderful wish for America!

    Heather, that’s the best light show, period. How darling, “I HAVE to paint that!”

    Sheila, you’ll love the You Need a Story -I’m glad you noticed that link.

  5. Debi S. July 5th, 2008 at 8:49 pm

    Once upon a time Bend had parades with John Deere tractors and all the good ol’ boys. Now we have in interesting pet parade and of course all the special people that own the pets.

    I vote for Redmond next year!!

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