Have a Safe 4th!

Hey there friends!

I have to admit...I'm that mom that freaks out over sparklers. They just make me nervous! I was never allowed to have them growing up, and now they just make me antsy with little ones around.

Last year, we decided to get crafty and make our own fireworks. We attempted straw painting. I think our paint was too thick...

We also made these, and they were a hit! Some sparkly pipe cleaners, some craft sticks and  little hot glue...DONE! Easy peasy, and lots of fun to run around with.

This year I've been looking for other fun alternatives to sparklers and, as usual, the Kid Blogger Network did not leave me wanting! Here are some of my favorites:

super simple: Star Wands from Our Arts 'n' Things

A little fancy: Patriotic Spirit Wands from Buggy and Buddy

Great for itty bitties: Fireworks in a Bottle from No Twiddle Twaddle

Want more crafty holiday goodness? There are over 30 ideas, all from KBN bloggers here on my pinboard: 4th of July with the Kid Blogger Network

Be blessed, and be safe!

Heather

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July!

Free printable available at Landee See, Landee Do

Oh say, can you see?

Hi friends!

My sweet friend, Kate, is here to share a story with you today. Enjoy!

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Two Julys ago, shortly after we moved to rural Alabama (#thingsIneverthoughtI’dsay) we took our daughter Madeline to see the fireworks.  She was two years old at the time.

Madeline is special for a lot of reasons, but one of them is that she was born blind.

We found out when she was four months old.

(Our story starts here, and continues here and here .)

Since we received Madeline’s diagnosis in 2008, we’ve been waiting for the day that she can tell us what she can see.  Light? Shadows? Shapes? Colors? Big things? Bright things? Close things?

These were questions that only Madeline could answer.  You would think that with all the advances in modern medicine that there would be some kind of test to run – but there isn’t.  The only way to know what the world looks like to Madeline is to ask her.

(I now know that this is the case for every child.  Vision loss simply served to make it very prominent and literal for us.  One of the lessons we’ve learned through this adventure is: ask your children how they see the world – then listen to them.)

On the Fourth of July, 2010, we took a very chatty, verbal (read: never shuts up!) two-year-old Madeline to see the fireworks.  We underestimated traffic in the most serious way and ended up watching from the side of a highway, next to some fellow Alabamians who were coolin’ it in the bed of their pickup truck on the exit ramp.  We keep it classy down here, folks.

We shot a video that has become one of my family favorites (that’s saying a lot, because it’s hard to beat the face my cat made when he hung himself in our living room curtains).  In this little 2 minute video, Madeline tells us about fireworks in her own words.  PRE-CIOUS.

Take a look:

My favorite part is when she says they’re going off and on, like clapping.  She had no experience with lights going off and on, or TVs going off and on, but she understood sound.  When you clap, there is a sound – then it’s gone –a sound – then it’s gone – a sound – then it’s gone.   Just like fireworks.  Watching her mind work; it’s amazing.

Wishing you all a magical 4^th!
much love,
Kate

(For any of you know kids with special needs: fireworks are a great multi-sensory experience!  You can hear them, smell them, feel them, and see them!  There is super high-contrast (bright lights in the pitch-black sky) - so even people with low vision can enjoy them in a lot of ways.  If your child has sensory issues, don’t forget the earplugs!)

Kate Elizabeth Conner is a writer, speaker, and first generation southerner who spends her days learning braille, counseling teenagers via text message, and adjusting to life in rural Alabama. Kate writes at http://kateelizabethconner.com/ about surviving parenthood, teenagers, and her twenties with her faith and sense of humor intact. She believes in music and coffee and prose–and in all the world, nothing has taken hold of her like Christ.

Red, White & Blue {on a Budget!}

Hello friends!

My friend, Samantha, is here today to share her ideas for having a great 4th of July on a budget!

Enjoy!

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One of my absolute favorite holidays has to be the Fourth of July. Our summer is filled with parades and fireworks displays and Independence Day is the pinnacle! Over the years, I've learned some tips and tricks to keep the festivities huge while keeping the dent in your wallet small.

1. Start the day with a {nutritional} bang! 

Who doesn't love a delicious & festive breakfast? My favorite tradition is to make whole wheat pancakes, top them with blueberries and cut strawberries (both favorites in this house) with a few dollops of whipped cream. The perfect oomph to give you the energy to enjoy all those celebrations!

2. Dollar stores and Target's Dollar Spot are treasure troves.

Inevitably, as we hit the evening hours, the boys catch sight of all the beautiful glowing sticks, bracelets, and fancy whirling lights. We hem and haw over the outrageous price tag as vendors walk by. In the weeks leading up to the Fourth, I head out to my local dollar store and Target's Dollar Spot to spy items that my boys will love, keep them occupied and keep us from going broke! This year, I've picked up a few small packages of flags, 2 glow stick flags, 4 packages of glow necklaces (my niece and nephews occasionally join us) and some festive dessert cupcake liners and toppers - all for around $5. It pays to plan!

3.  Pack snacks and drinks!

When waiting around for the fireworks, the time seems to go by so slowly and we always seem to get an extra burst of hunger. Instead of opting for the overpriced park fare, we bring our own bags of fruit, crackers, bottles of water, and the candy from our local parade satisfies our sweet tooth.

4. Prepare for anything!

Bug spray, sunscreen, sweatshirts (yes, one year it was FREEZING), blankets, chairs, strollers, and all the regular child essentials. Whether you are headed to a friend's house or out for the day to a festival, you never want to be stuck without what you may need!

5. Coordinate your wardrobe (using what you already have!)

In the past, I've been a sucker for complete red, white, and blue (usually matching) outfits. I'd snag the Old Navy shirts for $5 and call it a day.  But inevitably, the boys would grow out of them, the year would no longer be relevant and I'd find myself wasting money. Now, I dress our family up for the day based on what we already have in our closet (blue) jean shorts for the boys and white/blue/red shirts for the boys with what we already own. It's usually cheaper (and reusable!) throughout the year.

6. Save a little, so you can splurge occasionally!

Who doesn't love enjoying ice cream while watching fireworks light up the night sky? Save money throughout your day to enjoy some ice cream as a family later. 

The most important thing to remember is that memories are made as a family, not necessarily with your pocketbook. I have fond memories of these same activities with my parents and am thrilled to now share that with my boys.

Happy Independence Day!

I'm an almost thirty-something mom of two little fellas that married my high school sweetheart. I love the following in this order: God, family, friends, coffee, iPhone, chocolate. I'm not afraid to try new things unless it involves exercising. I hope to one day live on a beach with feet in the sand every day. For now, I blog over at The Peanuts Gang and consider myself a lady of all trades.