What's red, white, and blue, easier-than-easy to make, and looks and tastes great? Here's a hint:
I like to give credit where credit is due, but in this case, unfortunately I can't. I saw the idea for these patriotic fruit and marshmallow kabobs...
And while we're on the subject of celebrating the Fourth, here are a few quick book recommendations, ones that the boys and I have enjoyed recently because of the mix of history and story:
~ Happy Birthday, America - Mary Pope Osborne (one of the reviews on the back cover of this book says "A surprisingly emotional story," and that's so true; although there's nothing terribly dramatic in it, I can't get through it without a big lump in my throat, at the very least...and at the very most, literal tears rolling down my face)
~ The Scarlet Stockings Spy - Trinka Hakes Noble (the main character's brother dies while fighting in General Washington's army...emotional? yes!...my tender-hearted Josiah, after reading it once, said in a choked voice, "I don't think I want to read it again because it's too sad")
~ Almost to Freedom - Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (about the Underground Railroad...told from the perspective of a doll...I didn't cry in this one!) :)
~ New York's Bravest - Mary Pope Osborne (about New York firefighters...who can say "New York firefighters" and "September 11" in one sentence without getting a little catch in the voice?..well, don't answer that, because probably a lot of less-emotional people can...but this book, too, gets me a little bit, even though it's about a New York firefighter folk hero from way back when and not specifically about September 11)
A little eating, a little reading, a little crying...what else does a good Independence Day need? Whatever that may be--parades, fireworks, picnics with people you love, and more--may you find that today!
Hooray for the red, white, and blue!!!
Yum! This looks great!
ReplyDeletehappy 4th to you & your sweet boys, friend!! and send me one of those kabobs, pleaseandthankyou?? ;)
ReplyDeleteYour Josiah must be like our wee guy. He has that reaction to sad stories too :(
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos - with I'd had these before today and I'd have made some.
Happy Independence day to you all (even though *we* are the ones you left :( ...!
I love the symbolism in the new header. And yes, I cried when I read your analogy to the army boots. I also cried at our little neighborhood parade this morning, for no other reason than there was a fire truck rolling by festooned in flags and smiling firefighters. And the sky was blue and there were puffy clouds and my kids and husband were in front of me...
ReplyDeleteI am also 100% certain all of these books you've suggested would WRECK me. My latest tear-inducer is a sweet book titled John Philip Duck (named after Sousa) by Patricia Polacco. A little boy who works at an Atlanta hotel during the Depression finds a duckling, raises it, and teaches it to march to Sousa tunes! I was fine until the end, which shows the boy as an old man, still drawing flocks of ducks by playing his Sousa marches. I could not finish I was so choked up, and the kids were thoroughly perplexed.
That was me! I guess I accidentally hit "Anonymous".
ReplyDeletePatti - I knew it was you. You're definitely my kindred spirit, in regards to getting emotional from children's books. I OFTEN think of you when I find myself getting choked up. ;-)
ReplyDelete