Make It A Family 4th

On the 4th day of July in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, starting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country. In July 1776, the number of people living in the colonies was about 2 1/2 million.In July 2007, the population of the U.S. is almost 300 million. The 30,000 or so in this area of Oklahoma Green Country do our part to commemorate our forefather's sacrifice. With Ice Chests, Black Cats and softball games, we do our part.



Mel and I talk a great deal about traditions. We talk about traditions and how important they are in a family. Traditions and rituals of our personal family group that help children know who they are and where they came from. A tradition is a memory of times past, but if it is a good one, it should also be a future anticipation of times to come.



We are all getting ready for The 4th of July. It is truly a holiday celebrated by all Americans. Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Cinco De Mayo? These days are separated by our race or our religion. The 4th is a party all of us can sink their teeth into!



I have celebrated the 4th of July at the same place and in the same way since I was 8 years old. My children spent their first Independence Day and this upcoming one doing the same thing. Our holiday involves a parade, (where there are no spectators because everyone is in it); Uncle Sam leading everyone with a snare drum; theme based costumes, (this year's Oklahoma Centennial was a no-brainer, Sooners and Boomers with some dust bowl Okies thrown in and random Will Rogers and Bud Wilkinson impersonators); a 1 set only tennis tournament with no add and bonus points for crowd appeal and razzle-dazzle; a firework display after huge amounts of hamburgers and hot dogs; and a Ghost Hunt hosted by whoever can be roped into it this year. Children go off with their Dad's into the dark night with a guide spinning this year's tale of hermits in the woods, sea creatures in the river or aliens laying their pods in the bamboo thicket. Small children's screams can be heard all-over the grounds as college- agers jump out of somewhere in some sort of awful get-up.



We love the way we celebrate our 4th. You love the way you celebrate yours. If you are scratching your head and can't exactly identify a specific 4th of July tradition, now's a great time to start. Go to the Dollar Store and buy some American flags and other red white and blue decorations. Call the family or invite neighbors to your party. Ask them to each bring a covered dish and you'll cook the hamburgers. Set up a Badminton Net. Have silly prizes for the winners. Croquet is also fun and the competitors in your group woll surface very quickly!!



If you're at the lake, how about a fishing tournament with a time limit. A Swim Meet with silly relays and races. A No Talent talent show is hysterical. Drag the old ice cream freezer out and make homemade ice cream. Or just buy ice cream and make sundaes with all kinds of toppings. Let the kids decorate bikes and wagons with crepe paper and have a neighborhood parade. Here's a simple one. Just invite friends and family for a Watermelon Feed and all shoot fireworks together.



Life is passing by. Grab moments now and start making memories. If we don't, our children will be making those memories without us.

Have a Yankee Doodle Dandy

4th of July

Everyone!

Melony and Chrissie