independence day

photo from www.cusd97.fulton.k12.il.us
It's been cool and a very different experience introducing the kids to American holidays. We've gone to the AK Chinese Association events like the Dragon Festival recently (which, in AK, is nothing like it was in Taiwan), and as with all bicultural "tries," it takes work. It reminds me of being raised by a Swedish mother in the U.S...we all love the colors blue and yellow (colors of the Swedish flag) and Swedish Christmas decorations, but our connection to the country is tenuous at best.

I was so bogged down during the winter holidays that I just couldn't write about our experience with Thanksgiving and Christmas.



But July 4th....one of my very favorites! My dad is an American history lover and passed on that love to me. I hope for them to feel a gratitude for our country, the miracle that it exists, the founders who sacrificed, the God who oversaw its creation.



Begin with food! baked oatmeal with vanilla yogurt and berries...a hit (candles and singing happy birthday helped)



We found some great picture books that introduce Independence Day:



and one on George Washington that includes God's hand in the work of this country:



We made a flag cake for the BBQ planned for later in the day. They loved helping with that.





went to a BBQ...it was blustery and cloudy, but kites were a hit!





For future years, this is another favorite with individual bios on the signers of the Declaration with beautiful woodcut illustrations.