Sunday, July 15, 2012

4th of July

Living in Utah County has its political quirks, to be sure, many of which are a bit foreign to my California upbringing. But all that conservative energy has to go somewhere, and for the first week in July, it does my heart good to be surrounded by all the flag-waving and celebration. The last year or so, the kids have been old enough to participate in some of the activities that go beyond watching fireworks and eating watermelon.


Poor Granny gets dragged along every year to one of my Fourth of July outings. I gotta remember she's 90 years old and it's hot out! At least this park had lots of shady trees to sit under. She's such a good sport.After the park, we took her out to lunch and then came back to our house for a Pepsi and a new puzzle. We played an American history documentary in the background and had a great afternoon together.


This year we went to a colonial village reenactment in one of Orem's city parks. We saw colonial trades (basket weaving, cabinet making, baking bread, a colonial school, and candle maker. The kids got to try colonial chores--hauling water and making rope. 



We also walked through a "Constitution Hall" with carnival-style games to teach the basic concepts from the Preamble. Lorianne, you'll be happy to know that "Schoolhouse Rock" served me well and I knew all the right answers to their quiz. Everybody, sing with me! "We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution..."



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