Independence Day

We have been so blessed with many freedoms and opportunities living in this great country. We got to celebrate a bit this year, but not in the usual ways. Growing up we would usually get to see fireworks or go to a parade, or be in a parade, and we watched musicals with patriotic songs like Yankee Doodle Dandy, which is the story of George M. Cohan, or Stars and Stripes Forever, which is the story of John Philip Sousa. We would listen to patriotic music, and have a glow stick for watching fireworks. They were fun family times to celebrate America. This year, things were a bit different. In Juneau, the fireworks display takes place downtown, at midnight on the 3rd of July. That's when its dark enough for fireworks. We went downtown and had dinner at a pizza place with the Daltons, but then headed back home way before the fireworks, so we could get some sleep for our little one. She wore her WHITE dress with BLUE and RED stars that day, and sometimes wore similar ribbons on her wrists:

The evening of the 4th, we got out a glow stick and tied ribbon to it, so she could have her own little light. At first she was a bit skeptical:

But she warmed up to it, and loved carrying it around with her, putting it on, and taking it off.
We also listened to some John Philip Sousa marches. My mom sent some great march music last year, and this year as we were cleaning, we turned on the marches, and found it made things go way fast when you have strong upbeat music. Elise dances to music, and when I turned on the marches she started swaying with the music. I started marching and showed her how to do it, and she just loved it. She moved her little feet so fast, not at all in time with the music, but to her own rhythm, and now with music she not only will sway and bounce, but she usually starts marching too! What a wonderful holiday to celebrate, and a great time to remember the blessings that come with living in the United States of America, and to remember those who made and make it all possible. Thank you!