Happy 4th of July!

Over the years we have celebrated July 4th in different ways. When I was a kid, we would mostly get black cats firecracker and have fun setting them off along with sparkle balls, smoke balls, sparklers and snakes. We would run down to the firecracker stand down on the corner, scraping up any loose change we could find.  We would also go out in our yard and hopefully see night time fireworks. The day after we would ride around on our bikes looking for firecrackers that didn't get set off.  I remember once when I was maybe 12 or 13 we parked and watch the fireworks that Worlds of Fun was shooting off. For a few years we would go to Fort Leavenworth and watch their fireworks display. After that we spent many 4ths down at the Lake of the Ozarks. I would have my kids do a parade around the lake house me pulling one of them in the wagon and the others carrying little flags. When Kaitlyn was in the youth group at church we would have hot dogs and snacks and people would make a donation to the youth group and shoot off fireworks in the parking lot. The youth and their parents would clean it up at midnight.  That ended about 4 years ago. This year on the 4th of July, we are working at a fireworks stand, the money raised will be split between the youth group and our church food pantry. We shot off some fireworks last night and when we get done will shoot off the rest. Saturday we're going to have our 4th of July dinner.  

This is the 3rd bunting/banner I've made. I think I finally got it right. I bought 1/2 yard of each of  tablecloth material at JoAnn's. The previous ones I made I used regular cotton fabric, they faded by the end of summer and looked awful. I'm hoping this one works out better.

I love the 4th of July and red white and blue!   I made some patriotic prim stuff for a summer swap and I'll be posting those pictures soon.