Homeschool Connection: Country Life on Independence Day

A few weeks ago we moved to the country setting. We're learning so much here in the country and reached out to other county living folks that also homeschool. So, today we're excited to share Robin's story. However, she's not a homeschool Mom, but wished that she had been. We can still learn a lot from Robin, as she's a school teacher that has worked hard to get to the position she's in today.

July 4^th, Independence Day, a day that is important to the history of our nation. How do you celebrate? I live in rural PA and we have some pretty awesome 4^th of July celebrations.

I live out in the country and enjoy it a great deal. If we lived in a city we couldn’t have the type of celebration we have every year. It is so great to be with friends and family. Enjoy wonderful food and conversation and then take in some spectacular fireworks.

Every year we decorate the place for the July 4th holiday. We put flags everywhere. We use red, white, and blue tablecloths. We have other July 4th decorations we hang.

We start the event off with prayer, blessing the food, those that prepared it and asking for safety for the evening’s festivities.

There are always lots of different kinds of homemade food and lots of great conversation. Everyone brings their favorite dish and we have a huge buffet. Everything is always delicious.

I usually make something patriotic. Jello, cake, cookies or sometimes fruit kabobs Last year I made a truffle that included cool whip, blue berries, strawberries and pound cake cut in star shapes. It was a hit and so easy to do.

Other years I have used blueberry and strawberry jello cut into squares and layered it with cool whip and what cake to make a truffle. I also usually make banana pudding. It is a family favorite.

We have sparklers for the kids and last year the older teens played volleyball.

We usually have some kind of glow in the dark bracelets or glowsticks for everyone.

The most special thing about our Independence Day celebrations are the guests that attend. It started with about 20 extended family members but every year it seems to grow. Last year we had about 60 people.

Then around 9:00 we all walk together over to a hill on the family farm my dad used to own with our lawn chairs to watch the fireworks. It is about a half hour walk and good exercise after stuffing ourselves with food.

Our neighbor puts on a spectacular fireworks show, Pinchot Thunder. He has been doing this for several years. He puts off over $10,000 worth of fireworks free of charge for anyone and everyone to enjoy. The pictures below shows the amount of fireworks used last year.

This video shows the fireworks finale.

The fireworks show usually lasts about a half hour and is most enjoyable.

Then we walk back, everyone pitches in to clean up and we call it a night.

Neighbors and friends getting together on the porch and deck, enjoying a meal together, surrounded by trees and nature, It doesn’t get much better than that! It is one of the many reasons I enjoy country living.

Here’s to our nation’s independence and country life!

How do you celebrate the 4^th of July?