Celebrating Independence Day

As I look back on how we've celebrated Independence Day throughout the years, I found that it changes as Sophia and Olivia get older.

When they were younger, they enjoyed dressing up and participating in the children's parade.

Olivia in 2009. She was 6 years old.

Sophia in 2007. She was 6 years old.

The girls had an opportunity to ride horses in a Fourth of July parade in 2010. They were 7 and 9 years old.

Olivia in 2010

Sophia in 2010

Throughout the years, the girls and I made decorations for the holiday.

Window stars that I made in 2009.

Sophia made a Fourth of July centerpiece with origami cranes.

Sophia making a centerpiece in 2011.

I also made red, white, and blue buntings to decorate for the holiday.

Buntings in holiday colors. (Made in 2011.)

What never gets old for the girls is collecting candy and treats at the Fourth of July parade. People on the floats and people who are walking in the parade toss out candy to the children. Last year, the girls decorated some brown lunch bags with red, white, and blue paper.

Candy collecting bags for 2011.

At the parade, the children and crouched and ready to spring to action to collect candy. Olivia and Sophia are to the right of the picture...ready to fill their decorated bags with candy.

The girls ready to collect candy that is thrown in the streets

by parade participants.

These simple memories - costumes, crafting, and going to the parade and collecting candy - are some of the things that we recall and talk about each year when the holiday arrives.