Yes, I'm so excited for Independence Day! Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays! The warm summer evening, the fireflies, the fireworks. But my favorite part is the way people come together. Complete strangers spread out on blankets and chairs and different ingenious little ways to camp out. They laugh and talk together, share food and drinks and sparklers and whatever else they may have. There's a general feeling of strong community you don't see anywhere else. People are rushing to work and activities, they aren't caught up in electronics and media and social differences, they don't live in their own little worlds. They emerge from them for a least a short time and just care about their fellow neighbor. That's what makes Fourth of July one of my most favorite holidays!

I'm actually going out of town this year. We're going vacation, so I'll be spending it away from home. But I'm still excited! We'll probably drive out to see the area's local fireworks display too. My family often sets off things of our own, like Chinese firecrackers and bottle rockets, and of course we always do sparklers! And every Independence Day we get pound cake, whip cream, strawberries, and blueberries, and design a US flag out of it! 

And of course I always deck out in red, white, and blue! I recently bought a new skirt for it, red with white stars, and a new white t-shirt that has a red, white and blue heart with Tinkerbell on it that says, "The Original Sparkler". (I love that shirt!) I also sometimes even streak my hair red and blue!

So yeah, I'm excited!

Cool! Wow, you really do celebrate!

Unfortunately, the Fourth of July is going to be a really hard day for me. My super close friend - who I've known for nearly ten years - is moving all the way to Minnesota on the fourth, and I'll be helping her pack and stuff before she leaves. I don't know what I'm going to do when she's gone. We've been through everything together.

I absolutely hate complaining, but I'm counting this as an exception. The whole situation just really sucks. Sorry for the dramatically choppy sentences. *sigh* But I hope you guys have a good holiday. 

It is sad when friends move away. However, you can keep in touch and maybe visit sometime, and always remember the good times you've had together.  New friends can be special, too.

Admin

l'm going to a rodeo for July 4.

Has anyone else been to a rodeo? 

I love the Fourth of July! Usually, my extended family comes to my family's house a few days before the Fourth of July to just hang out before the big day. My cousins and I sleep out in our yard in a tent because there isn't enough room in our house for everyone. During the days leading up to the Fourth, my family goes on hikes, has campfires and goes to a few of the festivals around town. On the morning of the Fourth of July, we all get up really early and head to the community park for a 5K race or walk. Most of my family participates in the race in some way. After that, we head to the heart of my town for the parade. My town's parades are always so amazing! They say that my town has the best and longest parade in my area. After that, we head back to the community park for a community picnic. There are multiple vendors all selling local food that you don't usually see around the rest of America. There are bouncy houses, pony rides and games for the kids. After eating, we wait around for fireworks and eat kettle corn! Then we come home and set off our own fireworks and have sparklers. It's always a cool day for me because my community all gathers as one to celebrate what this country is about! 

Unfortunately, this year, our plans have slightly changed. I'm not going to be celebrating the Fourth much -  or at least how we normally do. I'm out of town on the Fourth because my family has a wedding to go to. Weddings are always fun occasions for me, so I don't mind too much, but it is just going to be different. I don't know if I'll be able to see any fireworks or anything like that. 

I love the Fourth of July, it's one of my favorite holidays. This year I'm running a 5k the same day and then I'm going to my great-aunt and great-uncle's because it is my great-uncle's birthday. And every year my family also goes to this lake near our house to watch the fireworks at night. It's really pretty because they all reflect off the water and the stars do too, oh it's amazing. And happy CBaversiray Ellie!

It's going to be a very special Starbucks Saturday with my friends... :) 

We're researching espionage in the Revolutionary War! IT's... *eyes go glassy* fascinating...

Shifting: *summons syringe in Somebody's arm*

Somebody: *snaps out of it* Thanks, I needed that.