Fourth of July Table Decorations Patriotic Parties

A fourth of July table decoration is a wonderful idea for any of us who are wishing to celebrate our patriotic side and add a splash of color to a small table I have ideas for bigger table decorations and I offer all of this to my patriotic country women and men all around the united States.

Small Red, white and blue tabletop decoration for Fourth of July parties

Small table:

Carination, red, white, and blue, two of each

Clear marbles

A tall vase

Small American flags

Two Tablecloths, blue and white

Patriotic confetti

Small dish of starlight mints.

Lay the white tablecloth on the small table, as you normally would do, and then lay the smaller blue tablecloth on top at an angle so you can see the white one underneath. Place the marbles into the tall vase, fill with water, and place the six flowers into the water. Add an American flag to the vase along with the flowers. Sprinkle some of the patriotic confetti around the table, so that they are separated. Add your small dish of starlight mints to the table to provide your guests with a delight for the eyes as well as their stomachs.

Get the flowers at your local flowers, your flower garden or a grocery store, and the rest of the items can be found in tour local Wal-Mart's craft section, this is an easy Fourth of July tablescape for a small table.

Medium size 

This is a table where your guests can sit and eat their food after they have made their plates at a different location.

Medium size table

Tablecloths (one each of blue and white)

Patriotic confetti

A silver beverage bucket (your choice flowers or beverages and ice)

One wide patriotic ribbon

Four cloth red napkins

Four settings of silverware

Four chairs

Lay the tablecloths on the table first the white one, and then lay the blue one on top at an angle so that the white one shows. Place the large bucket on the table, you can fill it with ice, and some assorted beverages or red, white, and blue flowers. Wrap a set of silverware in the red cloth napkin and place it on the table next to where your guests will place their plates. Add four chairs and you are set to have a medium size table that is patriotic and functional.

All of these items can be found at your local Wal-Mart or other local department store.

Large size tabletop decoration  for your red, white, and blue Fourth of July parties

This is perfect for food tables and this is for a large table about the size of what you would find in community halls or volunteer fire companies around the United States.

One Large community table

Two white tablecloths

One blue tablecloth

Three large silver buckets

Three patriotic ribbons

Plastic Silverware

Red Napkins

Red Paper plates

On the table place the white tablecloths end to end, and the blue one lies on top of the white ones, so that the white tablecloth shows on both ends. At one, end of the table place a bucket, this has a patriotic ribbon around it, and put your plates and napkins in it. Place another bucket wrapped with the patriotic ribbon next to it and place cups and napkins in there. The other bucket wrapped with a ribbon will hold your hot dog and hamburger buns, which remain in their wrappers. Set the food on the table, and starting with the buckets near the silverware, add dishes of salads, meats then your bucket of rolls, finishing up with the deserts.

Tiny size tabletop decoration 

Why do you need a tiny table set up for a big Fourth of July party? Simply to draw the bees and other pests away from your guests is always a good reason for a tiny table away from other stuff.

A small white tablecloth

Two Mayonnaise jars (or similar size jars)

Two Patriotic ribbons to tie around the jars

Queen Anne's lace (wild weed some people call a flower)

Few drops of red and blue food coloring

2 cups of water

½ cup of sugar

Place the tablecloth on a small table away from your food table. Tie the ribbons around your mayo jars and add a cup of water and 1/4 cup of sugar to each jar. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one jar and a few drops of blue food coloring to the other one and pop a Queen Anne's lace into the colored water. Do not make this table to fancy as it only purpose is to draw the bees away from your guests and food tables. The sugar water draws the bees, which fall into the water and cannot get out. The food coloring in the water will travel up the stems of the Queen Anne's lace flowers and will color them either red or blue, which adds a splash of color to your table. The Queen Anne's lace flowers are very pretty especially when colored but most people myself included dislike the scent of these flowers.

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Decorating Ideas July 4 Patriotic Pride

If you are a freedom loving, flag waving, patriotic American who loves Fourth of July, then have I got some ideas to help you celebrate this year in some unique ways! You will see many ideas to go red, white, and blue on our beloved America's birthday.

Awesome Growing flag

If you have a lawn that has a slight hill near the road, why not show your patriotic pride and grow a flag on that hill? Of course, your flag will have bits of green in among the colors but hey, it is wonderful to see nonetheless. Creeping Phlox comes in your choice of red, blue, and white so grab enough to plant as soon as possible in a flag formation. Plant three alternating rows of first red closest to the road and then white creeping phlox flowers, which are each about 7 foot long if possible.

Then we will be planting a row of red, white, red in a five-foot long rows, but at the end of these three rows, plant blue creeping phlox then a white one for the last 2 feet of those top three rows. Water often and spray with miracle grow and by the time Fourth of July rolls around, you will have your own colorful flag in your yard.

Decorate the trees

Who says that Christmas lights are only for Christmas time? If you use the red, white, and blue strands only, you can decorate the trees in your yard this is very festive for July 4 and it is unique. These red, white, and blue lights would look great on evergreen trees or shrubs.

Ring around the flagpole

Plant a low growing red plant in the outer circle around the base of your flagpole, and then plant a medium size white flower near the base, reserving the area right next to the flagpole for blue morning glories, which will climb the pole. Do not worry you can somewhat control the growth of the morning glories so they do not climb too far and interfere with old Glory flying proudly atop the flagpole.

Patriotic Flower boxes

Again, carry the theme of the patriotic colors of red white and blue into your flower boxes. These look awesome if you get smaller plants of red and blue and get a trailing plant of white to grown in the flower box but trail downward.

Hanging Flowerpots

These always look great on a porch and if you add red, white, and blue flowers in them, they make a great decoration for July 4. Truthfully, you can hang a pot of flowers from a low tree branch using a piece of rope and add a splash of patriotic color to non-flowering tree.

A patriotic Tree

Hang a spinner from a low branch on a tree to make it a festive yet patriotic tree. My mom loves those spinners, which have become popular in the last few years; they are a single piece of plastic that twills in the breeze. She has about thirty patriotic spinners hang from a small apple tree in the front yard.

Mom got them on clearance at Wal-Mart last year, and when they are spinning, it really looks very cool. If you cannot find the ones, which have, the stars and stripes on them just select red, white, and blue ones and hang them on your own trees.

Another Patriotic Tree

Get some wide ribbon from your local Wal-Mart or craft store and wrap it around the trees for a patriotic look. If you cannot find the Americana or patriotic types, then select some each of red, white, and blue and make bows around different trees. You can also wrap porch supports with red, white, and blue.

Make several Flags

Flags look great any time of year, and it is never a wrong time to show your American pride or patriotic colors. So paint the doghouse with a flag on the side, rover will love his newly decorated home; do paint the birdhouses around the yard red, white, and blue.

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Fourth of July Trivia for Your Party

Fourth of July Trivia is not only fun it can be educational as well, and with the interesting facts here, you can have fun at your special Fourth of July party. The answers will follow the trivia directly in italics, so you can print off this page for your Fourth of July party and let the fun begin.

We have all heard about the Liberty Bell during our early school years as children growing up within America.

1. The Liberty Bell is a huge part of early American History, as we all know. Was there only one Liberty Bell cast?

2. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom here within America but when was it last rang?

3. Our National Anthem is The Star Spangled Banner" as well all know but who wrote it?

4. We all know that the Fourth of July is also called Independence Day, but why is it celebrated as the most important American holiday of the year?

5. Which American President also celebrated his birthday on the Fourth of July?

6. Three American Presidents died on the Fourth of July who were these great men.

7. When did the Fourth of July become a legal holiday?

There is no grading, nor scoring and your reward is a job well done or perhaps a little education!

Questions and answers for the Fourth of July trivia

The Liberty Bell is a huge part of early American History, as we all know. Was there only one Liberty Bell cast?

According to historical facts the first two versions of the Liberty Bell were defective and were melted back down and recast.

The Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom here within America but when was it last rang?

The third Liberty Bell rang on every Fourth of July from 1778 until it cracked in 1835 it has since remained quiet.

Our National Anthem is The Star Spangled Banner" as well all know but who wrote it?

Frances Scott Key wrote this beloved song and it was set to an English drinking song titled "To Anacreon in Heaven".

We all know that the Fourth of July is also called Independence Day, but why is it celebrated as the most important American holiday of the year?

This was the day that the declaration of Independence was singed in Philadelphia Pennsylvania back in 1776. It is also America's birth date, and one, which is celebrated by fireworks, parades, picnics and of course by flying the flag,

Which American President also celebrated his birthday on the Fourth of July?

Calvin Coolidge the 30^th president was born July, 4, 1872 in Plymouth Vermont, so he was born onAmerica's birthday.

Three American Presidents died on the Fourth of July who were these great men.

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe

When did the Fourth of July become a legal holiday?

The fourth of July became a holiday in 1941, before that it was just observed as a national holiday.

Happy Birthday America, and I wish all those celebrating her birthday within her beautiful borders has a happy, safe, and healthy Fourth of July.

Sources:

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/lists/?article=fourthofjuly

www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence_Day.shtml

http://www.internetfamilyfun.com/holidays/fourthofjuly/4thjulyfacts.htm

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Memorial Day Trivia

Memorial Day trivia for everyone, there is no prize to be won here, but perhaps you will learn something and that is our reward. The answers to these trivia questions follow the questions.

1. What was the first state, which officially celebrated Memorial Day?

2. Originally, Memorial Day was first known as what, the hint is the day begins with the letter d.

3. Why do we celebrate Memorial Day?

4. Who is General John Alexander Logan and what role does his memory play in our Memorial Day 

celebrations?

5. On this special day of remembrance, should the American Flag be half raised all-day or fly in all her glory at full mast?

6. What is the nationally recognized flower of Memorial Day?

7. What day of the week is Memorial Day held on?

Memorial day is not all about the heralding of warm summer months as most people believe but a day of remembrance to honor those who gave their lives so that all Americans could enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit if happiness.

Most Americans will spend this day, with family and friends in the afternoon having the first picnics of the season, and enjoying the warm weather. In the morning, most of us will go to the graves of our grandparents and lay flowers while offering a prayer.

My Grandfather Elliott Timm served in Germany during the war, and I will visit his grave to lay flowers there, but I will also lay flowers Grandma Doris Timm's grave as well which in next to grandpa's. I could not imagine honoring only my grandfather on this special day and ignoring grandma's.

Here are the answers to the trivia questions for this special Memorial Day learning activity.

1. New York was the first state, which officially celebrated Memorial Day in 1968, making it the birthplace of this holiday.

2. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and it celebrated the memory of those soldiers who had died serving the country during the civil war. Southern states rejected to celebrate those fallen soldiers on Memorial Day until after WWI when the meaning of Memorial Day changed from honoring to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war either at home or aboard.

3. Memorial Day is a day of commemoration of those who have died fighting for the freedom of every American.

4. General John Alexander Logan declared that Memorial Day is to be observed by decorating the gravestones of soldiers who died while fighting for our freedom. He was a man of passion who believed that no one should be forgotten for the scarf ices they gave so that all of us could enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy.

5. On Memorial Day Old Glory should be at flown at half-mast until noon, then she should be raised to the fly at full mast.

6. Red Poppies are recognized as the Memorial Day flower these littler red flowers were first worn back in 1915 to honor fallen soldiers. When you see the folks from the VFW selling the red poppies out side of your local stores, purchase one and wear it proudly for those who died giving us our freedom.

7. This holiday is always celebrated on the last Monday of the month of May and has been this way since 1971 when the National Holiday Act of 1971changed it from May 30 to the last Monday.

Sources include:

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day

www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nyseneca/memorial.htm

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Memorial Day Party-- Organize your own

Are you hosting a Memorial Day party this year or will you just be sitting back and enjoying it with family and friends? I have a few ideas to share with you about how to have a safe yet fun Memorial Day party this year with everyone you love.

I have a huge family and we do have holiday parties for all of us, and let me tell you we are a huge family. Four generations of the Timm family will be gathering at my parents' home in Athens, Pennsylvania to celebrate and have a Memorial Day party. Let me tell you organizing something for this huge family at times is a monumental task, but with everyone doing their part it all seems to work out somehow.

Sister Carmon is organizing the food for the Memorial Day party this year; she keeps a list of who is coming and what they are bringing. Family will supply the main food, and friends of the family will bring in the condiments, paper plates, cups, and silverware.

Sisters Lori and Diane are organizing the games for the younger children as they tend to have the most grandchildren of all of us at this Memorial Day party. There are prizes won in these games, my sisters will purchase the stuffed animal prizes, and we will all chip in for the prizes. Games will include tossing a ball, running and a variation of an Easter egg hunt for the toddlers to 6 year olds.

Sister Kim and her boyfriend Bob are organizing the Memorial Day party games for the kids from 6 year old and up. These games include volleyball, redneck horseshoes, and an obstacle course. An older person helps the younger ones, so it is a team effort and the kids tend to have a ball.

There will no doubt be a live band at our Memorial Day party, as brother Trace, and brother in law Willy have a band and will use this as a practice session. After dark, we will gather around a bonfire, if the burning ban has lifted and sing around the bonfire.

I will be creating the Memorial Day party invitations on my computer and Ray will help me hand them out 3 weeks before the party to may family. I will give each family member a few extra invitations so that they can invite a few friends. This years invitations include a mention of the new family members we have gotten since the last summer, which is four little boys.

I also include updates to the family tree during this time, as it is important to remember where we all came from at this Memorial Day party. As our family grows rapidly, each year it is harder to keep everyone in touch and by adding this family tree update, it is easier. Mom and dad help me to organize this family tree and they include little stories about our ancestors, which are fun to read.

This year marks the first time that all the family will be at a Memorial Day party, as my youngest brother and his rather large family of nine just moved back to Athens. The family has decided to let these people sit back and enjoy the Memorial Day party, but next year they too will be in the planning of this fun family celebration.

There will be no alcohol at this Memorial Day party as it is a family day, where we all gather to have fun the old-fashioned way. There will however be plenty of laughter, water balloon races, food and music with family and friends and that is what a Memorial Day party should be.

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Remembering Those who Died Memorial Day

Remembering loved ones who have passed on is a great thing to do on Memorial Day, yet some people find them selves doing the same things year after year. There are alternatives to placing flowers on gravestones, yet many people do this simply because it is tradition.

This year as you are remembering loved ones who have passed start a new tradition in that person's memory. On Memorial Day instead of adding flowers to the gravestone, plant a flower garden on your property in memory of that person. Plant that person's favorite flowers and this way as you take care of the flower garden you will be reminded of that person.

Memorial Day is the perfect time to plant a tree or shrub as you are remembering loved ones who have passed, as the frost is out of the ground in 99 percent of the United States. What a better way to show you love someone then by planting a tree in their name, you can look at the tree and always remember why you planted it.

If you are remembering loved ones who have passed and were members of a volunteer fire company or quilting club why not make Memorial Day donation in their name. This not only helps an organization that that person enjoyed, it also helps your community and lasts a lot longer then cut flowers.

If you are remembering loved ones who have passed and enjoyed books, donate one that you know they would enjoy to the local library in their name, or better yet sit down and share a children's book at story hour that reminds you of that person on Memorial Day.

At your Memorial Day party start by remembering loved ones who have passed, share funny stories about them. Tell the younger generation about interesting things. There is no better way to keep the memories alive then by passing those memories onto the younger generation.

You could also share a time of special remembering loved ones who have passed with the traditional foods you serve at your Memorial Day party. There is always a pot of Uncle Bill's beans on the table, and a cake from scratch as my Grandma Wright would have made. There are always barbecue ribs, as my Grandpa Timm loved; we even use his special family recipe.

I hope that I have given you the inspiration to begin a new Memorial Day tradition of remembering loved ones who have passed on.

Memorial Day Weekend FREE Graphics

Are you looking for free Memorial Day weekend graphics to dress up your MySpace page or personal web pages? I have plenty of web sites, which may have just the perfect images you are looking for.

The best site to find free Memorial Day weekend graphics without a doubt is wonder cliparts web site, which are perfect for your MySpace profile. This site is very popular simply because it is where the best images are. There is a great collection of all types of images here.

The Holiday Graphics web site is all about holidays, and this makes it a great site for those people who wish to decorate their web pages. You will find a decent size section free Memorial Day weekend graphics here. Not only will you find all types of images here you will also find wallpapers to dress up your computers desktop.

Hellas Multimedia has some of the best patriot clipart found on the internet and these images make the perfect free Memorial Day weekend graphics for any of your needs. If you are creating a MySpace or general web page in memory of a solider these are the perfect images. There are all sorts of web site clipart here from buttons to lines and everything in between.

J S Magic is a unique web site dedicated to the heroes who have given their lives so that we may live in freedom. You will find inspiring free Memorial Day weekend graphics within the server of this web site.

WTV-Zone is not just another web site, which has free Memorial Day weekend graphics. All four branches of the United States Military are represented within the pages of this site, in full color. You will also find 911 clipart along with other holiday images.

Anne's Place is a very well designed web site where you can get tons of free Memorial Day weekend graphics as well as other graphics and backgrounds for your web pages. The fantasy and angel images are outstanding and unique!

Zingerbug has a great selection of free Memorial Day weekend graphics, which are perfect for your myspace profiles, or personal web pages. This web site also includes plenty of messages for the holidays as well as the glitter images, which are so popular on the internet these days.

Plenty of web sites on the internet offer free Memorial Day weekend graphics to anyone who wish to use them. Remember to save the images onto your own computer, so you are not a bandwidth hog and your web pages will load quicker.

Free Memorial Day weekend graphics sources include:

www.wondercliparts.com/

www.holidaygraphics.com/memorial

www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/memorial/default.htm

www.jsmagic.net/memorial/

www.wtv-zone.com/AnniesTreasures/patriotic.html

www.d21c.com/AnnesPlace/MemorialDay.html

www.zingerbug.com/holidays/MemorialDay/

Memorial Day Coloring Pages Free

Free Memorial Day coloring pages are great to keep children entertained as you prepare for the picnic and cook outs this year.

Apples 4 the teacher is a wonderful site where you can download all sorts of things to keep the children entertained and there is a great selection of free Memorial Day coloring pages. One will also find word searches, puzzles and many more things that can be printed off and use to enrich a child's mind.

Kid Printables also has a huge collection of free Memorial Day coloring pages, puzzles, and paper based games that anyone can print off and enjoy. There are also word scrambles on this site so there is something for everyone here.

The home schooling section on about.com has plenty of activities for the home schooled child to enjoy and a nice selection of free Memorial Day coloring pages as well as games and a few lessons on the holiday itself.

First School is a lot more then just free Memorial Day coloring pages; it is a history of the United States for preschoolers and kindergarteners. This web site has a patriotic theme and is a great way to introduce the history of this great nation to the littlest Americans.

Activitycoloringpages is a great site, which includes dot-to-dot activities, and word based puzzles galore. There is a great selection of free Memorial Day coloring pages for your child to enjoy.

Annie's Home Page is full of fun activities for your children with plenty of free Memorial Day coloring pages, puzzles and much more. There is also a nice selection of related screensavers, wallpapers to decorate your computer for the holiday as well.

Enchanted Learning web site has plenty of free Memorial Day coloring pages, which are perfect for preschoolers to elementary school aged children. You will also find a nice selection of crafts to help your child learn about this important holiday.

Free Memorial Day coloring pages are an outstanding way to educate your child about the holiday, and all you need to supply is the crayons, markers, or pencils. Let the fun begin soon in your home.

Free Memorial Day coloring pages are also a great way to have drawing contests during the holiday celebrations and this keeps the children busy as the adults play horseshoes or sit. You can offer prizes for and category as long as every child gets a surprise.

Free Memorial Day coloring pages sources include:

www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/memorial-day/index.html

www.kidprintables.com/coloring/memorialday/index.shtml

www.homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/memorialprint_8.htm

www.first-school.ws/theme/cp_h_usapatriotic.htm

www.activitycoloringpages.com/2007/05/24/memorial-day-coloring-page/

www.annieshomepage.com/memorialdaykids.html

www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/memorialday/

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Birthday E-card Sites

Top eight Web Sites free Birthday eCards to send to the special person in your life this year. If you are looking for serious, whimsical, inspirational, or heartfelt cards, you are sure to find the perfect card to show your person just how much you care on this Birthday.

123 greetings web site offers over 150 free Birthday eCards for you to send to any person, siblings, parents, friends, or anyone else. There are latterly thousands of cards here for every occasion under the sun and moon.

Blue Mountain has plenty of free Birthday eCards for the special person in your life this year. This web site offers many cards for all occasions and the holiday sections include serious, funny, and even whimsical selections.

Greet 2k has plenty of flash technology based free Birthday Cards to send to the special person in your life. This site is quick loading and has many unique all occasion cards and greetings.

Hallmark is a trusted name in greeting cards and has been for years. Did you know that one their web site they offer tons of free Birthday eCards?

Egreetings is a quick loading web site that offers a nice sized collection of free Birthday Cards so send to your person or a person in your life.

Care 2 is a web site has free Birthday Cards, these are nice cards and greeting perfect for the persons in your life.

Deepest Feelings web site has a nice collection of free Birthday eCards, loads quickly, and is perfect to express the love you have for your person.

American Greetings is a great web site that has tons of all occasion cards and has plenty of free Birthday eCards. You are sure to find the perfect card for your person here.

Most of these card sites also have a nice collection of all occasional cards and greetings to send to everyone in your life. Choose among hundreds of special birthday cared from any of these web sites and you cannot go wrong.

Did you know that some of these web sites allow you to schedule when a card can be delivered? Therefore, you can go in, choose seven cards, and have them delivered on different days of the week to make the person you care about realize how much you care?

For the ultimate birthday surprise visit, each web site here, and send the birthday person a free ecard, and with ten cards they will know they are very special to you.

Sources for web sites for free Birthday eCards

http://www.123greetings.com

www.bluemountain.com

www.greet2k.com

www.hallmark.com

www.egreetings.com

www.care2.com

www.deepestfeelings.com

www.americangreetings.com

Dora the Explorer Theme Party

Dora the explorer is a great show for your child to watch, as it teaches cultural awareness at a young age. Perhaps if all young children learned this while they were younger the world would be a better 

place!

Dora the explorer along with her friends Boots and cousin Diego not only teach cultural awareness, they also teach about animals, basic bi-lingual, but it also teaches about being kind towards others.

On rhapsody, your child can listen to all the full length Dora the explorer songs they hear on the show plus many more. This is kid approved and very kids friendly, so there is no need to worry here.

For rainy days where your child needs something to keep, them busy why not print off some coloring pages, just add the crayons, and let your child's imagination shine through those dark dreary days. There is also plenty of Dora the explorer activities for your child to have fun with and they include puzzles and other activities to help develop hand and eye coordination as well as thinking skills.

Why not throw a Dora the explorer themed party for your child with this site, and at the party, you can play these games, which are all Dora the explorer themed. Over at this site you will find free printable games or perhaps you are looking for a word search game featuring everyone's favorite bilingual little girl.

Games as well as more family based crafts are a great way to celebrate the day with your favorite Dora the explorer. Online you will find so many fun things to do with your child you will never get bored.

If you would like to send a free birthday card to Dora the explorer's favorite little friend send one from thissite. If you insert sticker paper into your printer, you can use the clipart and other graphics from this site to give as little presents to inspire, praise or reward your child.

Sometimes potty training concepts are hard to get for some younger children, and their trusted friend Dora the explorer can help to make it easier. A Parent can print of potty training charts; gather ideas on how to make this task much easier and a whole lot more enjoyable to everyone.

Sources for this article about Dora the explorer include:

www.rhapsody.c www.pottytrainingconcepts.c

www.coloringbookfun.c

www.bostoncentral.c

www.amazingmoms.c

www.hypegames.c

www.disnoy-kingdom.c

www.planetozkids.c

www.thecrazybay.wordpress.c

www.familycrafts.about.c

www.bluemountain.c

www.disneyclips.cm

www.disneyclips.com

Open House Birthday Party

Organizing a birthday party when you have a large family can be difficult at best. With differing schedules, it can be a nightmare but here is a great idea that will work for almost any family. Our large family found the solution and we are sharing it in hope that it will help others.

With our family, which includes seven adult children, twenty-four grand children, and thirty great grandchildren, we found it difficult to plan any type of celebration. However when it came time to plan a birthday party for the matriarch of the family, we hit about a brilliant solution which will accommodate any schedules or size of family and help our mom with anything she needs to have done.

Having a birthday open house party eliminated all the scheduling conflicts. Those who worked during the day could come spend some time with mom during the evening while those who worked nights could spend the morning hours with her.

We chose the day before her mid week birthday as she works every weekend. As a self-employed person, she cannot simply take the day off. We choose the whole day to celebrate her day, this way the day can be as special as she is. She will not have two or three hours of a party, her birthday party will last most of the day.

We will be skipping the usual birthday cake and decorations. We will be including the desserts and foods we know the birthday girl enjoys. Some family members will bring a crock-pot, while others will bring salads, snacks, drinks or something to grill. Food will be served during the day, so no one will be hungry. Between the breaks in guests, those of us who will be staying all day can help with tasks as needed. Since mom lives alone, there are certain household chores she needs help with, we will tackle those projects while we are there.

Our mom will have a special day, with plenty of visits from loved ones and she will get help with those household chores she needs to have completed. This type of celebration is more meaningful than other types of birthday parties.

Father's Day in Heaven, I Miss Ya Dad

Everlasting love is what I have for you, dad
Long shall that love remain
Long shall the memories of you remain
I wish to hear your voice more than anything
Oh to hear your voice to
Telling me one more story about your younger days or
Telling me how to succeed at something that I am struggling with

Thanks dad for everything you have given me
I shall always hold your wisdom close
My heart you will never leave
My life would not be the same without you

Just take care of yourself up there,
Rest in peace dad, I miss you

My dad was a great man because he loved with his heart and told you straight up the real deal on everything. I miss him more than words can say. If one looks at the first letter of each line of this poem, you will know my dad's name.

Signs from Heaven

How does one know they are getting a sign from a loved one who is now living in Heaven? The signs are plentiful if you know where to look and what to look for.

My dad passed in late November of 2010, in the days following his passing we all were visited by a lone honeybee. Some people would say honeybees are all over, but for us we knew it was a sign because in late November in Pennsylvania the honeybees are simply not out. They all disappear as the nights begin to grow chilly in late September here. We saw a lone honeybee outside our homes as well as inside. As he lay in a comatose state for his final five days, a lone honeybee climbed up the window of his hospital room.

While our signs were obvious, other people may have a hard time figuring out what their signs are. A childhood friend, who lost a twenty four year old daughter, was looking for a sign that her daughter was safe in Heaven. My friend noticed that every time she began thinking of her daughter a morning dove would come and sit in a tree where she could watch it. She soon realized this was her sign from her daughter.

If you have dreams featuring that loved one, and that loved one tells you that 'thing are fine' this is a direct message to you that things are indeed fine. Usually people get this sign if they are grieving too much and cannot seem to move past the death. I have also had dreams about my dad in times of great stress. My dad tells in that 'things will be better' and this lets me know that dad is watching. I find great comfort in those dreams.

Signs can be a feather floating down when there are no birds around or a smell of that person's cologne or perfume when no one else is around. Coins on the ground, if they are the year of that loved one's birth are a sure sign. Especially if you find multiple coins on different days, randomly as you go about your week.

When you find yourself missing someone who has passed look for the signs, you will find them. Signs from heaven come in dreams, coins on the ground, to animals and insects, you simply need to look for things that repeat each time the grief is at the worst.

Saving Money on Paper Wedding Items

Having a wedding is a huge expensive event. Some wedding paper items are just not worth the money you will pay for such an event. You can have a great wedding and have it as memorable as if you had spent thousands of dollars on it. Many people simply do not have tons of money to pay for all the fancy paper trimmings.

Many people want the fancy invitations from a printer. These are indeed awesome to look at, but seriously, they will be looked at once and tossed away or meet a similar fate. Instead, send away for a mail order catalog from a company, which designs these. Use the cards in the book as examples and create your own.

Office supply stores as well as department stores have the fancy paper to make the invitations just as fancy as they are in the books or from a printer. You can download trail version of a card design program and the only expense you have is for the paper and envelopes.

With the right greeting card software, you can create many of the holders of wedding favors. For example, the Print Master software will help you create the little boxes to hold mints. Get the small bite size Hershey bars, and the small stickers, which fit, on them. Use your card software to print small labels, which have your names on them. Attach the labels to the candy bar wrapper. You have personalized wedding candy bars at a fraction of the cost.

Go into the dollar store and purchase tablecloths for all the tables, except for the bridal table. The bridal table should be a linen tablecloth. Pick up napkins, plastic silverware, and the paper plates while you are in the dollar store.

While you are in the dollar store look at the wedding decorations. You can find some very cute ones here. You can find a big banner that says congratulations on your wedding. No one will realize you got them there so do not worry about such things. Sometimes you can find the little containers of bubbles with the congratulations on them and this would be a nice gift for your guests.

Almost any fancy paper item you will pay much money for at a printer or specially store can be created on your home computer and printer. Take your time designing these items and you can have fancy paper goods without the high cost.

Balloon Releases for Loved Ones

Balloon releases can be done on many occasions and they are a great way of remembering those family members or close friends who have passed on. This brief article will give you ideas on when and how to release the balloons.

Helium balloons will automatically rise to the sky when released. Sky Lanterns, are much better to release than balloons. These are 100% paper items. The bottom is lit and the heat from the flame fills the balloon-type top and carries it skyward. On the day my dad passed in 2010, my six siblings, our mom, and I released these hot air balloons to let him know we missed him. You can purchase these Sky Lanterns in bulk at this website.

With these items, the entire thing will burn up as it rises skyward so there is no fire danger. There is also no danger of a bird or other small item dying from any plastic or Mylar from a regular type balloon. These are more environmentally safe then the classic types as well.

At a wedding when the grandparent, or mom or dad of the bride or groom has passed as the couple leaves the church the one who lost the family member should release a balloon. This can be a printed balloon with the names and date. You could also use a sharpie to write a special message.

Do not forget the other special days such as Wedding Anniversary, birthdays, Grandparent's Day, Mother's Day or Father's Day or any holiday the person loved. You can release balloons with personalized messages at anytime to acknowledge the much loved and missed family member. My dad gets them often because he had a huge family who misses him immensely.

Please be forewarned that in the winter months balloons do not fly so well. My first granddaughter passed in late November and on some of the years, we have trouble getting the balloon up. We assume this is because of atmospheric conditions.

Many people believe that loved ones who have passed join us in spirit at special occasions. Acknowledging that we feel them there is very important and this is why many people do the balloon releases.

Special 10th Birthday Party

When your child turns 10 years old, coming up with an idea for a special celebration to mark the occasion is sometimes a daunting task. A 10 year old is too old for a Barney party, and this brief article will give you a few suggestions to make his or her party one to remember.

Have their party in a special location. Usually this age a child has many friends who will need to be invited. So you need a place that will hold a lot of people both friends and family and one such places your local community hall or perhaps a room at your local volunteer fire department.

My niece recently had a 10^th birthday party for her daughter and rented a room at the local fire department. The room was big enough for people of all ages to enjoy themselves, whether they sat at one of the tables or danced in the open space. There was adequate parking, handicapped accessible restrooms, and the kitchen was open so the family had access to the sinks and counter space.

A local deejay was hired to provide music that the preteens could dance to. The preschoolers who are not dancers loved the light show that was synchronized to the music. Even if you cannot afford to hire a professional DJ, having someone play music than the children can dance to is always a good idea. The dance party is a good way to let your preteen few more grown up.

A regular birthday cake will not cut it; you need something more grown up. Instead of the usual one layer frosted cake, try a layered and filled cake. At the local party, there was a huge sheet cake. Half of it was a chocolate cake layered with Bavarian cream and the other half was a white cake with raspberry filling. The entire cake was covered with a cool whip based icing. Everyone enjoyed it.

There was the usual mix of beverages, plenty of water, little juice boxes and assorted sodas which were kept on ice in little barrels. The food table held big bowls of assorted chips, cheese doodles, and pretzels.

There was even a box of leis for the kids to wear and plenty of balloons. There were more balloons than there were children. My niece decided to release the extra balloons for our family members who are in heaven after the party.

Creative Ways to Announce the Sex of an Unborn Baby

There are many creative ways to announce to your families the sex of your unborn baby. Using one of these ways will build the excitement of the upcoming arrival and will announce him or her in a unique way.

My nephew and his wife are expecting their first child and they decided to let the rest of the family know at gender revealing party. The family gathered for a cook out, and the mom to be was presented with a box. When she opened the box, several pink balloons emerged. When the couple had their first ultrasound two weeks prior to the party the Dr. revealed to my nephew the sex of his baby. My nephew was home for this ultrasound but had to report to active duty the day afterwards.

My nephew let his best friend know the sex a few hours before the party so that he could get the right color balloons to surprise his wife. He was on the phone so he could hear the excitement of his wife, but was also sent a video via a cell phone of the reveal.

With all the technology available to us today parents can give very creative with the announcement of their impending arrival or arrivals.

Creative parents could create a web site for their unborn child and upload the ultrasound pictures. The page that has the ultrasound pictures should be gender neutral, as the reveal will happen in the specially created video that the parents will upload. In this brief video, the one parent who knows the sex of the baby will tell the other parent. This way the excitement is captured on film and everyone can share in that stimulation.

If a couple is having twins or other multiples here is a cute way to let the world know. Create a video of one parent revealing to the other parent the sex, and upload this video to share the announcement. If mom knows the sex of the babies, she could hand dad a little pair of socks for each baby. Two pair of blue socks revealed twin boys, while a pair of each color would represent a baby of each sex.

Chicago Bulls Game Perfect Father's Day Gift

The perfect gift for a special dad this year on Father’s Day is to go see a Chicago Bulls game at United Center! Imagine dad’s joy as he celebrates his special day at courtside at a basketball game, the best gift is NBA tickets. It would make a truly memorable day. Celebrating these special days doing what dad loves to do is a great idea. 

If dad is not into basketball or the Chicago Bulls, the TicketAmerica website has plenty of  United Center tickets in Chicago as well as other venues around the United 

Paper Fourth of July Crafts

Cheap and easy Fourth of July crafty activities for kids of all ages are the focus of this article. Although designed for children, all of these activities can be adapted for people of all ages to take part. Some of these are one hundred percent free while others require a minimal purchase but none of them will break the bank. All of the activities will get the entire family in on the action and will help to make the day more enjoyable for all.

Make a flag
Item needed some construction paper, stick glue, and a few pieces of white printer paper, star stickers, and some glitter pens.

Depending on the ages of the children involved, a helpful parent will cut out strips of red paper, which are about an inch high. Make sure you turn the paper to the landscape position to cut your strips.
A parent or older child should also cut out multiple tiny stars or simply use star stickers.

Allow the children to assemble the paper flags as an activity during your celebration or beforehand to use as decorations. However if you choose to use this for a party activity it will keep the kids entertained so the adults can relax.

Paper chains
Some may think that paper chains are for Christmas, but if you use red, white and blue construction paper these become themed for the fourth of July celebrations around that nation. This is also one of those activities, which will keep the kids entertained.

A parent or older child should precut strips of red, white, and blue construction paper into inch long strips. Make sure you turn the paper to the landscape position to cut your strips.



Use a stapler to secure the strips into the chain, and see how big a child can get the chains. You can make this a mall competition by dividing the children into groups. Offer prizes for the longest length in a certain period. 


Coloring Contest
Many web sites offer themed holiday printable which you can print off and have the kids or those who are youthful color. The beauty of these pages is that you can print off simple drawings, or more detailed ones, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Simply supply the crayons, markers, glitter pens, stickers and allow the kids to have fun.

Hodgepodge
Cut out images from magazines of families sharing special times and have the kids paste them onto sheets of poster paper. Make these pictures have a theme such as family fun, food, and even locations.

raditions for the Fourth of July

Traditions for the Fourth of July holiday are varied between families and states. There are many similarities between the traditions of the Fourth of July holiday, but there are differences as well.


I am going to discuss what happens in northeastern Pennsylvania in our traditional Fourth of July holiday get-togethers. Perhaps it can inspire you to share some good clean healthy fun.

I come from a rather large extended family, so we usually do any holiday celebrations as a family unit but we also to include some people who are not family. Most of our fourth of July celebrations occur at our privately owned campground.

Camping is a tradition in my family. We usually camp most of the summer a few days at a time. In the month of July, my children and I remain the whole time, and the fourth is the best.

Now during this month some people stay the whole month and others to stay a few days at a time. One thing is certain we are all there for the Fourth of July. It is fun for everyone.

We have a few sparkers for the little ones but who needs them when you have bonfires on a nightly basis? You can toast marshmallows or hotdogs while listening to family members sing patriotic songs.

Fourth of July activities include a friendly cook off that would leave Gordon Ramsey licking his lips in appreciation. Each of my siblings makes a special dish, which is judged, and the best ones in each category will win a prize.

Everyone tries to make a dish with a patriotic name. It is a challenge to come up with something different each year. Points are given for creativity in the name of the dish, taste, and creativity of the ingredients used. The smells of all the different items being cooked over the campfires wafts through the air.

We also try to play old-fashioned games, and spend the day talking and bonding. We have also done a special trivia game in which the answers all have to do with the July 4 in history or events, which led up to our nation's independence.


Gather the kids to play Frisbee, softball or volleyball. One of the fun activities for the kids is to play a version of tag where you have to call out a name of someone in history. This really tests their knowledge and makes you wonder how much they pay attention in school.

Two small towns near us will have Fourth of July celebrations, and we attend both of these as one huge unit. They are on different nights, which is great. We caravan which means it is usually about a 20-car procession, so it takes us a while to get anywhere. We all enjoy the fireworks, and the carnivals, which are set up both of these celebrations. However, the thing that we all liked best easily is being with family.