Easiest 4th of July Craft Ever

Lorie @ Reading Confetti seriously deserves an award for this craft idea. It's my favorite kind - super quick, easy, and nearly every mom will already have everything they need for it.
Here's what you need to make your own fireworks picture:

A sheet of paper - cardstock or any thicker paper will work best - sprinkles (or "jimmies" if you're one of those), and a spray bottle. This bottle happens to be my kitchen-cleaning water/vinegar solution but you can just use water.

Shake sprinkles onto the sheet of paper.

Spray the paper & sprinkles with water from above.

Allow to dry and then brush away the sprinkles.

Proudly show off your fireworks display!

These also look lovely when the light shines through. If I have the time, I might frame this in black construction paper to make a light-catcher for the window. Thanks again, Lori, for the great idea!



America the Beautiful illustrated by Wendell Minor

Every year I struggle to find a good patriotic book to share with you and my girls. Most are so full of platitudes I can't stand it. But it's hard to go wrong when you begin with Katherine Bates' lyrics to America the Beautiful. That's just what talented artist Wendell Minor did in this lovely book. Each page matches a couple lines of verse to a gorgeous illustration of an American landmark or scene from throughout our nation's history. He includes the Bates' full poem - not just the verses we all know so well - and shows scenes from the pilgrims to the beams of light where the world trade towers once stood. It's one of those wonderful books you can read at face value or use to teach your kids about this beautiful country of ours.