4th of July At Old Sturbridge Village

 At 12:00pm today we got a text from Grace saying the parade was at 1:30pm so we dropped what we were doing and hightailed it over! We made it shortly after they had lined up. Perfect timing!  

After the parade the Declaration of Independence was read. 

Once the reading of the Declaration was done everyone headed back to the various houses/buildings. Grace was in the Fitch House (one of my most favorite houses at OSV. My other favorite is the parsonage)  so we decided to go peek in on what she was doing over there. 

Today, she was helping in the kitchen where they were making Independence Cake. Sadly, because she's not eighteen she's not able to eat anything that they cook or bake (due to things being unpasteurized). 

The 4th of July celebration at Old Sturbridge Village is one of our most favorite days at the village. This is the one day that Grace really wanted to be at OSV and we are so glad that she was able to be one of the Junior Interns there today. It wouldn't feel like Independence Day to us if we didn't go to the village, watch the parade and listen to the reading of the Declaration. It's such a simple celebration, but so very meaningful. Happy Independence Day, everyone! xo 

On The Eve Of The Fourth Of July

For the last eight years the girls have marched in the library's Fourth of July parade. From the first year they marched until now, this sweet parade has been a part of their childhoods, and for that I am grateful. We did agree that this would be the last year that the three of us marched. After all, they were the oldest kids participating (not that there's anything wrong with that of course, it just feels like it's time to leave this one to the younger children). Regardless, we shall cherish all the years we got to participate in this wonderfully sweet tradition.  Such a simple event, but so very important and one that we will look back on for years to come! xo 

In Celebration Of America

It's our tradition to go to Old Sturbridge Village on the 4th of July. Due to less than stellar weather, and the Village not hosting their usual fireworks display this year we decided that we'd put off our annual 4th of July visit until the next day. And while we are sad that we did not get to meet up with our friends we are so very happy to have waited as the weather was much, much better the next day!

We arrived just in time for the afternoon parade, which lead right into the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Hearing the Declaration of Independence read on the 4th of July just really brings home why it is we are celebrating in the first place! From there we went to peek at the sawmill, the gristmill and the carding mill. The girls were really captivated by the potter making inkwells, and he mentioned to them that if we were to go to the Asa Knight Store we could see some of what they make in the pottery barn there in the backroom just as people in the 1830s would have. While the girls and I went to the store, Dave went over to the cannon firing demonstration to behold them firing the new cannon (and to take some pictures). Even though the girls and I knew it was being fired it still took us by surprise! The Asa Knight storekeepers shared with us that they were not using cannon balls since they can travel up to a mile and that means there would be a really good chance that one of them would have landed on one of the highways! Could you imagine?!

Before we left we each added our names to the Declaration of Independence that was hung outside of the Center Meetinghouse. Between hearing the Declaration read when we first arrived, and getting to sign it before we left, the reason we celebrate this holiday was definitely front and center yesterday. For those who celebrate the 4th of July we hope your holiday was just as lovely and as meaningful as ours was! xo

Happy 4th Of July!

Happy 4th of July from our family (and friends) to yours! We hope that your Independence Day celebration was absolutely spectacular! xo

4th Of July Parade

Earlier in the week the children's room at the library held their annual 4th of July parade. The children got decked out in their finest patriotic clothing and accessories, were given flags and noise makers and marched from the library to the Town Hall and back. It's such a sweet parade and always the perfect way to kick off the holiday! xo