Friday, July 3, 2009

Patriotism and Shameless Exploitation

I come from a tremendously patriotic family and the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I love the music, and the atmosphere and the fireworks and everything. Except parades. I hate parades. I've been listening to patriotic music all week at work and marching around to the beat whenever I walked around. And yes, I looked awesome. My grandma was married to a Colonel in the Air Force and so many memories I have of her involve patriotism in some way or another whether it was her dress or how she would write letters to businesses informing them that their flag was tattered and they needed to replace it.

Last weekend my mama had a big fund-raiser of the patriotic variety. It was a no-kids event unless your child had memorized the Preamble to the Constitution. I had a REALLY cute video of my 5 year-old niece and 3 year-old nephew quoting it...but it won't upload! Can anyone help me with that?! You're really missing out by not seeing it. At least I can include some pictures of the kids being cute in patriotic clothes. The top is my niece, Mia, and in case you were wondering she REALLy likes me. The bottom is my mama with some of her grandkids. I personally think my nephew on the right has one of the cutest smiles I've ever seen.

30 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I really hope you have a cute little matching dress like that too.

Happy 4th!

sara said...

Your grandma sounds cool. I love that she wrote letters to businesses telling them to replace their flags.
Awesome!

Camille said...

I can sooo see you marching up and down in a patriotic fashion (my vision of you is really expanding) anyhooo how cute are your nieces and nephew? too cute

Shauna said...

Hope you have a Happy 4th of July weekend :) ♥ HUGS ♥

Kazzy said...

Cute, cute, photo! I admit I am not much of a parade fan either.

The Crash Test Dummy said...

I bet you did look awesome!

Oh you are so cute. Even your mom is so cute!

Happy 4th. Love the patriotism! Can't wait to meet you!

Deb said...

I'm with Kristina. I think we were cheated out of Barbaloot in the matching dress and hair bow...

Shelle-BlokThoughts said...

Barb... where are YOU in that pic??? honestly! That's a really cool story about your g-ma. And I get a little va-clemped when I think about all the people who allowed me to have the freedoms I enjoy today... so it's one of my favorite holiday's also! :)

Super CUTE nieces and nephews! :)

Happy Independence Day!

Anonymous said...

The memorizing of the preamble is an excellent idea! My kids are 6 and 10 and each can name the presidents (something their teachers can NOT do) and the 10 can name the signers of the constitution and declaration, still working onthe 6.

Hope your day is beautiful.

The Condies said...

I know hilarous huh! She gets so mad at me cause I won't let her play in it. BTW...very cute of your mama!

Shelley said...

So....cute!

Nutty Hamster Chick said...

Love this post. Love the fourth of July, expecially when it is spent with family. Very cute nieces. I can tell how much she likes you. It is always good to be the favorite aunt.

Carol said...

Ah enjoy your independence!

When I wokred for EFY I was in Provo for the 4th and I have to admit it made me wish England were so patriotic.

I especially loved all the USA sweaters and ties at church that Sunday. Cracked me up.

There is no market for patriotic formal wear here.

Sad but true.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with you on the nephew thing -- incidentally, how old is he? Would you please reserve him for my youngest daughter? Those blue eyes are to die for! (And I want to have BLUE-eyed grandkids myself one day!)

Anonymous said...

Oh, and speaking of patching up flags: I actually got hired a few years ago to fix some flags for a few local government offices, and did you know, you're supposed to get special permission to sew on a federal flag? In other words, I had to get a signed letter from some high-falutin' government secretary from D.C. before I could even thread my sewing machine! But I got a very nice letter of appreciation when I was done, so it was worth the form I had to fill out, and the background check, and the thumbprinting just to get it done in the first place!

April said...

I love my independence! I am so grateful to those who fought for me! Love your traditions!

Boy Mom said...

Nooo! You can't hate parades, don't you know they toss free salt water taffy on the road for snacks?

Hoggards said...

Let me guess...a couple of those darling kids belong to Buffy and Joey. They are all adorable!!! And how awesome is that...the 3 year old knowing the preamble?? :)

Emily said...

I also love the 4th of July. Nick also hates parades.

JD said...

Imagining you goose-stepping is a funny visual.

You might try uploading the videos to YouTube, then embedding them in the blog. Just a thought.

rychelle said...

you look so much like your mom!

how about a video of you marching around?

Buffy Dayton said...

Oh, my kids are darn cute aren't they. Thanks for being such a good aunt, no wonder they like you so much! You are awesome!

annie valentine said...

I love that our country has stars AND stripes because it gives me so many 4th of July outfit options.

beazer1812@comcast.net said...

cute outfits---grandma also looks happy (I know I am when I have the grandkids gathered around me) July 4th is definetly a good holiday. think I'll go eat a hot dog and some apple pie (even if I am a Canuk)

wendy said...

ah, that comment above is me ----duh, I was on another account

Smart Helm said...

The 4th is my FAVORITE holiday. In my little home town, we have a parade where all the kids decorate their bikes and then follow the fire truck around on a few streets ending at the LDS church for a carnival on the back lawn.

That is the BEST type of parade!

Becca said...

I'm with you on the whole parade thing. My mom begs me to go with her to the one on the 24th every year. Sometimes I give in to the pressure...not this year!

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

I agree, that is a cute smile. I have not listened to partriotic music~ maybe I should? ANd you? You need a twitter acct babe, so we can stay in touch between posts!

Elisa said...

I love the 4th too! It's my favorite holiday! This year, however, I banned the matching outfits. Just way to nerdy for me.

Are you coming to the dinner tonight for DeNae or lunch tomorrow for Erin? I'd love to meet you!

Homer and Queen said...

Loved the red shoes and you did too say I was ugly!!!! I heard you!!! Did you guys have fun?