Celebrate the 4th of July with Patriotic Pedicures and Kids Crafts

Celebrate your independence with your kids with these two fun activities! But first – a little history lesson on why we recognize “Uncle Sam’s” Birthday.

Activity #1 - The Patriotic Pedicure

The 101:
Most people in the United States celebrate the 4th of July, but sometimes forget why it is such an important day aside from barbeques and family fun. In 1776, colonists had more and more taxes taken away from them by Great Britain.  People started getting mad and started to make a plan to make their own rules and no longer wanted Great Britain to be able to tell them what to do. What was their next step? They decided to tell Great Britain that they were becoming an independent country.

To make a long story short, the Congress met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and they appointed a committee to write a formal document that would tell Great Britain that the Americans had decided to govern themselves. The committee asked Thomas Jefferson to write a draft (first try) of the document, in absolute secret, until he had written a document that he thought said everything important that the committee had discussed. On June 28, 1776, the committee met to read Jefferson’s “fair” copy of the document and declared their independence on July 2, 1776.  July 2^nd?!? They officially adopted it on July 4, 1776. That is why we call it “Independence Day.”

ACTIVITY #1
Brighten your child’s toes and let him or her paint their patriotism by decorating his or her nails with stars and stripes!

What is Needed:

• Nail polish in red, white, and blue
• French manicure brush (white nail polish with a thin tip brush)

What to Do:

1. First, apply a base coat of red and blue polish, as shown.
2. Let that dry for 2 minutes.
3. Use a thin French manicure brush to add the white-polish stars and stripes.

ACTIVITY #2
Who doesn’t love punch or lemonade on Independence Day?
Plastic cups tend to look more and more alike at any 4^th of July party. Look-alike plastic cups have a way of losing themselves in a crowd. Cut down mix-ups (and garbage) with guest-decorated designed cups!

Activity #2 - Independence Cups

• Plastic cups
• Large and small star stickers (red, white, and blue)
• Placard
• Marker

What to Do:

1. Add a large red, white, or blue star sticker to each cup, along with a few smaller stars for decoration.
2. Put an assortment of markers on a table.
3. Set up a sign or placard directing guests to choose a cup and write their name on it.

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Back to School – with all the “Right Stuff!”

Houston…we have a problem.”

Americans are GREAT at solving problems!  Remember the triumphant safe return of our Astronauts?  Right now there is a big problem with one of our most vulnerable groups of citizens – disadvantaged and homeless children.  These children are approaching Back to School, just like millions of children across the United States – but have a problem…a lack of the basic necessities needed to start school off on the right foot. 

A Backpack Filled with all The Right Stuff

Fortunately there is a group of heroes out there ready to help!  Julie, a member of our Inside Sales Team and outstanding mother of five, brought our attention to a program near and dear to her heart. Volunteers of America, a non-profit organization in the Sacramento/Yolo County area, administer a program called Operation Backpack that offers services to local disadvantaged families.   One of the key services at this time of year is supplying backpacks filled with school supplies to give children all the advantages they deserve to start the school year on a positive note.  After hearing about this praiseworthy project I couldn’t help but get involved… I have a passion for kids and a soft spot in my heart for those that have the will to learn, but lack the means to easily navigate the educational process.

Kristin Sporting Her Donated Backpack

I jumped at the opportunity to work with Volunteers of America – and honestly had a blast roaming through the aisles of our local retailer, picking out the perfect Hannah Montana backpack, then filling it with a binder, super cool markers, crayons, pens, pencils, etc.  It was all the fun of school shopping without the stress of going to class! Julie and I filled up several backpacks for the kids, and had a ball doing it.  Julie’s son asked where his backpack was…and he’s 23!  We can’t wait until next year when we do this again…although we shouldn’t wait, since Volunteers of America collects backpacks throughout the entire year. 

Operation Backpack has collected 2,938 backpacks so far this year – double the donations from last year!  Even in a tough economy people see the importance of investing in our children’s future.  If you have a desire to help our country’s children get a head start on a valuable and needed education, please contact Volunteers of America to see how you can assist.  The children will thank you!

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