The Joy of Unscripted Simplicity

The 4th of July is my husband's favorite holiday.

The way he explains it, it's hard not to agree.

"It's a time for family, friends, and neighbors to get together without the need for gift-buying. 

Together, we enjoy good food, laughter, great music, summer fun, 

and a shared patriotism for our great country."

He loves its simplicity.

He's a smarty like that... realizing life's most simple moments produce the most unscripted joy.

So... we dig back to our own childhoods and recall a few traditions that feel like summer to us and we provide opportunities for our children to bask in simplicity.

We enjoy 4th of July favorites like homemade ice cream and watermelon:

 Cousins run through backyard sprinklers:

We laugh and enjoy time outdoors with those we love.

 

And let the boys tap into their inner pyro (supervised, of course!):

 The dads get competitive and enjoy a few rounds of bags:

And can't resist an opportunity to cheese it up for the camera:

Then of course, there are fireworks and patriotic songs before our backyard is converted into a campground so cousins, friends and neighbors can enjoy a suburban campout:

It's the simplicity of the holiday that is so meaningful to him.

For one day, we travel back to simpler times and focus on the people that truly make our lives meaningful.  We provide opportunities for memory-making and enjoy back-to-basics fun.

Through my husband's eyes, it's not hard to see why the 4th of July is a day to celebrate!

Love, live and create with intention,

Kristi