Celebrating the Fourth of July

How many, how many happy things Swing High on the Fourth of July
I celebrate on the Fourth of July:
Daddy and I on the backyard swings 
Pretend we’re sailing to the sky.

Mama’s stirring lemonade,
Grandpa’s setting up the grill.
Picnic tables in the shade —
It’s too exciting; I can’t sit still.

Swing high, on the Fourth of July,
Soaring on the summer air,
Down and back up to the sky,
Free to swing as high as I dare.

How many, how many colorful sights
March in the parade for the Fourth of July! 
Independence Day Parade
The brightest blues and reds and whites 
Glitter as all the floats pass by.

It looks like everyone had fun
Choosing special clothes to wear
To celebrate out in the sun.
And flags are flying everywhere.

Fly high, on the Fourth of July!
Shining, red, white and blue,
Proudly wave in the summer sky
Free to fly for all to view.

So many, so many happy things
I celebrate on the Fourth of July.
I’m alive, and I’m free and my glad heart sings
And I want to shout my thanks to the sky.

Waiting, waiting for it to get dark Red, White and Blue
Searching for stars in the long twilight
Stretched out on a blanket in the park
Finally, finally, now it is night.

Soar high on the Fourth of July! 
Into the darkness the sky rockets soar,
Bursting in glory across the sky,
Telling the story of freedom once more.

oOo

From Year-Round Read-Aloud, Read-Along Rhymes: Celebrating Holidays and Seasons.

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Oh the Sights and the Sounds of a Summer Night!

Summer Nightsummer backyard family reunion kids on mattress

Oh the sights and the sounds of a summer night!
When the long, hot day finally gives up its light.
And the star-bright sky seems close enough to touch.
Is there any other time that I love this much?

Somewhere in the dark, high above the trees,
A hoot owl flies on nights like these.
And the chirp of the katydids hiding in the lawn
Will sing me to sleep until the dawn.

I wish I could stay outside all night,
With the sky for my cover and the stars for my light.
But I think of my room and my cool, fresh bed
And I know that I’ll sleep inside, instead.

With a flashlight helping us to see,
Daddy walks up to the house with me,
Where the moths crowd around the back porch light.
It’s time for all sleepy things to say, “Good night.”

oOo

(from Bedtime Read-Aloud, Read-Along Rhymes: Quiet Poems for the End of the Day)

oOo

The picture I used with this poem comes from a fun blog, Marta Writes.   http://www.martawrites.com/2011/07/family-reunion-backyard-movie-night.html  

I recommend you go there for lots of fun family ideas!

A "Thank You" to My Friends

Thanks to all of you who downloaded my books on my birthday.  It was a wonderful present to me to have so many new readers learn about my books and poems.  Thank you all for sharing! 

Have a great summer, and don't forget Father's Day on June 16.  You can find lots of ideas for fun presents and things to do with Dad at the blogs on my "Family Fun Blogs" page.

oOo

 

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