Independence, Perfect Picnic Salad, and the Who Needs Fireworks Kaleidoscope

Independence Day is not only a good time to think about the history of our country, it is also a good time to support independence in your children since the topic is already in the air and on the table. How you go about developing this important character trait depends primarily upon the child's age, so check out these links for age appropriate ideas:

Infants
Toddlers
Preschoolers
School age

Remember, teaching independence may take more time initially (like self-feeding, potty training, and cleaning up), but in the end it will end up saving you much more time.

Recipe:

Picnic Caviar

If you are planning on picnicking this 4th of July weekend, this is a wonderfully tasty and healthy recipe that will keep the picnickers coming back for more. It was featured in Vegetarian Times July 2008 issue.

serves 4

Ingredients
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 Tbs. sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-oz. can pinto beans or black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels
1 organic red, yellow, or orange bell pepper, finely chopped (1 cup)
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
1 2-oz. can diced green chiles with liquid
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1) Whisk together vinegar, oil, sugar, garlic, oregano, and basil in large bowl.

2) Stir in black and pinto beans, corn, bell pepper, onion, chiles, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

Project:

Make Your Own Kaleidoscope

Who needs fireworks, when you've got a groovy kaleidoscope! Compliments of National Geographic, here's an easy-to-follow, educational project that will create hours of fun for the kids.

What You Will Need:
Paper towel tube cut eight inches (20 centimeters) long
Clear plastic report cover
Ruler
Pen
Paring knife or art utility knife
3 four-inch squares (one each) of black construction paper, plastic wrap, and waxed paper
Scissors
Rubber band
Clear tape
Colored transparent beads, small sequins, and shiny confetti
Stickers and wrapping paper


1) Draw an 8-by-4-inch rectangle on the report cover. Cut it out. Draw three lines across the rectangle as shown.

2) Fold the plastic along the lines to form a triangular shape. The quarter-inch strip goes on the outside. Tape the strip along the edge so it stays closed.

3) Slide the plastic triangle into the paper towel roll.

4) Turn the paper towel tube on one end. Trace a circle around it on the construction paper. Poke a hole through the center of the circle and tape it over one end of the tube.

5) Place a square of plastic wrap on the other end of the tube. Press down to create a pouch in the end of the plastic triangle. Put some beads, sequins, and confetti in the pouch.

6) Place a square of waxed paper over the pouch. Stretch the rubber band over both the waxed paper and the plastic wrap. Be sure it’s on tight so nothing spills out!

7) Trim the corners of the squares. Decorate the outside of the paper towel roll with stickers or wrapping paper.

8) Hold the tube up to one eye and look through it. Turn it and watch your own light show!


A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities. -Eda J. Le Shan