CAPITALIZE ON FAMILY FOIBLES Think about traditions that evoke some quirk or twist unique to your family. If your kids love water balloons, a red, white, and blue water balloon fight can leave them laughing. Your family’s favorite films about patriotism or national identity may include fantasy tales, such as the animated 1986 immigrants’ story “An American Tail,” or darker stories, such as “Born on the Fourth of July,” the 1989 film on a Vietnam vet’s struggles after the war. Whatever your preference, watching a beloved movie together as a family can reinforce shared values. For maximum fun, ban cellphones and make lots of popcorn. MAKE IT MATTER Decorating your house and yard with flags, red-white-and-blue bunting, and patriotic pinwheels can help children get into the spirit. To create a tangible memoir, take photos of the fun and print them for an album or deposit them in a “Fourth of July Memory Jar.” When you pull them out next year, those images will spark plenty of laughs!
CREATE MEANINGFUL HOLIDAY MEMORIES WITH YOUR KIDS Traditions Start Here
Festive national holidays offer a great opportunity to strengthen family ties and traditions. While most people regard the end-of-year holidays as prime time for family get-togethers, you can make great memories in any season — including the Fourth of July! To foster traditions your loved ones will enjoy, start when your children are young. Repeat your chosen rituals year after year, but stay flexible enough to update them to suit your kids’ developmental stages. EMPHASIZE LIVE ACTION Activities that immerse your children in sights, sounds, smells, and live action can be the
most memorable. Community Fourth of July parades offer a great opportunity to socialize with neighbors and friends of all ages. To make memories, don’t just watch the parade — encourage your kids to join it! Midsummer is a great time to participate in light-hearted three-legged races, an egg toss, and sack races. As kids age, consider holding a Fourth of July Family Bowl for an annual game of soccer, softball, or touch football. At day’s end, fireworks offer a chance to gather in a lawn chair or on a blanket in the grass and enjoy some favorite snacks.
SUDOKU
Cheesy Tomato-Basil Stuffed Chicken Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
Ingredients • 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1/2 cup basil pesto • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, oil reserved
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, divided • 2 cloves garlic, smashed • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar • Chili flakes, to taste • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves • Salt and pepper, to taste
1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Slice chicken down the middle horizontally (not cutting all the way through). 3. Spread pesto inside filleted chicken, then stuff with cheese and tomatoes before closing chicken, covering filling. 4. Place chicken in a large oven-safe skillet. Drizzle with reserved oil. 5. Set the skillet over medium heat; cook 5 minutes. 6. Add 1 1/2 cups tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and season with chili flakes. Cook 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat. 7. Bake in oven for 7–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tomatoes burst. 8. Toss remaining 1/2 cup tomatoes with basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 9. Serve the chicken topped with fresh tomatoes. Directions
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