Pure Lazy

This is a prefect description of our weekend! Eric had friday off, which is always nice because we love having him around. But considering the extremely large watermelon I am carrying about these days energy only comes in small spurts. (And apparently I don't seem to have the energy to pick up the camera either)
Some friends had a BBQ on saturday, which we missed because I was asleep on the couch. We missed all the festivities in center city because..well...horrible excuse but we went to the grocery store and there were a gazillion block parties (basically every block in the city has one every summer, they rope off their block and everyone sets up tables and eats plenty of fried chicken/hamburgers..etc, and the kids play games in the street...no traffic allowed..super annoying) so it took so long to get home because we had to keep going around all the closed off blocks. By the time we got home we were so exhausted we decided not to go anywhere. I wasn't especially in a mood to deal with all the people in the city anyway...

Aside from all that..I really do love the 4th of July! Especially being right here in philly where it all started. I am forever grateful to those men who sacrificed everything in order to make our country what it is today. And for all those who continue to sacrifice so that we can be free.
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Just a little history...

10g. The Declaration of Independence

The moment had finally come. Far too much bad blood existed between the colonial leaders and the crown to consider a return to the past. More and more colonists felt deprived by the British not only of their money and their civil liberties, but their lives as well. Bloodshed had begun over a year ago and there seemed little chance of a ceasefire. The radical wing of the Continental Congress was gaining strength with each passing day. It was time for a formal break with mother England. It was time to declare independence.

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution to the Congress that declared the thirteen colonies "free and independent states." Congress did not act on the resolution immediately. A vote was set for early July. In the meantime it seemed appropriate that some sort of explanation was in order for such a bold act. A subcommittee of five, including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, was selected to choose the careful wording. Such a document must be persuasive to a great many parties. Americans would read this and join the patriot cause. Sympathetic Britons would read this and urge royal restraint. Foreign powers would read this and aid the colonial militia. They might, that is, if the text were convincing. The five agreed that Jefferson was the most talented writer. They would advise on his prose.

The declaration is divided into three main parts. The first was a simple statement of intent. Jefferson's words echo down through the decades of American life until the present day. Phrases like "all men are created equal," "unalienable rights," and "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" have bounced from the lips of Americans in grammar school and retirement. All are contained in the first section that outlines the basic principles of the enlightened leaders. The next section is a list of grievances; that is, why the colonies deemed independence appropriate. King George was guilty of "repeated injuries" that intended to establish "absolute tyranny" in North America. He has "plundered our seas, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people." It was difficult for Americans to argue his points. The concluding paragraph officially dissolves ties with Britain. It also shows modern readers the courage taken by each delegate who would sign. They were now officially guilty of treason and would hang in the gallows if taken before a royal court. Thus, they would "pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

http://www.ushistory.org/us/10g.asp