Here is something to make with the kids to celebrate the fourth:

4 oz chopped semisweet chocolate

2 dozen pretzel rods

red, white and blue sprinkles and colored sugar

 

In a glass bowl over simmering water, heat the chocolate until melted.

Dip each pretzel rod in the chocolate -about 1/4 of the top of each. Cover with sprinkles. Place the rods in glasses and put in the frig for 5 minutes to set the chocolate. Enjoy!

marthastewart.com

The US celebrates its birthday on  July 4, and lots of the celebrating takes  place near the National Mall. Here  are some of the highlights. For all of these,  plan to take Metro to any of the following stops: Metro Center,  Gallery Place-Chinatown, Judiciary Square, Federal Triangle or L’Enfant Plaza. Note that the Smithsonian stop  will be  closed on  July 4  for security reasons; however, it will open briefly to help move  folks onto trains after the fireworks display. No matter what you choose to attend, plan to go early, and be careful  of weather.

Independence Day Parade- begins at 11:45pm on Constitution Avenue and 7th or 17th Streets.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall

National Archives celebration- 10am-9pm- see one of the original copies  of the Declaration of Independence.

Independence Day Concert- SW corner of the Capital Lawn 6pm-9pm

A Capital Fourth- west lawn of the Capital- 8pm-9:30pm. Gates open at 3pm.

Fireworks!!! – beginning at 9:15pm over the Washington Monument. Rain date is July 5.

Good places to see the fireworks are the Iwo Jima Monument near the Rosslyn Metro and the Air Force Memorial near the Pentagon City Metro Stop.

VAO aupairs enjoyed a day at Six Flags, Maryland. It was hot!!!

Six aupairs enjoyed the Saturday sunshine when we toured the White House.