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Birthdays

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My son is obsessed with birthdays (I suppose I am too since I love to bake). The little guy is only two and his own birthday experience is quite limited (I doubt that he actually remembers his first birthday). However, he has helped celebrate many birthdays in his short two years (and nine months) … sometimes the same birthday twice! Since we have moved back to our home town where most of our extended family lives, we have had lots of birthdays to celebrate. Birthdays of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and mom and dad and himself. There is one thing … Continue reading →

Birthday Parties Can Be Fun

I know a lot of parents who dread birthday parties. They don’t like the noise, the expense, or the amount of presents. I will admit that I don’t either. I have been to some very out of control parties. Over the years the parties seem to get more and more expensive and hyper. My brother emailed a story of a family who spent over $2000 on a birthday party for their son, who was turning one! Birthday parties don’t have to break the bank though. And they can be fun though, for everyone. Or at the very least, they don’t … Continue reading →

Birthday Traditions

Since my twins turn ten tomorrow, I thought I’d share some birthday traditions. All day today I’ve been getting in my last nine year old hugs. I do this every year, it’s a fun excuse to hug and kiss the kids. I make a big deal out of their last whatever year old bath, and breakfast, and bedtime. It is just a bit of silliness that adds to the excitement of the coming birthday. And on birthdays I am quick to get in that first birthday hug and kiss, too. We’ve been busy with cakes today, too. I’ve always let … Continue reading →

Everyday Traditions – Nava Atlas

Our lives are so busy. Everyone I know is busy, particularly those of us with children. Sometimes my own family is too busy. I know it’s the little things kids treasure and remember. Things like their mom playing cards with them, or making them cinnamon toast when they are sick, or giving their stuffed animals a kiss goodnight. Everyday Traditions: Simple Family Rituals for Connection and Comfort by Nava Atlas reinforces my belief that it’s the little things that matter. In fact she elevates those little things to be more than little things. The cinnamon toast becomes a sick day … Continue reading →

“Basketball Chicken” and other Family Traditions

Strong, functioning families have their own traditions and special identifiers. I’m not talking just about holidays and birthdays here—but those little daily things—sayings, secret nicknames and language, and activities that are unique to your family that all help to identify and bond a family together. After nearly twenty years, our little family has all sorts of things that are unique to our family. Whenever a new person gets to know us well and becomes an “insider,” they are indoctrinated into our special sayings, the history of nicknames, created recipes, and other “secret” details. Since we’ve been through a divorce and … Continue reading →

What Can You Do Instead of Birthday Presents?

Earlier this month, I wrote about how birthday parties can get out of control. In “Whose Birthday Party is it, Anyway?” I wrote about all the ways that we can lose perspective and how birthday parties can get hijacked by different parties until we forget who the celebration is supposed to be for. One of the ways that birthdays can get out of hand is by putting too much pressure on gift giving and getting. Have you ever considered starting a new family ritual and coming up with activities or other things to do INSTEAD of focusing on birthday presents? … Continue reading →

Musings on an 18th Birthday

My eldest child turns 18 today. It is a strange, momentous occasion for the both of us. Last night when I was talking to her I said, “It’s not every day that a person turns 18!” and she countered with, “Well, in fact it IS everyday that people turn 18.” Of course I meant that it was not every day that SHE turned 18 or that one of my children turned 18, but she had a bit more of a global perspective on things. Regardless, neither one of us can ignore that this one is a very big deal. When … Continue reading →

Tea Party Birthday Parties

Tea party themed birthday parties can be loads of fun, and aren’t hard to put together. For invitations consider a teacup-shaped card with a string and tag attached mimicking a tea bag. You can write your party details on the tag and on the cup. Dressing up is the most fun part. You can invite your guest to come dressed up, or consider it a party activity. Position a mirror in the party room so the girls can see how they look. Provide boas, tiaras, and loads and loads of beaded necklaces and bracelets. Thrift stores and garage sales are … Continue reading →

Family Unity

Families are a central part of the gospel. The family is the basic unit for the gospel, and all the activities in the church are supposed to support family unity. It can be difficult to build family unity in your own family. Here are some basic ways to help your family to be closer to each other and to form strong bonds. 1) Do the basics that the church leaders have counseled. This includes family prayer and scripture study and family home evening. These are great tools that will help to build family unity. 2) It is a good idea … Continue reading →

New Year’s Resolution

It’s that time of year again where we make promises we often don’t keep in effort to improve ourselves (or others) in one way or another. Every year I think about what I’m going to challenge myself to accomplish. Some people decide to join a workout or weight loss program and others think about getting their finances in order. I know there are many who plan to read the whole Bible in a year as well. There are countless things to commit to doing or changing. This year I really hope will be different for most. I think the best … Continue reading →