Our family loves to celebrate birthdays, but we do it in some unusual ways. My youngest daughter just turned seven, and her birthday celebration was quite typical for our family. We don’t usually have large, elaborate parties. In fact, we typically allow the kids to invite three or four friends to go to a play or a movie and then out for a treat afterwards. We also have a separate party for close family which may include sledding in the snow or playing in the sprinkler, depending on the time of year. And for the family members that are not able to be with us to celebrate, they often call on the phone during the party to let the birthday girl know she is being thought of. Yes, this is all pretty normal birthday behavior.
But our family has some unusual rituals as well. In our house, the day before your birthday is pinch day (yes, you are allowed to pinch the person – gently), the day of your birthday is spank day (one spank for every year – gently), and the day after your birthday is kiss day. Some of us enjoy “kiss day” more than others!
Another unusual ritual is “butter on the nose”. Allow me to explain. At some point during the birthday party, a family member gets a finger-full of butter (yes, the kind you put on your toast) and attempts to smear the butter on the birthday girl’s (or boy’s) nose. Strange, I know. None of us really likes having butter smeared on our noses, but we would be very hurt if the family forgot this little ritual. A birthday is not a birthday unless a terribly bad picture has been taken of you with butter smeared all over your face!
Tags : birthday rituals, family
I recently paid a visit to my grandmother. It’s a 10 hour drive to go visit her, so unfortunately, we don’t get to see her very often. Grandma is now 95 years old, and will be 96 this June, but she has the looks and presence of mind of a much younger woman. Because Grandma is wheelchair bound, she lives in a care home. My aunt recently received a questionaire from the care home asking some questions about my grandma’s life. Grandma’s only comment was, “Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone there how old I really am.” We were all so surprised by this comment, as we would be really thrilled to be her age and be in such good health. Her reasoning – “No one believes me, and they can get really nasty about it!” I just hope I have such problems when I am 95!
Tags : family, gifts
My husband is in the process of taking two classes to complete his masters degree while working full time – plus. Needless to say, this studying and working cuts into his “family” time. However, last Friday, he decided to take our two daughters out on a “date”. He took them out for breakfast at our favorite local diner, and then dropped them off at school. I have never seen my children get ready for school so fast in my life! The entire “date” took about an hour an a half. But that hour and a half meant more to all three of them than words can describe. Just one more example that gifts don’t need to be expensive or time-consuming. They just need to come from the heart.
Tags : family, gifts, time management
My daughter recently turned ten years old, and we had a small party for her this past weekend. About three months ago, our family moved to a new city, so this was the first time we have spent some extended time with her new friends. Ten years old seems to be a pivotal birthday. Cliques of friends form, and it becomes so very important for the child to “fit in” with a crowd he/she feels comfortable with. I’m pleased to say that I think she has found some very nice young ladies to hang out with.
The party was held at our home and four guests were invited. My daughter planned each minute of the party, including crafts, games, a movie, food, and free play time. (Yes, she is a “Type A” personality!) There were no fights, tears, or hurt feelings for the entire three hours. This is a major accomplishment for 10-year-old girls!
As for gifts, my daughter has obviously let her new friends know what she likes. She received some scrapbooking materials, a bookstore gift card, a purse, and a stuffed animal that you can register on-line and then play games and such on the web-site. All were excellent ideas!
Maybe for her 11th birthday our family will be ready for that all-important Sleep Over Party!
Tags : family, gifts, kids party ideas
My dad, brother, and nephews just love sporting goods stores such as Cabelas and Bass Pro Shop. You could buy them anything in those stores, and they would be thrilled!
My mother’s birthday was yesterday, and as you can read in one of my articles, Bass Pro Shop would not be her favorite store. However, when it came time to present her with her gifts, my nephew proudly announced that his gift was from the Bass Pro Shop. It was a lovely bird feeder. Then my daughter presented our gift, and announced it was also from Bass Pro Shop. It was gourmet coffee beans purchased at the coffee shop in the store. Then my dad presented his gift, a lovely coral colored top – from Cabela’s.
We all had a good laugh, and decided that gifts from a sporting goods store can make everyone happy – even Grandma!
Tags : family, gifts
My youngest daughter has finally started to loose her teeth. She has been very slow to loose her teeth, and is young for her class, so she has been feeling as if she would never be toothless like her friends.
She lost her very first tooth over Christmas, and her grandfather (better known as “Pops”) was visiting. She refused to let him pull it, even though it was hanging by a thread. But it managed to fall out anyway while he was still here. And wouldn’t you know, that tooth fairy left $5!
My parents were recently here visiting, and behold, another tooth was loose. This time she was brave enough to let Pops pull it. Once again, the tooth fairy left $5.
I have a suspicion that when the “real” tooth fairy comes back (with much less than $5), this child will quickly figure out that teeth should only fall out when Pops is in town!
Tags : family, tooth fairy