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Make a Memory {Curse of the Summer Birthday Pancake Breakfast}

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Here we are, week 3 of the Make a Memory series. Each Monday now through the end of August I will feature a special family tradition from one of my favorite bloggers. It is so important to create lasting memories with our families and this will be a fun way to get ideas for fun traditions we can start with our own families. So let’s dive right in and see how Holly from 504 Main and her family make a memory!


“The Curse of The Summer Birthday” Pancake Breakfast

I am just lovin’ all the fabulous ideas on Make a Memory (and looking forward to the great ones to coming)! Thanks Michelle for inviting me to participate!

I remember so many things from my childhood with such fondness, and I just hope my children do too.

I am trying…

here’s how we are making a memory and celebrating birthdays in our house this summer!

I have cursed not just one, but both of my children!

See no playing favorites here! Both of my kiddos have summer birthdays.

Growing up, I remember the excitement of going to school on my birthday and my mom bringing in donuts and getting to be “the birthday girl.”

But, guess what…my kids will never experience that. They won’t get that birthday excitement at school…I know that’s life…much more tragic events could happen. But…

Being the top notch mom I am, I had to come up with something to make up for this lameness that will haunt them throughout their school years.

And so was born

“The Curse of the Summer Birthday” Pancake Breakfast

A few years ago, I decided that a couple of days a year (i.e. 2 birthdays) I could be a morning person, (No really, come to my house at 2 am, and it is all good. Come at 8 am and watch out!) so my kiddos could start their birthday days off with a BANG or better yet, a pancake.

Yes, some friends are still on vacation, yes, it is not the whole class, but load a kid up with pancakes – chocolate chip ones no less – cocoa and possibly some bacon and then keep the fun coming all day…and you have a happy kid.
Here’s what I did:
1. The night before I set up my 6′ long tables. I used them low so the kids could sit on the floor. So, do not stand them up on their legs, just perch each table on 2 crates/sturdy boxes. Of course cover them in a fun tablecloth (I have a stash or Twin XL sheets from Target that I use for this purpose – go buy them in August/September after the big kids head off to college…when they are on clearance).

2. Decorate if you want – I am a lame mom who does not “do it up” for parties (anymore) – my wedding planner days ruined me. Sometimes a pretty flower or two and a balloon – the point is not the decor, the point is all their friends eating pancakes together to celebrate a birthday!

3. Invite all the kids over in their PJ’s…and tell them to come hungry!

4. Here’s the bad part – mom has to get up early and start making those pancakes. I usually make pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes, traditional pancakes and chocolate chip pancakes (really, can you have enough pancakes?). Sometimes I add in blueberries and raspberries as options.

5. And then eat, and eat, and play, and have fun and enjoy being the birthday kid.

(I usually plan an activity or two – a couple of crafts and maybe an outdoor activity.)

It is really an easy celebration to pull off and gives the kids a little extra something on their birthdays.

We’ve made it a tradition…

Because their birthdays aren’t changing, now are they?

Signature

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Thanks Michelle for having me! What a wonderful idea for a series!

Come on by and say hi at Main Street – 504 Main that is…There’s all kinds of crafting and DIYing over there. I also cook, bake, and chat about other fun stuff…

like my crazy busy life and my 2 kiddos!

504 Main

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And all this time I thought I had cursed my kiddos with the winter birthdays so they never get to have the fun parties outside. I guess once they are in school they will get to be spotlighted. I had a summer birthday and I do remember it was a bummer to not get cupcakes at school. Especially since mine was always right after we got out for summer break. A big thanks to Holly for such a fun idea for making a Memory!

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Make a Memory {Dates for Kids}

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Here we are, week 2 of the Make a Memory series. Each Monday now through the end of August I will feature a special family tradition from one of my favorite bloggers. It is so important to create lasting memories with our families and this will be a fun way to get ideas for fun traditions we can start with our own families. So let’s get started and see how Stacy from Not Just a Housewife and her family make a memory!

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I am tired of being the “mean” one. I make the kids do their homework, I make them do their jobs, I break up fights, I send them to time out, I take away privileges, I threaten, I make them hug when they are mean to each other, I make them clean their room (everyday), etc. I think you get the idea.

And my husband? He comes home from work and wrestles and plays with them until it is time to go to bed. So in an effort to be considered some what fun and nice I instituted a new tradition that my kids have named their “special day”.

Every Saturday I take one of the kids and we do some activity of their choice. The only stipulation is that is can’t cost a lot of money. We spend part of the day having some quality one on one time. We have been doing this for about a year now and I have to say I think it has improved my relationship with my kids.

Some of the things we have done are: ice cream cones at McDonald’s, the park, feeding the duck at the local pond, picnics, going up the canyon, visiting the “cowboy” store (Cal-Ranch), a trip to the local garden center, and catching butterflies with a butterfly net in the fields by Grandma’s house. My oldest boy is the first, then we take turns down the line. Pretty much whatever my oldest picks to do the others want to do for their day. So I have done some of those things 3 times!

It takes an effort to remember and to set aside the time to do it. But I would highly recommend it. My kids look forward to it and start planning their day weeks in advance. It gives us a chance to have some much needed one on one time where we can really talk. Sometimes we are just silly the whole time. I don’t think it matters what you do. The point is they feel valued because you took the time to be with them. I am still primarily the mean one, but at least now they know I CAN be fun!

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I am so going to start this with my 3 year old. Since little brother came along we have lost a lot of our mom and son fun time. It is usually mom take the baby and Dad take Aiden. I love this plan to set aside one on one time! Thanks for the great way to make a memory Stacy!

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Oh and just in case you missed it, Alison over on Oopsey Daisy is doing a super fun summer camp series full of guest posters sharing ideas inspired by children’s books.

Guess who the guest was last Friday? Hmmm, you guessed it. ME! Grab yer mateys and walk the plank on over to see me ideas for a pirate play date! Here’s a sneak peak…

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EuUk__Xfe-Q/TeVv2N3VhZI/AAAAAAAAGLo/Dey_yM_C-4Y/s1600/boat%2Bcollage.jpg

There’s a treasure trove of fun for yer little land lubbers where that came from so follow this map (aka link) to find a wealth of ideas.

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Make a Memory {4th of July Parade}

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I am so excited to kick off our “Make a Memory” series today! Each Monday now through the end of August I will feature a special family tradition from one of my favorite bloggers. It is so important to create lasting memories with our families and this will be a fun way to get ideas for fun traditions we can start with our own families. So let’s get started and see how Shelley from How Does She and her family make a memory!

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The 4th of July is possibly one of my top favorite holidays. Family, food, water, fireworks, cute outfits to put the kids in,…it’s simply a fun holiday {not to mention the beautiful significance of celebrating our freedom}. This past year we had several small children around my home during the 4th of July. We thought of all the fun things we COULD, but probably SHOULDN’T, do with the toddlers: Sparklers {too risky}, Big Fire Work Show {too late}, 4th of July Parade {we’d lose the kids}. I was starting to feel a little ‘gyped’ until my Mother-in-law took control of the events. Now, HANDS DOWN, I can say my very favorite 4th of July memory was created this past year, in front of my little house, with a simple, hilarious, homemade celebration.

My Mother-in-law decided to bring the events to us. Who needs to go to a 4th of July Parade when the parade can literally come to your neighborhood?!

After buying all sorts of inexpensive decorations for the children to decorate their bikes and scooters with, the kids got to work. This was going to be one parade to remember.

They were so proud of their creations and were ready to celebrate in style.

The children then proceeded to line up on the neighborhood sidewalk.

But wait! We needed a “drum major” to lead the parade. My sweet husband stepped up and took responsibility. {Yes, he is a dork and yes, that is a mop} 😉

One of the uncles hopped in the car, opened the doors, BLARED patriotic music, and drove slowly next to the kids as they walked on the sidewalk. It didn’t take long until our neighbors started opening their doors, other kids started following, and people started clapping. Hilarious! The kids felt so special and thought it was a SERIOUS PARADE. What a priceless priceless memory!

I can’t wait to make this a family tradition. Wait, a NEIGHBORHOOD tradition. Can you just see it?! Send out an invitation to participate, have all the neighborhood kids decorate their bikes, and have a line up of adorable patriotic kids?! There is no way a million dollar firework show could beat this event.

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The husband with the mop is killin’ me! What an awesome dad. We do something similar at our 4th of July family reunion and the kids have a blast! I love the idea of doing it through the neighborhood and letting other kids join in! So much fun and definitely something the kids will remember!

Join us next Monday for another great way to make a memory!

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“Thinking of You” Bags for When Parents Travel

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We have a tradition in my family of leaving little gifts for the kids when one or both of the parents travel. My parents used to leave them for us when we were little and I loved it, so it is a tradition that I love continuing for my little ones. It helps them know you are thinking of them even though you are away. I am headed to the Creative Estates conference on Thursday, so I wanted to leave a little something for my guys.

I went with black bags and tags (download them free here) to number them tied with garden twine so they wouldn’t be too girly.

They get to open one per day from the day I leave to the day I fly home.

Now for the contents…

Day 1: Binkies for the baby & personalized cds

Note:

Being away from you “sucks!” Here’s mommy singing some of your favorites to keep you company while I’m gone.

I took my kids favorite books and songs and made them each a cd with me reading/singing to them. That yellow book is from when I was a kid, you can see it is well loved.

I do not have a great singing voice, but it is what they hear every day, so they will like it anyway. It was super easy and went a lot faster than I thought it would using the sound recorder on my laptop. (I recorded nearly 40 different songs/stories during naptime) I was too self-conscious to listen to how I sounded. I just kept recording until I was done.

I figured this would buy daddy some time at bed time. He can put one in bed listening to their cd while he tucks in the other.

Day 2: Toy Story 2, popcorn, binkie clips

Note:

Today is the “2”nd day of my trip! I wish I could be there to “hold” you! “Pop” in this movie for a fun Friday night!

Day 3: Spiderman puzzle, S’more fish, Video from mom (emailed to dad)

Note:

By now I am missing you lots! Check the “web” for “s’more” messages from Mom!

Day 4: Wooden monster toy, Star Wars fruit snacks

Note:

Today, Mommy comes home, she does! Little “monsters” for Dad I hope you have not been.

The treats came from food storage (hey, you stock up on what’s important) and the toys came from my stockpile closet where I store things I buy from the dollar store or on clearance for holidays, earning with behavior chart, or times like these.

I can’t wait for them to start opening their bags!

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The winner of the Tangled Blu-ray is…

Adam Winter Family said… My daughter would so love to have the Tangled movie. She wanted it the day it came out, but I want her to wait for the Easter bunny. I will be giving it to her for Easter cause she is in love with that movie. She said she’d grow her hair just as long and it would be all over the house. It would be great if the Easter bunny could get it for free. Thanks.
Crystal

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