Big Families & How They Do It: Birthdays

Birthdays are a big deal around here. And they come often. Monthly, in fact. With the exception of May, we have a birthday or two every month from January to August. We started off having a party for each child for each birthday, like most other families. However, as our family grew, the number of parties became burdensome; to us and our friends! Who wants to throw or attend a party each and nearly every single month for eight months?

We began having simple, family only parties on each child's birthday. No pressure, no huge undertaking, just fun little parties. One year, each child got a fun little scavenger hunt that led to their gift. We also did a BIG 'once a year' party to invite friends. Then we began to decline presents from friends at the party, as we neither needed or really wanted any more stuff. The kids chose an organization to donate cash gifts to instead, and themed the party around that. We had a VOM "Balloons to North Korea" benefit party and one for God's Littlest Angels Orphanage in Haiti. These types of parties were a blessing to all involved and to others as well!

One year we took our friends to Pump It Up, an indoor bouncy-house gymnasium. We allowed gifts this time, asking in the announcement that they stay to the chosen theme of Legos. By offering a gift theme, we were able to avoid toys that would not fit well in our family and instead, we were able to build a well-loved collection that is used all the time.

One year, the children decided that they would like a cash present. Since they generally don't get a lot of cash, we went with it. Each child got cash along with a small gift and was able to save or spend it as they wished (with guidance, of course).

More recently, we simply have family parties for the birthday child on their day. I am entertaining the idea of another big party, as it's been a couple of years since our last one. I like changing it up and doing something different each year. I'll be entering into talks with the Lambies to get their ideas. Since birthday season is January through August, so we've not a whole lot of time until the first one.

What are your birthday celebrations like? Please share! Then click the button below to go to Clark Chatter and see the linky for other birthday party related posts.

www.clarkchatter.blogspot.com

OCC Portrait

We had a family picture taken for Operation Christmas Child today at church. We're packing a couple of boxes and sending them on their way, along with a note and a picture. Have you plans to participate in OCC? It's a wonderful way to celebrate Thanksgiving by actually giving!

Helpful Kitchen Charts

I often joke that my brain is full of holes; that I forget anything not written down somewhere. It's not really a joke. I remember important things like my Lambies' names, but little things can escape me if I'm not careful.



Like what temperature means chicken is done? What kind of salad green is in season this month? How many cups of grain do I need to grind to make X amount of flour? How do I use this gadget again? Where's the spare battery for the digital thermometer?





Well, for easy reference, I thought to make copies of some kitchen charts I liked and/or needed and I taped them inside my cupboards. I refer to them often and freed up brain space at the same time!







When the cupboards are closed, there's no cluttery mess yet I have the info I need at a moments notice. It works for me!

ETA: You can click the pictures for a bigger view. I tried to get clear enough pics so you could read the charts. Hopefully they'll be helpful info for someone on them!

The Costumed Crew

Here's the Crew in costume for Halloween. What a great bunch of loonies!

Happy Autumn!

We are in full swing with autumn activities. Watching and cheering for our favorite football teams, making lots and lots of applesauce and apple jams, butters and jellies, beginning the seasonal canning of beans, soups and stews, waiting anxiously for the leaves to finally turn and fall, so they can be played in...

We are done with our first term of school. We're going to be on 'vacation' for a week or two, meaning that one big job around the house gets done each day, then everyone has free time. The main jobs on the docket: The Great Clothes Swap, featuring a thinning of clothes this year, Cleaning Bedrooms to the Edges and Corners, including closets and under the beds, a thinning and organizing of the library, including pictures when done, shampooing of the carpets of the living room and family room and a scrubbing and bleaching of kitchen counter grout. I'd sure like concrete counter tops! The Lambies are hoping for a fresh coat of paint on their bedroom walls. We will see. That seems to be a job that needs more time than we will have.

What's been keeping you busy?

Wascally Wabbit!

Troubles decided he wanted to pretend to be a rabbit this afternoon. He drew, colored and cut out wabbit ears, whiskers and a cute nose/mouth combo. He put the ears on with his sister's headband and taped the whiskers and nose to his face. He hopped about for a half an hour or so before he tired of his game.

Shoe~a~palooza

One of today's to-do's was to organize the show closet. Here are all the shoes that were in there paired up and ready to be sorted.



Ahh....life in a large family!

Fall Garden

Fall was in the air, the last few weeks. Not so much this week, I have to say! I planted peas, three types of lettuce, and spinach two weeks ago. I have been seeing pea-sprouting goodness the last few days! The lettuce should peek up soon.



Aren't they cute?



These are "Dwarf Gray Sugar Peas". I bought them from Azure Standard.



The package claims that they date back to before 1773. They are 24"-30" high and produce beautiful purple blossoms. They then turn into pale green pods that are stringless and fiber-free. NO STAKING REQUIRED! Plant 1" apart. They are ready to harvest in 59-65 days.

Don't they sound like the best? However, I did find this post about them...

Our tomatoes are going strong still, too.

We've got plenty of 'maters still, which is so nice for salads. We have 100's of green ones ripening, too. They make me happy!

I will be planting more lettuce and spinach, and maybe some radishes and green beans in the next few days. I am looking forward to freshly harvested greens again soon!

TOH Score!

Look at what I found on Saturday! I went to the twice annual Friends of the Library sale in the next town over. Besides 87 childrens books, I found these. Taste of Home is the one magazine I had a subscription to and enjoyed. I have since let it go, but have kept all the issues. Now I have these! They are annual compilations of the magazines. At just $1 each, how could I pass them up? I am looking forward to a relaxing afternoon of browsing, menu planning and football. I am so excited for some new ideas!

Fall Birthdays: Part One

My dear GirlofGod recently celebrated her 13th birthday! On the thirteenth birthday, in addition to hosting a sleepover, the birthday child gets to have a date with Dad and Mom. She chose to go miniature golfing and go cart driving. Isn't she beautiful?!



She golfs and drives pretty well, too. I was blessed to be able to play the role of passenger in the car. I was only a little white-knuckled.



This is my favorite picture of the day!



Happy birthday, Dear One!