Valentine's Day, Birthdays, "Days" in general
Those of you that know me or have read some of those Christmas entries probably already know that we're a little low key. We don't expend a whole lot of effort into holidays, special days, etc. We do small birthday dinners with close family and some days, like Valentine's day this year, we just completely ignore. M. and I are cool with this.
However, this is a certain almost 3 year old in our household now that likes to make a BIG DEAL out of special days. She has been talking about her birthday since MY birthday. Every day she asks me if it's her birthday. She pretends to make birthday cakes, puts candles on them and asks me to blow them out. When she got Valentine's cards/gifts from her daycare friends on Tuesday, she was so excited. And guess who felt like an absolute donkey's butt? I totally blanked on the exchange of "valentines." She wasn't there for the party, so she didn't experience being there with nothing to give her friends, but when I saw that bag of stuff she got from all the other kids, oh my gosh, I felt like such a loser! The social pressure of what those other parents must think about N's Mom... ack!
Then I read some other blogs (megan) about the cute stuff they did for Valentine's Day, or greg's blog about the cake his wife made their son for his birthday. It started me thinking. . . M. and I like to call it low key, but let's call it what it is, people... it's LAZY. It's also airhead! I honestly just don't think about these things. I need a personal assistant to remind me what normal people do with kids for things like this because it simply does not even enter my realm of thought. And I don't want N. to have to pay for my ditziness.
So, I'm trying to wrap my head around approaching these little special days differently. Why not make them special? Why not look forward to them? Why not get the kids excited and decorate paper with hearts and cook special meals, and for crying out loud, the extra desserts are definitely enticing! Why not? Yes, it will require me to PLAN and USE MY HEAD. Two things I openly admit to completely sucking at, but I really feel convinced that I must make the effort.
So, what's coming up that needs celebrating?? We're celebrating M and N's birthday on Sunday, March 15th. I want to do it better than just preparing food. Maybe we'll actually have a theme, or actual decorations, or, good grief, maybe I'll go all crazy with some balloons!
After that, it's St. Patrick's Day (N.'s real birthday), Easter, what... what else do other people celebrate? Clue me in!
However, this is a certain almost 3 year old in our household now that likes to make a BIG DEAL out of special days. She has been talking about her birthday since MY birthday. Every day she asks me if it's her birthday. She pretends to make birthday cakes, puts candles on them and asks me to blow them out. When she got Valentine's cards/gifts from her daycare friends on Tuesday, she was so excited. And guess who felt like an absolute donkey's butt? I totally blanked on the exchange of "valentines." She wasn't there for the party, so she didn't experience being there with nothing to give her friends, but when I saw that bag of stuff she got from all the other kids, oh my gosh, I felt like such a loser! The social pressure of what those other parents must think about N's Mom... ack!
Then I read some other blogs (megan) about the cute stuff they did for Valentine's Day, or greg's blog about the cake his wife made their son for his birthday. It started me thinking. . . M. and I like to call it low key, but let's call it what it is, people... it's LAZY. It's also airhead! I honestly just don't think about these things. I need a personal assistant to remind me what normal people do with kids for things like this because it simply does not even enter my realm of thought. And I don't want N. to have to pay for my ditziness.
So, I'm trying to wrap my head around approaching these little special days differently. Why not make them special? Why not look forward to them? Why not get the kids excited and decorate paper with hearts and cook special meals, and for crying out loud, the extra desserts are definitely enticing! Why not? Yes, it will require me to PLAN and USE MY HEAD. Two things I openly admit to completely sucking at, but I really feel convinced that I must make the effort.
So, what's coming up that needs celebrating?? We're celebrating M and N's birthday on Sunday, March 15th. I want to do it better than just preparing food. Maybe we'll actually have a theme, or actual decorations, or, good grief, maybe I'll go all crazy with some balloons!
After that, it's St. Patrick's Day (N.'s real birthday), Easter, what... what else do other people celebrate? Clue me in!
posted by Erin at 9:12 AM
5 Comments:
I'm still not great at it, and there aren't kids in the picture yet, but i haven't missed a family birthday in a year now!
this book totally rocked my world: it's kinda nerdy and a ton of work to implement the system, but i'm a productivity machine now.
http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0142000280
jim and i didn't do anything exciting for valentine's day either, if that makes you feel any better. i told him i just wanted a bunch of those flowers at cosco that i always walk past and want. and a card. then we hung out with friends, who clearly aren't into v-day either. then jim got called into work.
oh well.
I think children need to celebrate. It creates hope and anticipation and it teaches them how to make things special and to celebrate joy. I think "holiday's coming to life" help them develop in faith also... That's why I particpate in Lent now...it gives a sense of expectation and wonder.
Good post...and let all your creative juices flow. Because, WHY NOT? Life is too short to just exist without celebration, of chocolate cake for that matter. ha!
I'm going to be your holiday accountability, just because that's what sisters can do... asked for or not. :)
I found your blog from Lindsay's blog. I love this stuff! Back to your question, I've always had kids over and we dye eggs and have Easter egg hunts galore! Nadia will love it. (Question-- Why do kids LOVE to find Easter eggs, but HATE to find their missing shoes?) Also, take Nadia and Caleb to Penney's or Walmart photograhers to get Easter-themed pictures taken. They are pretty cheap and they usually do a good job. This will give the illusion that you are REALLY on the ball as far as holidays are concerned!
love, amy
Check out Family Fun magazine... they are even online. They always have lots of great ideas for parties and holidays which greatly helps me as I am not at all creative, though I do love celebrating!
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