Not Your Average Birthday Party

Last year when we planned a joint birthday party for the girls at Skate City, I swore that never again would I do a big birthday party. Never again would I do a joint birthday party.  

But then they asked to pack meals for Kids Against Hunger at their birthday party.  What could I say?  The more the merrier!

And so we planned this party.  And it was awesome.

They each invited roughly 10 friends, for a total of 22 kids at the party.  We suggested to their friends that in lieu of gifts, that maybe they could bring a cash donation instead to put towards meals that we would pack for Kids Against Hunger.  We told their friends that 25¢ packs one meal, which feeds about 6 people. 

So when kids arrived, Gary gently explained to these 6-9 year olds that hundreds and hundreds of kids around the world die of hunger every day.  He explained that we have it so good here, and that no only do we get to eat three meals a day, but we get snacks in between.  And not only do we get to eat those three meals a day and snacks in between, but it's yummy, different food all the time.  The meals we would be packing might be the only food a kid their age might eat that day.  And they might get the same exact thing tomorrow.  

Gary went on to show them the meal packing process:  two tables would be in charge of filling the bags with rice, soy, vitamins, and dried veggies.

Are you loving Addie's style here?  Hat OVER the hairnet... only Addie.

After that hey would pass it to the middle table who would weigh it and add enough rice to equal about 395 grams.  The weighers would pass it to the sealers who would press extra air out of the bag and seal it shut.

The sealers passed the completed bags to the back table who would pound it flat and put it in the box.  When the box was full (36 bags per box), it was taped shut, set aside, and the next box was opened to be filled.  

I was SO PROUD of these kids for working for an hour straight without complaining or stopping!  They were all so excited and worked together so well.  I think they "got it" too - I heard many conversations about helping others and amazement that this is what some people eat.  And despite it not being your usual birthday party with games and fun activities, I saw lots of smiles and heard lots of laughing.  Love.

At the end of the hour, these awesome kids managed to pack about 2,000 meals for hungry kids!!!  This is the best birthday present that we could give to others to celebrate my girls' birthday!  I was so thankful to the Lord for the generosity of my kids' friends (and their families) for providing the money to help kids across the world.  I'm telling you, this was much better than getting another toy to be set aside and forgotten.  It helped spark conversations in our family about needs vs. wants.

The kids sitting on top of the boxes of food they packed!

In keeping with the non-traditional birthday party idea, we headed to the backyard for s'mores and hot chocolate instead of birthday cake.  The perfect ending to a slightly chilly afternoon!  We also prepared one of the meals for the kids to taste.  I was surprised by the response - half hated it and half loved it, with a few even asking for seconds!

A BIG THANK YOU to the parents who supported the vision of this birthday party by letting your kids come, to the moms who stayed to lend an extra hand, and to Karen Dittman with Kids Against Hunger who helped us out.  And especially to my hubby who ran the show so well and taught these kids how to care for others.

But mostly, thanks to God for giving my girls such giving, sensitive little hearts.  I'm so proud of them.

Wanna do a Kids Against Hunger birthday party or event?  

Click here to find a location near you!

Five Ways We Celebrate Birthdays

I really want birthdays to be a big deal in our family.  It's the one day a year designated for celebrating someone, and I want my kids growing up knowing that we're so glad they were born!  

But let me be honest:  all of the lofty, amazingly executed, creative ideas on Pinterest are intimidating.  I can't do it all, especially with four kids with back-to-back birthdays (two birthdays five days apart in August and two birthdays two weeks apart in October/November).  So aside from the usual party, cake and ice cream, we have a few traditions that our kids look forward to and that are easy to do.  

1.  Decorate their door:  My kids KNOW they're going to wake up to streamers and balloons on their door, but they always act so surprised.  One look at Pinterest, and it's clear this could be very cute and extravagant.  But here, it's always done at the midnight hour, just as I'm going to bed and see their naked door.  (I'm not a planner.)  But it only takes a few minutes to whip up a cute sign for their door and tape up a few streamers.  (Confession:  These streamers were leftover from last weekend's birthday party, and I moved them from downstairs to her bedroom door at midnight.)  Instant party on their birthday morning!

2.  Kisses:  When we tuck in our kids on their birthday eve, we make a point of telling them it's the last time we'll kiss them as an (8) year old.  And they know that we'll sneak in and give them the first kiss as a (9) year old right after midnight.  Last night when I snuck in to kiss Emma, she woke up and smiled, and hugged me. In the sweetest, most heartfelt way, she said, "I love you, Mama!"  Melt me.

3.  Breakfast with Dad:  If it's not a weekend (in which case we'll make cinnamon rolls with sprinkles and a candle), Daddy takes the birthday kid to the place of their choice for breakfast before school/work.  Addie's choice on her last birthday?  The gas station for Hostess donuts and chocolate milk.  Livin' large at age seven.

4.  Birthday Dinner:  I tell our kids that I can make whatever they want for dinner, or we can go to the restaurant of their choice for birthday dinner.  I can't remember the last time I made dinner on their birthdays... happy birthday to ME!  ;)  

5.  Desktop Picture:  This is a new tradition that I love!  Addie had the idea last month when it was her birthday month.  For their entire birthday month, the desktop picture on my computer is of the birthday kid.  I love it and so do they!  Every time we open the computer together to do email, homework, look at pictures, play games... they light up when they see themselves and know it's their month to celebrate.  It's been so fun!

Happy birthday to my sweet Emmaline Grace.  Nine years old today! I can't believe it.

Flea Market Adventure

We were looking for something new and different to do with the kids last weekend and stumbled across the idea to go to the Mile High Flea Market.  I grew up seeing commercials for it on TV and hear random mentions of it all the time, but have never been.  So off we went!

We took a pit stop at Krispy Kreme on the way.  Glazed donuts.  'nuff said.

I've decided that the Mile High Flea Market is definitely the ultimate destination if you're in the market for tight, blingy jeans, or for toy guns, or for shoes and purses.  Those were the things I kept seeing over and over again.  (And lingerie!!!  Who buys lingerie at a flea market?!)

But there were also other treasures too...

And there was a whole section filled with fresh fruit and veggies.  I'd just spent a rockin' night at the grocery store the night before (seriously - goodbye Muzak, hello Axl Rose and Ozzy Osbourne on the overhead speakers), so we were all set on our produce, but it sure was pretty!

Just when the kids were majorly let down when had to break it to them that there weren't actually fleas there (I think they were thinking flea circus), we walked down the row with the carnival rides, and all was well with the world.

We tried to tell them this is just like the Carsland ride at Disneyland...

I thought it was tons of fun.  It was a great place for people watching, there were great snacks for sale at every turn (churros, funnel cakes, kettle corn - quality!), and there really were great treasures tucked away everywhere you looked.  We got a few super cute headbands for the girls for cheap!  

I want to go back!  Who wants to come with me?

Thirteen Reasons

Today marks thirteen years since Gary and I said "I do."

What happened to those young kids?

It's been a GREAT thirteen years, and I can honestly say that I can't think of anyone better suited for me to do life with.  It's been a fun thirteen years, but not easy all the time.  But we know that marriage requires work and effort, and I think it's knowing that and doing that that has made it work.  We've been rewarded with so many blessings from God, and a ton of fun through the years.

Long story short:  we started dating, got engaged on our 3-month anniversary, and got married 4 1/2 short months later.  Not exactly a recipe for success!  But we've been committed since day one and have never, ever looked back.

I LOVE THIS MAN!

Thirteen reasons I'm glad I married Gary:

1.  He's ridiculously cute.  C'mon!

2.  I knew he'd make a great Daddy one day.  And it turns out he's an awesome one.

3.  He loves Jesus and wants others to also.

4.  He regularly takes me to Kauai.

5.  He works so hard for our family - a responsibility he takes very seriously.

6.  He embraces and supports my crazy ideas.

7.  He's good with numbers.  Me?  Not so much.  I'm good with words.  He... has other strengths.  :)  We balance each other out and make a good team!

8.  He's adventurous and pushes me to do crazy things.

9.  He's from California, so we have a pretty sweet place to go on vacation!

10.  I love his family - I have awesome in-laws!!!

11.  He makes me feel safe.

12.  He's good at EVERYTHING.  No, seriously -- e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.    It can be intimidating, but mostly it makes me so proud.

13.   He makes me think through things, and pushes me to be better.

I can't imagine life without this guy.  I'm the luckiest girl in the world.