My oldest turns 10 this week – Double Digits. In anticipation, he's been educating the two youngest on the Intricacies of Being a 'Tween. Every morning you'll find him coming up with new “rules” or facts about what 10-year-olds like or dislike, do or don't do.

He started out by telling them he would be spending more time in his room. He said he'd most likely start watching much less of channels like Sprout with them. He explained that he, instead, would be up for more mature fare, such as movies for 'Tweens like Jump In.

He told them he might... more

When I was going through the home study process, my social worker told me to read several books about adoption. One of these books talked about birthdays being a sad time for adopted children. According to the author, for children placed for adoption as a newborn, a child's birthday is also the day that his birthmother "abandoned" him. The author said to keep an eye out for bad behavior around a child's birthday because this could indicate that a child is struggling with adoption issues. The child might... more

My son recently had a birthday. He attends a Montessori school, where birthdays are a really big deal.

Montessori schools have an entire program set up for birthday celebrations. The children sit in a big circle. In the middle of the circle is something to represent the sun. Index cards with the months of the year are placed around the sun. The birthday child holds a globe and circles the sun to represent one year of his life. Meanwhile, the class sings a song about each year. The child stops after each year, and the parent shares stories and pictures of the child... more

Today is a birthday day at our house!

What do you do to celebrate birthdays at your house? I’ve found that birthday traditions are an important way of bonding a family together. My adopted children, in particular, seem to respond to our birthday celebrations – once it “happens to them”, it helps to cement their belonging in our family.

Traditions bring families together. The funny thing is that it doesn’t even have to be a positive “tradition” to bring families together! Even a neutral thing that happens the... more

Last Friday was my 39th birthday… my first birthday as a Mom. I can’t even begin to tell you how special it was to celebrate with my husband & daughter. You know us Sagittarius gals are sensitive; we get sentimental and weepy over the smallest things. As a former infertile I would dread my birthdays. From the age 29 and on I would say “ well for sure by my next birthday I will certainly be a Mom” anyone who has struggled with their biological clock can relate to the pain & frustration of getting older and feeling as if your time is running out faster than... more

The Birthday Party went off without a hitch. Our friends & Family came to help us make our daughters first birthday home a memorable one. The doll cake was a breeze to make. I loved every minute of planning & throwing her party. I have three nieces, three nephews and two great nieces and I have been to many a birthday party over the years. It was nice to finally be the other end. I’m the Mom now. I was the one passing out the cake & goody bags. The best part of yesterday was seeing My Mom & Livi together. My Mom is a softy…..I see her melt with... more

My Baby turns two on Friday. This will be the first birthday we get to celebrate with her.I can’t tell you how excited I am. I may be just a teeny tiny, eensy weensy, little bit living vicariously through her. About 25 people will be coming over to our humble bungalow on Saturday to celebrate. That’s if everyone invited shows up. This party business is work let me tell you. There is cleaning, shopping, baking, list making, goody bag making… Oh My. I have lists upon lists. Even my lists have lists. I have to dig out & clean the punch bowl for the princess... more

I’m in the midst of planning a Birthday Party for my daughter. She will be turning two years old. It’s the first birthday we will be celebrating with her. I went to a Party Store the other day just to browse and goodness gracious I had no idea how extravagant one can get with birthday stuff. There were several themes, gadgets, decorations, coordinating dinnerware and party favors. I see a piñata and think ohhh that would be fun…but she is only two.

That seems to be the saving grace. God help me next year. It’s so easy to... more