Celebrating

Singing is like a celebration of oxygen.
~Bjork

Hi folks! I wasn't sure I was going to be able to post today...I have been getting a lot of input and wasn't sure I could manage any output. In other words, I'm overstimulated and having a hard time concentrating. Then I thought I could tell you about a couple of things we've done lately.

For Elena's high school graduation, we sent out some blank advice cards with her announcements. They weren't completely blank -- they said things like,
"Be prepared to _____________"
"Always keep _______________"
"Don't be afraid to ____________"
It has been such fun getting them back! I included self-addressed stamped envelopes to make it easier to reply (and we only sent them to people we thought would want to do it because we didn't want to pressure anybody.)

On Dash's birthday, he was overseas and couldn't really receive presents because he was worried about being able to fit them in his suitcase (and he was going to be home the following week anyway). I didn't want to not send him anything, though, so we made a special birthday e-card. First, we made signs that each had a different word of a birthday message. Then various family members went the schools he's attended (starting with preschool!) to take photos of themselves with the signs. He didn't realize it, but his girlfriend also took a picture of herself with him in the background, so he got to be on his own card :-)

I am pretty into celebrating and it has caught on with our kids. For instance, we pick a theme for each person's birthday. My husband's birthday theme this year was The Blues Brothers, which was fun. We had a Blues Brothers concert poster up, a sign that said, "We're on a mission from God," a t-shirt for Ray's Music Exchange, a key from the Plymouth Hotel, a mini Bluesmobile, etc. Picking themes that aren't things you could find at Party City forces us be inventive.

That's all I've got for now! If you have any ideas, please share :-)