an article to share....

SIMPLE GIFTS

By Sharen Pearson

As a mother of five and now grandmother of seven, I’ve planned my share of birthday events. I am a creative person, so my problem is “going over the top.” My expectations supersede those of the birthday child. So, I have to step back and say, “Whose birthday is it anyway?” And, therein lies the key to a successful birthday party.

 

I recently assisted with my grandson, Waylon’s party. He was reaching that big-boy age of 5 years. He knew what theme he wanted: Herbie the Love Bug. He wanted a backyard campfire and a cake with Herbie on it. Simple—Herbie, campfire, cake. Got it! My daughter complied. She invited a few families from church that Waylon knew well and was comfortable around. Since entire families were represented, parents were there to help with crowd control. Bowls of chips and dip provided a place to gather around as people arrived. Children scattered to play in the back yard, parents grouped to watch and chat. Easy, huh? Daddy lit a small fire in the campfire ring in the yard. More talk, more easy playing. The cake was a simple giant chocolate chip cookie with a frosting “Herbie.” Waylon thought it was wonderful.

Mommy announced that it was gift-opening time and everyone pulled up lawn chairs and sat in family groups. Waylon sat in the middle of the circle on the grass and guests watched as he opened each gift and thanked the giver. He received many nice gifts, but to everyone’s delight, a small, inexpensive VW bug toy car was his favorite. He opened it, raised it above his head as if it were a trophy and yelled in delight. Waylon slept with his “Herbie;” woke up and greeted it; placed it on the edge of the tub so he could see it. He had the birthday he wanted. Simple party, simple gift, simple fun!

Some suggestions to consider when planning your party:

• If your child is old enough to have input, allow it.

• For ages 1-5 years, simple is best. Simple decorations, simple food, simple games.

• Invite only one party guest per age of the child. Young children are very intimidated by many children of the same age. Remember, “Whose birthday is it?”

• If guests include family/friends with older children, add activities especially for them.

• Home is the best place for children ages 5 and under. Big party venues are confusing, scary and do not position the “birthday child” as the center of attention as he should be.

Some traps that parents fall into:

• Making the party so complicated that you, as the parent, no longer enjoy it. (Been there, done that.)

• Allowing young party guests to get close to and grab for gifts as as the birthday child is opening them. (Admit it, you’ve seen this haven’t you?)

• Spending too much money. (Guilty as charged.)

• Preparing food for adults and not age-appropriate to the guests. (The only thing to show off today is your wonderful child)

• Engaging in sleepover parties before the age of 9 years. (Children younger than 9 or 10 years often find sleeping at someone else’s home frightening and uncomfortable.)

________________________________________

Author Bio

Sharen Pearson

Sharen Pearson’s Goof & Giggle classes and materials continue to provide a quality Mom/Tot interaction. Widely popular, Goof & Giggle’s child-focused play plans are offered in various Arizona communities. She’s also created a variety of Goof Juice DVDs and filmed episodes of Baby D.I.Y. and written workbooks for BabyFirstTV. Arizona Midday (NBC) tapes monthly segments with Sharen to provide their audience with a variety of original and creative “easy to do” activities for babies and preschoolers. Sharen’s creativity reaches a combined audience over 200 million viewers worldwide. Goof & Giggle classes and products encourage green living, repurposing materials from around the house into affordable objects for play and learning. Learn more at: http://sharenpearson.com/

________________________________________

posted with permission from russ@kathycarltonwillis.com.

LDW Magazine Post...Finding Peace and Balance

A friend of mine has the following on her Facebook info page:


“I am a personal chef, taxi cab driver, nurse, doctor, tutor, maid, banker, stylist, shopper, gardener, hairdresser….a MOM.” Some of us can add full time employee, event planner, peacemaker, cheerleader, mentor/coach, storyteller, teacher, and a host of other titles.

How do we fit it all in? How do we do all of those things, plus the personal and family building activities we are counseled to do (ie scripture study, FHE, prayer, etc)? How do we find peace and balance amid the chaos and activity of our lives?

I don’t profess to have the answers. I often don’t even feel qualified to be writing this blog. I’m often overwhelmed myself and swamped in my own inadequacies and burdens of life. However, the leaders of the church are fully qualified and very much aware of the need for balance. I was encouraged that not only did my ideas match some of those of the general authorities, but much of what is suggested is totally 100% do-able.

The short list (ie MY list) is this:

--Plan

--Schedule

--Prioritize

--Attend the temple

Before beginning any endeavor, we should review the covenants we have made with the Lord. This will allow us to see where we can improve our life and our day to day duties.

1. Set your priorities—figure out where you are going and what you need to do to get there. (This would be the Planning part.) Write your daily tasks, using the covenants made with the Lord foremost in mind (Schedule).

2. Set short term goals—Goals that are balanced, ie not too many, not too few; not too high, not too low. Pray for guidance. Write them down in order of importance (ie Prioritize).

3. M. Russell Ballard says, “…we will never have balance in our lives unless our finances are securely under control.” Control your *real* needs and balance them against your wants. Always, always, pay a full tithing.

4. Stay close to family, friends, children, etc. Good relationships can be maintained through good communication. “A man’s character is the reality of himself—his reputation is the opinion others have formed of him. Character is in him—Reputation is from others. Character is the substance—Reputation is the shadow.” There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child…while it may not actually take a village…the message is that we are not intended to “balance” alone.

5. Study the scriptures. There is no greater source of peace in one’s daily life. Sincere study produces faith and provides hope and solutions to daily challenges. I have found as I try to read each day (usually in the morning, but not always), that I not only learn something new, but new insights come to mind that are specific to whatever the day brings.

6. Schedule time for sufficient rest, exercise, and relaxation. Take care of your body. Obey the word of wisdom. We will never have the mental or physical energy to meet the demands pressed on us if we do not adequately nourish and exercise our bodies, as well as adequately rest our mind and bodies.

7. Teach one another in regular Family Home Evening. Seek after the things of God.

8. Pray often. (Need I say more?)

I have been struggling lately with getting things done, especially in the evenings. I have hope that the beginning of the school year will help in that it will get my boys back to a regular schedule. We are in our third week this week, and so far, not happening. But I still hope. I also hope some of the ideas presented will help you find peace and balance. I know that when I pray and read the scriptures, I don’t feel as overwhelmed, even if I haven’t actually accomplished a single thing.

Sunday Stealing

1. If you could live in any other time period, which would you pick?

absolutely no idea

2. What is your favorite topic to write on your blog other than a meme?

my children

3. What are some traits that you admire in a lover?

respect of others

4. Could you adjust to life in another country?

I'm sure I could

5. If you could study anything, what would it be?

currently want to learn sign language

6. What is your favorite possession that cost less than $15?

I love pens...and individually, they cost less than $15

7. Which color do you wear most often?

pink and green (but not together)

8. What has been your “theme song”, or favorite song this summer?

A Little Bit Stronger by Sara Evans

9. What's the most romantic thing that's ever been said to you?

i'm gonna pass on this one....because while I thought it was romantic at the time, it means very little now

10. What would be your dream birthday cake?

any cake made by The Cake Boss

11. What is the coolest thing you’ve ever done?

it was cool to me...visiting my friend in WA last year, we went up one of the mountains....60 degree pleasant weather to freezing temperatures and snow and back again all in one day....