The Front Porch Swing

[Tomtommom]

My youngest niece and son both have April 4th as there birthday. On my sons second birthday and my nieces fifth we rented a beach house is Oregon and took them to the aquarium. No gifts. Then Easter was right after there birthdays that year (my son wa born on Easter) and so we had Easter at the beach house too! As a rule we don't do gifts really, but this year we had a dinosaur bday party with a bounce house, fossil dig and each kid got to being home a dinosaur egg to crack and see what dinosaur was inside. No gifts, just fun. It was great! And I made a dinosaur cake compleat with a volcano with lava coming out.
My husbands birthday is April 24th. We got married august 22nd.... It's a good wedding date

I guess I have good luck with boys born in April! Haha

I started buying $100 in stock for their birthdays. So far it's a gift that's been growing and growing. My step-son was in an accident as a baby, no harm done, but the vultures got him some money (after taking a large chunk for themselves ofcourse). I've kept it in stock for him and we've gained A LOT, in two years time. I would say I got a 25% increase in that time. I explained a little how it works, that he buys small pieces of companies and if they do well his pieces make money and if they don't do so well he loses some. Hoping by the time he's 18 he's got a nice little chunk there.

I just bought Amelia's first stock today. I had given both boys $200 from the small inheritance I got from my mom, so it seemed only fair she'd get $200 as well.

they do well for her.

This year I found a brand new bike at the thrift store for $15, so that was my step-son's present.



I am entirely guilty in going overboard with presents... I buy open box, used etc. and end up getting way too much because it didn't cost much.

I got Thomas $400 worth of Little People stuff for about $60 for Christmas... but it really was way too much, it about made his head explode. What's the point in buying new? They're just going to tear it up anyway.

I have to say, they play with about everything I've gotten for them over the years. I buy things I know they'll love without them knowing that they wanted it all along. I got an adorable camo recliner with foot stool and they practically fight over who gets to sit in it (Thomas usually just ends up sitting on his brother). They have a big pile of Duplo (toddler lego), which is one of those toys that never get old (or loses value. You keep it for your grandkids or you can sell it for little to no loss)... I still like to play with Duplo. We got wooden blocks, which they love. Books. Puzzles. Board games. I am thrilled my step-son loves to play board games. We're pretty competative

This year I really want to hold back buying things. They have lots and lots and certainly dont need more. They have everything little boys could want.

 

[Alice28]

My birthday is August 9th, just when teasel flowers, the weeds have won the battle for the veg garden, and you start to feel summer wrapping up. And I have never wanted any gifts either. Every single birthday of my life I have asked for one thing and one thing only. (Except when I was one but I was probably thinking it): I WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH!!
And I go, with whoever will go with me and spend the whole day, even in the rain. I even went the time I broke my pelvis and the kids pushed me out into the surf on an inner tube. Mind when the surf pushed me back to land and bounced my bottom on the sand spits, maybe not my brightest idea.

Ahh, sounds like that was a painful birthday! I try to teach my son the people are more important then the day. This year for my birthday we painted the living room. That was a pretty great gift. The beach I think I take for granted because I see it and the ocean everyday and hear it every night, but I should take my son to go play in the sand soon. The water is to cold though! Brrrr! But I did get in a bit with him last time and we walked all wet to the car! But he had fun and I did too

 

[heartsizedfarm]

I started buying $100 in stock for their birthdays. So far it's a gift that's been growing and growing. My step-son was in an accident as a baby, no harm done, but the vultures got him some money (after taking a large chunk for themselves ofcourse). I've kept it in stock for him and we've gained A LOT, in two years time. I would say I got a 25% increase in that time. I explained a little how it works, that he buys small pieces of companies and if they do well his pieces make money and if they don't do so well he loses some. Hoping by the time he's 18 he's got a nice little chunk there. I just bought Amelia's first stock today. I had given both boys $200 from the small inheritance I got from my mom, so it seemed only fair she'd get $200 as well. they do well for her. This year I found a brand new bike at the thrift store for $15, so that was my step-son's present. I am entirely guilty in going overboard with presents... I buy open box, used etc. and end up getting way too much because it didn't cost much. I got Thomas $400 worth of Little People stuff for about $60 for Christmas... but it really was way too much, it about made his head explode. What's the point in buying new? They're just going to tear it up anyway. I have to say, they play with about everything I've gotten for them over the years. I buy things I know they'll love without them knowing that they wanted it all along. I got an adorable camo recliner with foot stool and they practically fight over who gets to sit in it (Thomas usually just ends up sitting on his brother). They have a big pile of Duplo (toddler lego), which is one of those toys that never get old (or loses value. You keep it for your grandkids or you can sell it for little to no loss)... I still like to play with Duplo. We got wooden blocks, which they love. Books. Puzzles. Board games. I am thrilled my step-son loves to play board games. We're pretty competative This year I really want to hold back buying things. They have lots and lots and certainly dont need more. They have everything little boys could want.

Duplo! Oh I had forgotten that! We got into the train set and we could cover the whole downstairs of the house almost with train tracks. The set is still in a box in the cellar and I will definitely give it to any grand kids I should be blessed with. Thanks for the Duplo memories.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
No like all spiders they inject to eat. The Fangs inject a chemical that completely turns its prey into liquid.... then they drink to eat.

here are some facts http://insects.about.com/od/spiders/a/10-facts-about-tarantulas.htm

deb

 

[heartsizedfarm]

No like all spiders they inject to eat.  The Fangs inject a chemical that completely turns its prey into liquid....  then they drink to eat.

here are some facts   http://insects.about.com/od/spiders/a/10-facts-about-tarantulas.htm

deb

Thank you Deb that was cool!

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Heard from my friend ... her sister and her sister's students are fine. Rattled, amped up, but fine.

Good job with the prayers.

 

[Beekissed]

My youngest niece and son both have April 4th as there birthday. On my sons second birthday and my nieces fifth we rented a beach house is Oregon and took them to the aquarium. No gifts. Then Easter was right after there birthdays that year (my son wa born on Easter) and so we had Easter at the beach house too! As a rule we don't do gifts really, but this year we had a dinosaur bday party with a bounce house, fossil dig and each kid got to bring home a dinosaur egg to crack and see what dinosaur was inside. No gifts, just fun. It was great! And I made a dinosaur cake compleat with a volcano with lava coming out.
My husbands birthday is April 24th. We got married august 22nd.... It's a good wedding date

I guess I have good luck with boys born in April! Haha

Mine is April 22nd, so of course I believe that April is one of the best months for birthdays.

My birthday is August 9th, just when teasel flowers, the weeds have won the battle for the veg garden, and you start to feel summer wrapping up. And I have never wanted any gifts either. Every single birthday of my life I have asked for one thing and one thing only. (Except when I was one but I was probably thinking it): I WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH!!
And I go, with whoever will go with me and spend the whole day, even in the rain. I even went the time I broke my pelvis and the kids pushed me out into the surf on an inner tube. Mind when the surf pushed me back to land and bounced my bottom on the sand spits, maybe not my brightest idea.

But you did it! And that's what's important.....doing the things that may seem a little foolish but are still a confirmation of life and the good living of it.

When I had a travel nurse job in Rhode Island we got to live right outside of Newport and the beaches were just a block away, so we would go boogie boarding every chance we got. One time the surf was pretty big and I got rolled and rolled under the surf like a washing machine. Couldn't get up, swallowed a lot of water, and cut my hand on a shell along the bottom.

When I finally got up I barfed sea water for a bit while my boys stood there and yelled at me and cried. They thought I had drowned and it had scared them being so far from home and what would they do if I died? They then stated they weren't letting me surf anymore! I told them that, yes, I would boogie and keep boogy-ing until I rode one all the way to the beach, if I die they could walk back to the house and call their grandparents to come pick them up.

I was scared to death of sharks, of the dark water and the big surf....but I did it anyway. I was the only older woman in the water, the only one on a boogie board...and the only one that seemed to be having any fun. And I did catch a wave that surfed me all the way to the beach that day!

Heard from my friend ... her sister and her sister's students are fine. Rattled, amped up, but fine.

Good job with the prayers.

Oh, that's good news!!!

 

[heartsizedfarm]

Mine is April 22nd, so of course I believe that April is one of the best months for birthdays. 


But you did it!  And that's what's important.....doing the things that may seem a little foolish but are still a confirmation of life and the good living of it. 

When I had a travel nurse job in Rhode Island we got to live right outside of Newport and the beaches were just a block away, so we would go boogie boarding every chance we got.  One time the surf was pretty big and I got rolled and rolled under the surf like a washing machine.   Couldn't get up, swallowed a lot of water, and cut my hand on a shell along the bottom.

When I finally got up I barfed sea water for a bit while my boys stood there and yelled at me and cried.  They thought I had drowned and it had scared them being so far from home and what would they do if I died?  They then stated they weren't letting me surf anymore!  I told them that, yes, I would boogie and keep boogy-ing until I rode one all the way to the beach, if I die they could walk back to the house and call their grandparents to come pick them up.  

I was scared to death of sharks, of the dark water and the big surf....but I did it anyway.  I was the only older woman in the water, the only one on a boogie board...and the only one that seemed to be having any fun.  And I did catch a wave that surfed me all the way to the beach that day!    


Oh, that's good news!!! 

Hurray for boogie boarding BeeKissed! What a neat experience at the time, a fabulous memory for your family (and life lesson snuck in there), and a great story for your friends on the Porch.

 

[rrrmamma]

What about a trail ride? My daughter loved hanging out at stables when she was a teen and I figured it was better than the mall. And sometimes an outing without any structure is really satisfying. A walk someplace to get ice cream and someplace to sit and eat ice cream gives space and quiet that makes for nice conversation. She probably needs quiet time with you, your insights and maturity, more than she needs time with others her own age anyway.

If all else fails haul out the board games!

Can't ride because of a hip injury in an accident last year, No place close enough to walk to. We are 10 miles from the closest store. Haven't tried board games but I can hear it now. I'm Bored. ha ha
Hope the pup keeps her occupied. Doug and I had to be gone for my eye appointment most of the day today so all she did was sleep. Tomorrow we are scrubbing carpet from last weekends!company. I'll keep trying/

 

[lazy gardener]

Bee, your boogie story reminds me of the day my grand son and i got caught in a rip tide at Popham beach. Neither one of us are strong swimmers. He was totally oblivious to the danger, but it scared the daylights out of me! Especially since i was responsible for him at the time. Obviously, we made it out ok, but for the rest of our time at that beach, we were sure to swim where all the other swimmers were. Incidents like this make you aware of the fragility and transient nature of this life, the awesome power of the natural world we live in, and are a great wake up call to get one's spiritual house in order.