Being from South Carolina, I found this video to be absolutely hilarious!!!!

I love celebrating all of the birthdays in our family, especially those of the littlest members.

But it was those littlest members of the family, along with my husband, of course, that worked super hard to ensure that I had a special birthday celebration this year.

First of all, Jenny blessed my day by being a sweet baby with a little less fussing than usual. I was hoping to be able to go out to eat with everyone, but that was contingent upon Jenny having a good day…and she did! So, we went out to eat at Chili’s. I even decided to forgo counting Weight Watcher points and really enjoyed my birthday dinner, complete with a free ice cream brownie that I shared with the kids.

Keith put lots of thought into getting me gifts that I am truly thankful for…a huge Yankee candle with accessories to keep it burning longer and better and a Kindle on order from Amazon. YAY!!! I cannot wait for this to ship and am already making a list of books that I want to put on it.

The girls were so sweet all day!

Bless their hearts. They don’t have a bit of money, but they taught me the true meaning of, “it’s the thought that counts”.

All day long, they worked on putting gifts together for me. They made them themselves, and bagged or wrapped things of theirs to be my presents.

Their gifts sat on the coffee table all day waiting on me to open them after we enjoyed some birthday cake {strawberry shortcake} together.

After cake, the girls brought their presents in to the dining room. They’re all wrapped in bags from their room.

They were so excited for me to open my first present and did a super job of taking turns giving me each of their gifts to open.

EA gave me a little brown ball as my first present.

I also got a card from EA.

Two “microphones” made from toilet paper rolls.

Then they gave me a “bracelet necklace” made from one of EA’s belts!

MC informed me that I needed to undo the clasp to put it on and take it off because I have a big head…thanks MC!!

Here’s a red ball that MC says I can use to play all kinds of sports.

I also received some books. I read one of them before bedtime last night.

I could not have asked for anything more!!!

My birthday was truly made special because of the love of my family.

How do you make birthdays special in your family?

Yumm!!

Post linked to: Sweet Shot Tuesday at Life With My 3 Boybarians

My kids love to help put away the groceries when I come home from my weekly shopping trip.

As much as I love for them to help….I’ve learned that this should always be a supervised chore.

Especially when the three year old is involved.

Yes, that was frozen corn, peas, ice cream bars, and yogurt in my pantry!

You don’t even want to know what was in the refrigerator.

But, this little boy sure was proud of himself!

Post linked to: Mamarazzi Monday at Main Line Moms

Boy…this has been a busy, busy week! It seems that lately it is so hard to find the time to sit down and write.

With a nursing baby, it seems that most of my days are being lived out in two-hour increments. Between that and time spent holding, cuddling, wiping noses, teaching, playing, and feeding my other children, it seems there is barely any time left.

I have been choosing to spend time with my husband and children rather than in front of a screen.

I did read some great posts this week, though, that I don’t want you to miss out on.

So, this week’s Friday Favorites is being posted today….on Saturday.

Goal Setting Charts for Young Kids by Simple Kids

I Choose Joy by Kristi Stephens

Back to School Traditions by Life as Mom

Ten Bittersweet Baby Moments by Parenting the Tiniest Miracles

Four Tips to Help Your Child Read by Homeschool Bliss

Do I Even Have a Niche? by Amy Bayliss

Top Ten Ways to Handle a Bad Homeschool Day by Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

The Daughters Do What the Mothers Did by MOD Squad

You are Blessed! Really! by Raising Homemakers

Enjoy! And have a great weekend!!

Post linked to: Saturday Stumbles at It’s Come 2 This

Last night I was holding Jenny {as always} and buttering a slice of bread for Will.

When Jenny laid her eyes on the buttered bread, they grew huge

her mouth began to water,

and her legs began to kick away!

Can her love affair with butter be starting at such an early age?

Or is she just a girl after her Mommy’s own heart?

Did you know that today is/was National Waffle Day?

I don’t remember when or how we found out about it, but my kiddos have been looking forward to this day for weeks.

Each of them was greeted with a “Happy Waffle Day” sentiment when they came downstairs this morning.

I juggled holding Jenny, who was getting ready for a nap, and whipping up a batch of waffles for a special Waffle Day breakfast.

After enjoying their strawberry syrup topped waffles, EA, MC, and Will continued the Waffle Day celebration by watching Sprout’s Wiggly Waffle show.

In honor of today’s National Waffle Day, here is a recipe for homemade waffles. Enjoy!

Waffles

2 eggs, separated
2 c. milk
2 c. unsifted flour
1 tsp. salt
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
4 tbsp. melted butter

In a small bowl, beat egg yolks until light. Add the milk.

In another bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder.

Gradually add these dry ingredients to the egg yolks and milk.

Add the melted butter. Mix until smooth.

Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold in. Blend thoroughly.

Preheat the waffle iron.

Pour a ladleful of batter onto the iron, starting in center and gently remove when iron indicates they’re done. Repeat until you have enough waffles for the whole family to enjoy!

It’s so much fun to turn ordinary days into a holiday. And this was such a holiday around here that MC asked her daddy why he had to go to work on Waffle Day.

Did your family celebrate Waffle Day?

How does your family make ordinary days extra special?

Post linked to: Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and Works for Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family