A Big Brother: The Best Birthday Surprise!

It can be fun to plan a surprise party for your child, especially with all the planning that goes into not letting on about the party as you plan. But it can take on an even more interesting vibe when there's a BIG Brother coming home from deployment to surprise his little brother for his birthday. This inspiring birthday story is sure to touch your heart, especially from a Mom's point of view.

We all want our child's birthday to be a special as we can make it. Sometimes another family member that your child loves can make their birthday even more special. Be sure to include important memorabilia on your child's birthday wall to commemorate a special occasion such as being reunited with a loved one who is off to war. Family can truly make a birthday the best ever!

Birthday Budget Ideas from Cloud Mom!

Happy Birthday: It's Playtime!

Instead of birthday parties being about all the amenities, perhaps a simpler approach, like playtime and a homemade cake, can be what the party planner ordered. Erin Guerrieri shares her view point on keeping simple traditions with her kids. It can be refreshing to just give them time to play with friends and family, making memories and having a good time.

You can keep things simple when you create a Birthday Wall for your child; just highlight the best of the best and what you know will matter most to your child. I give suggestions for keeping it lightweight and less complicated in How I Did It sections in each chapter.

Simple can be Sensational!

Is Bigger Better?: A Birthday Party Analysis

Sometimes laying down ground rules for the party planning is the way to go, especially when you're looking at the birthday budget. Christine Berry MacKenzie shares her point of view about the necessity or lack thereof of a big party with all the amenities in her article, How to Control Growingly Elaborate Birthday Parties. She explains how keeping it simple may be the way to go and be just as successful and memorable in the long run.

Each chapter in The Birthday Wall contains a section called Birthday Budget which helps you see how you can save money while creating the best birthday wall ever simply by choosing what works best for you.

You can make your child's birthday memorable and still keep it simple.

Celebrate and Learn: A Mom's Point of View

I appreciate it when moms share their life experiences. Organized Mom at Mom to Mom website shares a fabulous rendition of her daughter's 6th birthday party which includes her supplies, her decor and the activities in detail. But what I really like is what she shares about what she learned in the process; in other words, what she would do next time to make it even better.

Sometimes when we want to create something fabulous for our kids, we run into an issue we didn't expect or we see later that doing something a certain way would have made the whole experience a lot easier. I share trouble shooting issues in The Birthday Wall concerning display options, how and where, as well as concerns your child's feelings.

Plan, learn and celebrate!

Create a Birthday in a Box!

Sometimes the best life experience comes from when you do something terrific for someone else. A birthday is often a great reason to celebrate another person, especially when they might need a pick-me-up. "Ziva" at Help Others dot org shares a wonderfully inspiring birthday story with details of a birthday box she put together for a friend. It's actions like these that make the world a better place.

The Birthday Wall is a terrific way to boost the esteem of your child as you look to make their day as special and authentic as it can be. I share many ideas, from themes to messages, with how you can share with your child from the heart and really make a lovely, lasting memory.

Raggedy Ann and Andy Adds Whimsy to a Celebration

When I was a child, I had my room decorated with Raggedy Ann and Andy. I just loved those dolls and everything that came with them. That's why when I saw this party theme, I just had to share it with you!

Abby Snyder has twins, boy and girl, who just celebrated their first birthday, and she shares her party prep story with how she came up with her theme idea, where she found many of her decorating ideas, and also displays several adorable photos to showcase the party and her twins' fun that day.

Abby actually hangs a picture banner by the fireplace that reminded me of The Birthday Wall family tradition I have used to celebrate my daughters' birthdays for nine years. Perhaps her display will inspire you with ideas for your child's next birthday wall.

I love the whimsy Raggedy Ann and Andy creates with such a fun, lovable theme. You can create one too, with a custom created Birthday Wall for your child.

For Your Sweet Tooth: A Sprinkled Special!

I love it when I discover a birthday theme that is clever, cute, and well designed. How about Sprinkles? Yes, these colorful collections can be found throughout this theme, from decor the activity ideas. Kirstin of Kojo Designs created a fabulous setting, favors, and fun with this adorable birthday theme.

How about throwing some of that sprinkly fun to a Birthday Wall, showcasing more of your child's loves? Yes, you can easily incorporate the funnest of themes to your creation celebrating your child's personality in all of their glorious dimensions.

Have some sprinkle-based fun and celebrate the best of your child for their special day!

A Pretty Princess: Pink Playfulness

This Mom, Abby Larson, who wrote the post, SMP (Style Me Pretty) at Home: Audrey's 4th Birthday, showcases how you can have a terrific birthday and use what you've got (with a bit of super frugal spending to fill in the gaps). With pink enhanced photos galore, Abby shows all the dimensions and elements of her daughter's 4th birthday, with activities, decorations, and costumes. A Perfect Party for a Pretty Princess, indeed!

When you have a birthday party with such adorable decor, you'd want to embellish your child's Birthday Wall with some of that glitter going on! There are so many wonderfully fun and fancy options with how you can visually please while enhancing the self-esteem of your wonderful child. Add some pizzazz and have some fun!

Fun at Home with Bounce!

I love the simplicity shared in today's featured post, In Praise of the Old-Fashioned, DIY Birthday Party by Katie Granju; it amazes me how something as simple as a bounce house can make a child's day on their birthday. You may be surprised when you ask your child what would make their birthday special; it is often met with something simple and doable.

One of the elements of The Birthday Wall is focusing on what makes your child happy. When we listen to what our children want and why, we can discover what is in the hearts of our kids. And that's what we really want to know anyway, isn't it?

Themed Inspiration: A Penguin Party!

I thought this penguin themed party was the cutest, from the decorations to the cupcakes and then some. But I think what inspired me most about Noah's First Birthday Party: Penguin Style was the celebratory aspect of friends and family for this one-year-old named Noah with his parents, Abby and Rick. This was the perfect birthday story of how one life can change another for the better in ways that are just awesome and wonderful.

This post truly inspired me with the application of what makes a child truly special--one of a kind--in reference to The Birthday Wall and how we can show this clearly as a visual in ways that help our children understand how much we love and appreciate them. Noah's story is a perfect example.

Outdoors, Anyone? It's a Summer Time Party!

Are you looking for some great summer-style ideas for your child's birthday? Well, Becky Sher provides quite a few, from food to activities, invite ideas and decor. This fun outdoor theme post is sure to spark some inspiration for the outdoors as you celebrate your child.

Some of the decor ideas Becky provides can be incorporated into the birthday wall you can create in conjunction with this very fun, summertime outdoor theme. I provide some terrific theme ideas in Chapter One, A Thoughtful Thread: Choosing a Theme in my e-book, The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child..

An Affirmation Celebration!

We all want our kids to feel special, don't we? And their special day, their birthday, is the perfect time to show them how much you appreciate them. My good friend, Sarah Bryant, who recently shared about her and her son's Birthday Wall experience, also shares how she affirms her son on a daily basis with her post, Affirming the Good in Your Child.

One of the distinct benefits of creating a Birthday Wall for your child is being able to affirm your children by showing them how much they are loved and valued with a custom visual display just for them.

Reconnecting with My Son through The Birthday Wall

Reconnecting with My Son through The Birthday Wall

By Sarah Joyce Bryant

My seven-year-old son, Cody, was hospitalized in a residential psychiatric treatment facility for eight months. There were two months when his aggressive behavior was so severe it was determined he was not safe to come home for his bi-weekly weekend visits. We were left with ten minute phone calls each night, and two hour visits every other weekend. The unique bond that we had shared suffered tremendously. Cody refused to take my phone calls, and when I came to visit he was distant, not the loving, cuddly boy I knew. I believed because of his Asperger’s, I had just become a person who visited him, not someone he really knew and loved. He started to call me by my first name. I was no longer mommy. 

Cody’s birthday was coming up, so I started reading “The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child” by Dawn Herring. Herring focuses on learning what is important to your child and what your child loves and making a beautiful birthday banner that celebrates your child using the things you’ve discovered. Displaying the banner on their birthday shows that you know who they are and you are listening. It is a keepsake for them, something they can look back on years from now and have a sense of who they have been and who they are now. I didn’t get a chance to make a birthday wall for Cody the way Herring suggested, but her book sparked an idea. Instead of making a birthday wall that Cody wouldn’t be able to display in the hospital, I decided to put it all into a binder with each page depicting a special time we had spent together over the last year or something special about him.

Cody with his Birthday Wall Binder

Cody's Favorite Things in his Birthday Wall Binder

The day I brought him the binder, his entire face lit up. He went through each page and read all about himself and his family. It was the first time in months he spent the entire visitation with me. He was so proud of it that he walked around showing all the staff. It was a reminder to him that I loved him, that I was listening to him, and that I knew who he was. Our relationship changed after that. He started taking my phone calls again. He started to call me mommy again. He had something beautiful to look at every day that was all about him, but that also served to remind him of his family and the times we had spent together and how much we loved him. He still goes through the binder even though he is at home now. Each time he has the same reaction of pure joy.

I am so appreciative to Dawn Herring for creating such an amazing book that helps parents celebrate their children. I am so grateful that it had such a positive impact on my son when nothing else seemed to work. He needed me to SHOW him that I loved him because words were not enough.

Editor's Note: This story was shared by Sarah Joyce Bryant who purchased my e-book, The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child; she took the idea of the Birthday Wall display and put it in binder form for her son. This shows there are different approaches you can take with The Birthday Wall and create a wonderful, self-esteem inducing effect for your child. Thanks to Sarah for sharing her story for her son Cody. 

Caution! Construction Ahead!

The theme for this birthday party looked like a construction zone...only this one the guests could actually enter! From bulldozed birthday cake to constructions signs and other decor, this one is a real hit for Lish's now 3 year old son. Or should I say, a real construction? (Awesome, colorful photos abound with some terrific, inexpensive ideas.)

Creating a theme for your child's birthday wall can be a super fun construction of your own, featuring all of your child's favorite things. I share many theme ideas in Chapter One, A Thoughtful Thread: Choosing a Theme in my e-book, The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child. The Fun Has Just Begun!

Celebrations: Give Them a Choice!

When we plan a celebration for our child's birthday, we may run into an unsatisfactory situation such as described by Sharon DeVellis with her two boys. She shares her experiences with birthday parties, the cost involved and where to have one in her post, Birthday Party Alternative.  She decided to give her boys a choice of party or family time. She shares their activities and what choices they made with memories in the making.


Our kids know what they like and they know what matters to them; when we highlight these all-important aspects of our kids' lives, creating that birthday wall becomes all the more meaningful and satisfying for them and for you.

A Special Thank You to Debra DiPietro of The Warm Milk Journal

The following link takes you to The Warm Milk Journal, a place where you can find great posts on journaling for a healthy mindset and good night's sleep.

Debra DiPietro, host of The Warm Milk Journal, recently asked folks on Facebook to share about something they accomplished recently. I had the opportunity to share about The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child.

This post shows Debra's generosity and support; thanks, Debra!

My good friend Debra DiPietro of The Warm Milk Journal shares about my new book, The Birthday Wall, and invites folks to join me on #JournalChat! Thanks, Debra!!

Journal Writing: A Birthday Party Activity

Journal Writing is an activity near and dear to my heart; so when I saw this post, Teachable Moments Series: Journal Writing, I just had to share it! I love the activities they suggest for kids with a journal writing project, including an artistic approach to make it visually fun. It makes for a fun, custom choice since each child can do it any way they want to.

A Birthday Wall can be created in any way you want it to be to show your child how much you love them just as they are in all their fun and creative dimensions. In my e-book, I share a suggestion you can use in addition to or instead of the wall for your display that just might hit the journaling spot!

Oh, It's Magic: A Mom's Story

We all want to see our children enjoy the things that delight them, and a birthday is the perfect time to make that happen. Nicole Paitsel shares this delightful birthday story of her son and his experience with a real-live magician titled, "Son's Birthday Is Magical for Mom Too." He's always had a fascination with magic, experiencing the fun with family members. Nicole gives a heart-warming rendition of his magician performance at his party and how much fun he had, with his mom enjoying every minute.

In my book, The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child, I give various examples of how you can showcase the things that delight your child, showing them how much you appreciate and love what makes them special; make it a special time, enjoying every minute.

Hands-On Colorful Birthday Party Ideas to Save You Money

We all want to save money on preparing for a birthday party without skimping on the fun. Kelsey provides seven hands-on ideas with colorful photos to get you inspired that will help you save on the expense and have fun in the process in her post,  7 Ways to Save Money on Kid's Birthday Parties.

One of the things that makes a Birthday Wall fun is the hands-on aspect of it; you can choose, create, cut, and collage your way to a charming colorful display that represents your child in all of their personal dimensions. I also share ways you can save money in the process so your Birthday Wall doesn't break the bank!

16 Birthday Wishes for a Sweet 16

Children need the support and encouragement that only a truly loving and caring parent can give. They need to know they are not alone and that we believe in them and their place in this world. My good friend, Rus VanWestervelt, shared this beautiful love and light filled wish list for his daughter for her 16th birthday. I found it so inspiring and full of truth and encouragement, the kind of message every child should receive at some point in their life.

The message we can convey to our children when we create a birthday wall for their validation and nurture cannot be underestimated. Our children need to see, feel, and know our love both visually, tangibly, and with the heart.

An Eco Friendly Birthday: Your Options

We all want to do our part to recycle and save the earth from unwanted trash. Well, birthday parties are a great place to incorporate such an approach. Terri Bennett share some fab eco-tips to help you get started in her post, Do Your Part: Throw a Green Birthday Bash.

One of my favorite tips from Terri is creating a paper wall for the kids to write birthday greetings on. The Birthday Wall is close to my heart since it's a great way to create a fun visual without a lot of waste. And it's a great keepsake too so your kids can have the memory to savor and go green at the same time.

It's the Little Things: Celebrations

It truly is the Little Things in life that can make moments and life experiences special and memorable. Whether it's using special dishes, instituting a family tradition that touches the heart, or doing something out of the ordinary just because, Kelle Hampton shares in her post, Celebrate: Hallmark how she makes the most out of the littlest things. I was inspired when I ran into this wonderful representation of what celebrations are really about and how we can make life special for whatever reason that comes to mind.

Our birthday celebrations is our house come with a visual collage to showcase what matters to that special birthday person. It's often the little things that matter to that person that show up the most, whether it's something they say or something they love that might otherwise go unnoticed. The Birthday Wall is the perfect visual to present such an important aspect to an individual and why they are so special to you.

Happy Birthday To You! (My Childhood Memory)

A birthday is that one special day of the year that is dedicated to the child born to celebrate their uniqueness, their growth, and their place in their family and the world. 


I always looked forward to the celebration of my special day, especially since it coincided with the country's celebration of freedom, Independence Day, giving my day an extra "kick" with the evening's display and powerful booms of "those rocket's red glare, and those bombs bursting in air." 


In my younger years I would so desire to see those colors that I would cover my ears to tolerate the overly loud noise, even when I could feel the re-verb in my chest. 


Mom always made me to feel as if those colorful displays were just for me--to celebrate my special day. She would also enhance the occasion with the thematic colors of red, white, and blue, whether on my homemade birthday cake with blueberries and strawberries for the visual of the American Flag or with the ribbons and bows on my gifts. 


On my 12th birthday, the setting for my celebration was my all-time favorite summer hang-out, Terrace Lake (now defunct), where I could swim, swing and play on the monkey bars and eat BBQ chicken and potato salad. 


I won't forget the gift, that large rectangle shaped box, that became my treasured possession, filled with supplies and books on how to draw animals and other things: My First Art Kit. I loved to draw; so that gift from Mom just validated me as a budding artist and it thrilled me just thinking about using the pencils and other contents to create and express myself. 


I believe one of the best ways to make a birthday memorable is for a child to be shown how special and unique they are, showcasing their interests and talents and what makes their personality sparkle.


When it comes to my own two daughters, I have had a fab time celebrating their birthdays through a colorful, visual display of their personality and interests through image, text and color, collage style on the wall. It never disappoints to see how much such a display validates and boosts their self-esteem. 


And that's what birthdays are really for. And what is a birthday but a fabulous memory-in-the-making that will last a lifetime. 


I wrote today's post as part of the Wow-Women on Writing's "Everybody's Talking about Favorite Childhood Memories" mass-blogging event celebrating the release of Finding Emma by Steena Holmes (http://www.steenaholmes.com/). Steena is a woman who believes that 'in the end, all things succumb...to the passions of your heart'. Steena's life revolves around her family, friends and fiction. Add some chocolate into the mix and she's living the good life. She took those passions and made them a dream come true by pouring her heart into each of her stories.  


Finding Emma  has quickly become a bestseller. Proceeds from each book will be donated to The Missing Children Society of Canada - an organization dedicated to reuniting families. Visit http://www.mcsc.ca/ for more information. 


If you comment on today's post on this blog or any of the others participating the "Everybody's Talking About Favorite Childhood Memories" day, you'll be entered to win a signed copy of Finding Emma!


To read Steena's about childhood memories and view a list of other blog participating in the "Everybody's Talking About Favorite Childhood Memories" day, please visit The Muffin (http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/).

The Early Bird Gets the Worm!

I love it when I come across an interesting theme for a party; when your child likes worms, well then you just have a worm theme, right? That's exactly what Sherry Petersik did for her daughter. She shares some fabulous party products and showcases all of the worm-theme ideas she has brainstormed in her post, Do the Worm. Between colorful photos, fun text, and a cute video, this post is a real winner.

We can always win with a great theme that our kids love; whether worms, insects, flowers, or frogs, it can really showcase the quirky, fun side to our kid's personalities. Check out the first chapter in my e-book, A Thoughtful Thread: Choosing a Theme, for more theme ideas for your child's Birthday Wall.

Play Ball!!

One of the most fun parts in planning a birthday party is the theme. And when your son loves sports, there are many ways you can go. Kate, at Hostess with the Mostess, held a sports theme related party for her one year old son's birthday and found a popular sport idea for the main theme, plus other fun sport related stuff.

Theme really does help to unify the overall picture with a birthday celebration. I donate a chapter in my e-book toward choosing a theme for your child's birthday wall,  Chapter One, A Thoughtful Thread: Choosing a Theme. I have had much fun with incorporating themes into my daughter's birthday walls which I share in detail.

So, what does your child absolutely love right now? Perhaps a theme is just waiting to be born!

A Spring Celebration!

I love the colors and smells of spring; what a great time for a birthday party! (Of course, your child has to have a birthday in the spring for that to work out. ;)) If you're looking for some great theme party tips for spring, Nancy Flanders provides several, from whimsical to just plain fun.

When you create a birthday wall for your child, it's often a fabulous opportunity to visually show your child's favorite things in collage style. I give several ideas for how you can incorporate their favorites into a well laid out theme for your wall in Chapter One A Thoughtful Thread: Choosing a Theme.

A fun, colorful theme can really help pull such a visual together, enhancing your child's loves in full-color!

Let Them Choose: Options

I love a creative simplicity, which Jamie, at Steady Mom, shares about celebrating birthdays. She recommends keeping it simple, stress free, and manageable. Plus she gives her kids a choice between family parties and friend parties. Sometimes all that matters with a birthday is time spent with those who love you most.

I give several tips throughout The Birthday Wall e-book on keeping it simple and sticking with what matters most to your child. That's really the whole purpose behind creating one: focusing on what your child cares about and what makes them special.

And when you focus on the things they choose every day in your birthday wall creation, it truly shows how well you know them and how much you care about what they love and why.

Fun for Everyone?

When I ran into the article, Birthdays: Simple Can Be Fun too, by Chad Lucas, I found myself laughing hysterically! Chad really knows how to bring out the issues birthday celebrations can bring on with understanding humor that shows what true parent he is. I think my favorite part is the game he plays with the kids. The details will humor you, I"m sure.

One of the great dimensions of a Birthday Wall is bringing out your child's humorous side, whether it be something they say or a favorite TV show they like that's really funny. Check out Chapter Two, A Custom Fit: Your Child's Unique Portrait, for some fun ideas that you can include to bring out the fun/funny side of what you love about your child.

Toddler Tips: What to Have on Hand

With a focus on toddlers, Lisa of @ThePartyWorks, a guest poster on JLee's blog, shares must-do tips on how to handle the inevitable mishaps without the mayhem. With a focus on food, fun and friendly, her article is sure to be of help for your young one's party plans.

The Birthday Wall can be appropriate for any age, but for younger ones, I share my recommendations for placing and party activities in Chapter 5, Creativity Central: Putting It All Together as well as in the Q & A section following.

It Doesn't Have to be Complicated

I always appreciate simplicity, whether in the home, office, or in my approach to celebrating. And often when you keep it simple, it's also less expensive. That's why I like Sarah Fernandez's approach to birthday party planning. She details several issues, from number of invites to simple menus, to help keep things simple and less costly in her article,  5 Ways to Throw a Fabulous Birthday Party on a Budget.

I take the same approach when planning a birthday wall for my daughters. There are several factors involved such as how many greetings to include, what images would be the most meaningful, and what theme approach would have the most effect. I share about all these issues in my book: The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child.

Showing how much you love your child doesn't have to be complicated.

A True Gift: Her Birthday

Sometimes the best gift you can receive for your birthday are gifts you give to those who have none. That's what Felicia Kasdan, 19, discovered when she made a birthday wish for other children to receive toys in lei of her own birthday presents since she recognized how fortunate she was already.

Some gifts are simply made to refresh another; when I create a birthday wall for my daughters, in one sense, it becomes a gift others appreciate when they can play a part in it. That's one of the ways the birthday wall has become such a special and intimate part of their birthday celebration. My youngest daughter, Hannah, shares her point of view on what The Birthday Wall means to her in my e-book, The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child.

Puppies and Ponies: Fun for All

It can be such a delight to feature some of your child's favorite things in their birthday celebration. That's just what Sharon Rowley did for her 8 year old daughter, with puppies and ponies for her birthday party theme. In her post, Sharon provides several photos to showcase their activities and themed items along with optional food choices.

In my e-book, The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child, I share a structured survey that provides a place for you to fill in your child's favorite things and people. In Chapter One, A Thoughtful Thread: Choosing a Theme, I explain how to apply your child's favorites with the creation of their birthday wall for a fabulous theme you can incorporate into your party plans.

But what matters most is how much fun your child has as you celebrate their very special day. Enjoy!

Flowers, Anyone?: A Theme Thread

I was absolutely delighted to find this post, A Garden Flowers Birthday Party, by Anna at The Imagination Tree, filled with gorgeous, fun photos of a birthday party she held for her two year old daughter with a flower-based them. It's whimsical, creative, and colorful. Theme can be such a fun part of the birthday celebration, especially when it incorporates creative activities kids can enjoy.

In The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child, I introduce the idea of including the creation of The Birthday Wall as a craft idea in Chapter 5 Creativity Central: Putting It All Together. This can work great for younger ones who enjoy being a part of such a fun, visual activity.

Do Less: Your Celebration

Your approach to celebrating your child's birthday is a very personal one, yet it reaches to loved ones as well. Christine Koh shares her choices in connection with family to have use a minimalist approach to her daughter's first birthday. Sometimes doing less is the right choice; keeping it simple and memorable at the same time.

Family traditions are often a part of how we celebrate our child's special day; The Birthday Wall has been the one I've created for the past 9 years. What kind of family traditions do you follow to show your child how special they are to you?

Light on the Budget: Simplicity is Key!

If you're looking for tips on keeping prices low on your kid's birthday party planning, Lisa Steinke provides a great list anyone could love. From Dollar Store finds to just keeping it simple; then there's the idea of asking your child what he/she would like.

I find when I make a Birthday Wall for my daughters, I keep it simple and apply what I know about them right now toward what I create. When I take the time to ask what they like right now, that goes a long way toward making the most meaningful visual display possible. It always amazes them how well they are represented in all of their interesting, personal facets. Their surprise never grows old.

Birthday Sanity Savers: To The Rescue!

I love Nicole Hempeck's no-nonsense approach to planning your child's birthday party. She gives some great tips based on her personal experience with planning her twin's party. She includes tips on your Birthday Budget as well as a Pinterest approach to planning your birthday theme.  Plus planning ahead so you know exactly when and for how long your party will last.

In each chapter of The Birthday Wall, I cover your economic approach in planning your expenditures for the creation of your child's birthday wall in Birthday Budget.
I also discuss the planning of when and where you can display your child's Birthday Wall in Chapter 5, Creativity Central: Putting It All Together.

Bringing Birthdays Back Home: Keep It Simple!

I just love the heart-warming vibe of this birthday blog post on bringing your child's birthday home with its emphasis on simplicity and the enjoyment of planning and creating together. It's those simple and family-centered times that make birthdays so special.

That's why I love creating Birthday Walls for my children. It's such an intimate portrayal of my daughters from year to year that makes them feel so special. And when planned simply and timely, it can create a dimension of their birthday that can leave lasting memories they will always treasure.

Thanks to Heather Cahoon for her fabulous post and party ideas!

Terrific Tips: Birthday Party Essentials

Here's a quick tip article, Happy Days: Tips for the perfect kids party, which includes theme, game, and cake ideas. I make several suggestions for great theme ideas in Chapter One, A Thoughtful Thread: Choosing a Theme, and Chapter Five, Creativity Central: Putting It All Together, of  my new e-book, The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child.

Building Self Esteem

Dr. Katherine Ferdenzi explains the importance of building your child's self-esteem in this video clip. When we praise our children and show them how much we appreciate who they are and what they do well, it helps to build up their self-esteem, which is exactly the purpose of The Birthday Wall. It's a celebration of your child.