Traditions. Some New. Some Old.

Image via WikipediaAs I get ready to hang up birthday signs for the third child in the last three weeks, I can't help but to think about this crazy, wonderful tradition. Growing up, whenever it was someone's birthday, my parents would make signs that said, "Happy Birthday, 'insert name here'" or something to that effect. (Yes, they actually filled in our names and didn't write insert name here.)

It's a simple thing really, but seeing those signs first thing in the morning....that was something special. They'd be all over the house and stay there for a few days afterwards too. They made us feel special and loved and, really, that's the best thing to feel no matter how old you are.

When Dan and I started dating, I did the same thing for him. He thought I was insane, but I think he was secretly thrilled. At least, that's what I'm going to believe.

Now, we hang signs all over the house for each other whenever anyone has a birthday. The kids expect it, look forward to it, and go around reading every single sign for days. It's our birthday tradition and it's a keeper.

This year we started some traditions and continued with old ones. We get Christmas ornaments from the places we go...Cape May Zoo, Ocean City, Dutch Wonderland, and Lancaster are on our tree this year as new additions. We'll also be adding a new, special one after the new year. I can't wait!

We went to Ocean City the first week of June this year....going down every year is a tradition the kids are begging that we start. I'm okay with that really. It was a great vacation. One of the best ever really.

We also grow more vegetables than we can eat and plant things that we know only our elderly neighbors eat, because it's good to have a tradition of giving to others. The kids look forward to giving our neighbors veggies from the garden almost as much as they enjoy planting them.

We have other traditions too....some were just ours when we lived in Phoenix. Like a Christmas Eve service and a spaghetti dinner every year. But sometimes traditions have to adapt like the rest of us and Christmas Eve finds us rushing here and there. This year, we're determined to take the day back for ourselves. I cannot wait.

I hope you have your traditions too. Ones that make your heart happy and give you peace. Ones that when you wake up on your birthday....or any day...remind you that you are loved. We all need those kinds of traditions.

Cake Decoration...Not My Forte

I would like to be one of those moms who make gorgeous homemade birthday cakes for their children year after year. In fact, my own mother is one of those moms and I have pictures of her Holly Hobby cakes from my early birthdays to prove it. Alas, the cake decorating gene apparently skips a generation and my children are left with my pathetic attempts to create cakes that don't terrify or nauseate.

All three children's birthdays happen during a three week time span between mid-November and early-December, so I had my work cut out for me. Here are the results....


The guitar cake. Approved by the oldest only because of the immense amount of candy and sugary icing.

The pirate ship cake. Famous for its running M&Ms and horribly minty port holes.

And, finally, the Monkey Face cake. The only part of this cake that Little Miss wanted was the donut ears and Peppermint Patty eyes. Smart girl.

Of course, all three did turn out better than the pink Elmo cake, Spiderman giving the bird cake and the lopsided pink balloon cake. Isn't that a scary thought.

Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Me!

It's shameless to sing Happy Birthday to yourself, I know, but, honestly, I don't particularly care. It's my birthday! And I got up early and went and got donuts. Not a very Gym Mama thing to do, but then again these are not just any donuts. These are SuzEJo donuts. Trust me, once you have a SuzEJo there's just no going back.

Anyway, a couple of things I want to let you know about.

First, we're having a 20% off sale at both the GymMama and GreenHillSoapCo studios on ArtFire to celebrate my birthday. So, go, shop and stimulate my economy. ;)

Second, our soaps are part of an Eco-Friendly giveaway on RiskyBeads. Lots of good things, so hop on over and enter to win.

And the third and final thing is that, well, okay, never mind. There were just two things. But those two are really important!

Have a great day and know that I'll eat an extra bite of ice cream just for you. I'm willing to sacrifice.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Well, my baby girl is a year old today. It hardly seems possible. What a year!

I got to thinking about my physical health this time last year. Obviously, I was very pregnant and very post-pregnancy all within a few hours time. Funny how that happens.

I may not be going to the gym or working out religiously, but I'm in much better shape now than I was even before I got pregnant. That, to me, is amazing. I wanted to lose weight, but I didn't actually think I would. I had, in some part of my brain, resigned myself to the fact that I was going to be a size 14 forever. That was just going to be it.

How exciting that a year after having my youngest I'm in a size 10 and on the way down. That's a good thing. It's encouraging. And I never believed it would happen.

So, if you're reading this and thinking that you'll never get to where you want to be....just start. Do something. Anything. You can do it.