How We Birthday Around Here

Twice a year, we have a big birthday bash- the Spring Fling and the Fall Fest. Between my sister's family and mine, we celebrate all the spring birthdays at one, and all the fall birthdays at the other. After the first year of doing birthdays this way, Kyle felt that we needed to somehow celebrate the birthday kid's special day other than just saying: "Happy Birthday!!" So we started this new tradition: on their special day, the birthday kid gets to choose one friend to celebrate with. We give them a choice: Chuck E Cheese or Jump Town. Elena vaccilated for several months about where she wanted to go and who she wanted to go with. In the end, she chose her best friend, Sophie, my friend Gretchen's daughter.

Sophie is a year younger than Elena. My blondies are short, I tell ya!

So, after spending a little over $30 for this experience, which the girls were tired of after 20 minutes (girls don't like to sweat apparently), I decided this tradition needed some revising.

After we'd been there for 45 minutes, with me encouraging them to "go back and play" several times, Sophie asked Elena: "Can we go back to your house to play?"

That confirmed my plan. Next time around, the birthday kid will decided who they want to spend the day with and they can play together all day at our house (or the park) and we'll take the two out to eat somewhere fun. Less cost, which you know I love, and more quality time together. I wish I'd thought of it a year ago!

A Very Happy UnBirthday To Me!

I know you've all been counting the days til my Birthday Poetry Contest. Well, your patience will soon be rewarded. My birthday is 10 days away and this year's poetry theme is
"Roses are Red, Violets are Blue". For all of you rhyming enthusiasts, this is your moment to shine.

Write a short poem (8 lines max) about yours truly, who shall very soon be 35!! Email your poems to me here. On my birthday (January 30th for you who are still in your robes with coffee in hand), I'll publish all the poems and you'll vote for your favorite. The winning poet will win a prize.

The Deadline is Fast Approaching!

I've gotten some great poems in! Thank you all so much! I'll be posting them on Wednesday afternoon (my birthday), so you all can vote for the best one. If you haven't submitted your poem yet, it's not too late! I would hate for anyone to miss out on the great prize that awaits them. (It really is a great prize, trust me on this!)
~Ginger

I had so much fun with that limerick contest that I've decided to have a poetry contest myself.
Next week is my birthday. With the way the kids are all talking it up, I'm really looking forward to it. All their cute little secrets make me eager for January 30th. How old will I be next week, you ask? Well, I'll be a year older than I am now, thanks so much for asking.
For Elena's first birthday, we had a Dr. Seuss themed party and everyone wrote a poem to commemorate her first year. It was quite a hoot! So, in honor of my birthday, I'd like a poem.

• Before noon of next Wednesday, Jan. 30th (that'd be my birthday) you may enter one poem into the contest.
  
• Your poem may be any style (couplet, free verse, iambic pentameter) so long as it is your own.
  
• Submit your poem here. Do not put it in the comments.
• On January 30th (my birthday), I'll post all the poems for your judgment.
  
• The poet with the most votes will win a Starbucks product.

My Elena

This is what I found when I went upstairs to go to bed last night. Elena loves to sleep in our bed, even for a little while (as we almost never let her stay the whole night - she looks peaceful here, but she kicks hard when she's comatose). So I told her she could go to sleep in our bed and instead of moving her to her own bed right away, I just stood and stared at her for a long while. This girl is so precious to me. She's my Elena Glory, my firstborn, and she has made me so proud the way she has adjusted to no longer being the oldest. Psychologists warn against adopting out of birth order, but the Lord never gives those warnings in His exhortations to care for widows and orphans. Elena has had her fleshly side revealed to her and she didn't like it. She realized that she was sinful and selfish indeed, and she has grown and matured so much as a result. There were many times in the first few months when Elena would cry on my shoulder: "I hate how mean I am sometimes!" She has sought and learned how to be a blessing even though it isn't easy. I am so immensely proud of her.
Tomorrow Elena turns 8. Per her wishes, she will be spending the day with her Daddy. He's taking her for a donut breakfast in the morning, then he, Pedro, and Elena will go to pick out her birthday gift (from Pedro) - a bike, then Kyle will take her to dinner and a movie for their "date". She's been giddy all day, talking about it.
You can email a birthday wish to Elena at: theclarkkids@gmail.com.