Simple Easter.

As always (or at least usually), we keep our holidays simple. This Easter began with some fun gifts from the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt around the farm, and some delicious Grandma-made cake. The rest of the day was spent hanging out with farm animals, playing soccer, cleaning up the yard, napping, playing video games and reading. (I finished this book today and then began reading this one immediately after and am almost finished - love them both).

Here was our morning, in pictures ...

It was a laid-back, but lovely holiday. I hope your holiday (however you choose to spend it) was wonderful and love-filled.

Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

Love,

Jodi

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Thankful. Oh.So.Thankful. (GIVEAWAY!)

(the Thanksgiving spread at my friend Robin's house - so yummy!)

I have been doing some real soulful thinking lately --- about what this past year has brought me and my family --- and about all the amazing blessings in our lives. And this kind of thinking is very good therapy for the seasonal-affect crud that I go through at the start of these all too short days. Life is good --- even when its not. The old adages about counting your blessings have become more than just overused quotes for me now. I am beginning to "get it". Life is so good when you take deep look at all the beauty that surrounds you.

So, if you will join me, I would like to share some of the blessings of this past year with you and I invite you to do the same.

In no particular order ...

...but this one being the most important of all ...

* Meg has moved in with us for good. Amen x infinity. This is the greatest blessing to ever happen to our family --- and I hope it is true for her as well. She is safe, loved, supported, and she is family now. Truly. We could not even begin to tell you how thankful we are for her. And how very proud.

* Isaac's biological relations were found safe after the horrible quake in Haiti. What an incredible blessing. After all the devastation and loss of life in that country - we were able to locate the Metellus family and help them in whatever ways we could.

* Because of this dog, this dog and this fundraiser --- I have made the most incredible lifelong friends. I could have never imagined being so greatly blessed with the bounty of friends that I have now --- and I am so incredibly grateful! All my peeps at the Bangor Humane Society are such amazing blessings --- as well as all my "downtown" peeps --- my clients --- my mommy friends, my crafting friends, etc. Such a blessing to be surrounded by wonderful people.

* My dream of becoming a professional photographer has been realized. Studio 36 is a dream come true ... and within one year has become so successful that we needed a bigger, better location! It is still a long way from paying all the bills. But I am blessed by the clients who have come into my life, by doing what I love and by the growth potential of the biz.

* This past year has been a healthy one for all. How awesome is that!?

* Uncle Jamie got married. And Isaac was over the moon that he was the "ring master". It was a lovely day ... a beautiful, enchanting ceremony ... and a fresh start to my brother's life.

* We got a kitty! And I love her. Big. Much.

* Disney World! We were blessed with a hard earned trip to DisneyWorld! Ahhh --- the memories are simply awesome. I love that place. So magical. So family oriented. When I think of it, I have this intense urge to go back --- but also this calming, joyful sensation that I have experienced some wonderful things there. (Of which I have yet to post on this blog --- I am so behind in my posts!). And Isaac got to meet Spiderman. For real. So totally cool.

* Love. I --- we --- are blessed by the love in our family on a daily basis. Our little foursome has its ups and downs --- but we are so in love with one another. That is so worth waking up for :)

How about you??? Please leave a comment on the blog about what you are thankful for from this past year.

Heck - let's make this into a giveaway! Post your thankful thought and I will draw a random winner from your messages to receive a gift from my shop.

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Jodi

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Happy Mother's Day.

My annual Mother's Day ritual has been to read and listen to the poem: The Lanyard by Billy Collins. Here it is ... on YouTube:

Enjoy! Happy Mother's Day to all those women who do their absolute best by their children every day ... to all those who wake up every morning and begin their days by thinking of how best to love and protect their children ... how best to provide for them ... how best to fuel their self-confidences ... how best to encourage them, etc. Thank you to all the totally awesome Moms out there who make the world a better place.

Enjoy your day!
Love,
Jodi

P.S. To all those reading this post on Facebook, you will have to click here to see the video.

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Happy Easter!

Nikon D300: $1,500.00

Nikon 50mm Lens: $130.00

Box of Little Chicks: $2.99

--------------------------------

Time Spent Photographing My "Peeps" Photographing One Another: PRICELESS.

We hope you enjoy your peeps too! Happy Easter. And Happy Spring.

Love,

Jodi, Halis & Isaac

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I Like You. 2010.

Ok, so I don't do New Year's Resolutions ... but this year, I was totally open to doing a New Year's Project. At first I thought I would do some sort of a photography project ... then I realized that that is basically what I do for a living now (see this) ... so I wanted something that stretched my brain a bit more.

One night, I picked up my copy of "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence" by Amy Sedaris ... and a lightbulb went off in my brain. YES! (I said to self..) YES! I WILL COOK, AND ENTERTAIN MY WAY THROUGH THIS ENTIRE BOOK OVER 2010. AND I WILL BLOG ABOUT IT. GENIUS!

So, I made the Chocolate Cake recipe on page 58. Then I called my friend Missy to tell her about it. I was so excited. Her response was that she figured my energy for this idea would last about a month. (Aren't friends great?). And then she told me about Julia & Julia. I was deflated. Apparently my idea has all been done before. Of course I know that there is rarely anything new under the sun ... so I was fine with this all being done before ... however, I was deflated by hearing that a major motion picture had been made about the true story of a woman who blogged her way through a Julia Child cookbook ... and that nearly everyone in America has heard about it. This would mean, that if I went ahead with my idea, I would seem to be riding on the coat tails of someone else's idea ... and not my own. I hate that. I am ORIGINAL, DAMN IT! I can't help it if my genius was stolen even before I got to it! (breathe, Jodi, breathe).

Anywhoo --- To heck with it --- I am doing it anyway. I think Amy Sedaris would approve. In fact, I think she would be proud that someone took on this pop culture "cook & blog" idea with a bit of sass and a bottle of whiskey (she highly recommends drinking while cooking. I agree. Cooking sucks without it).

And if anyone else out there has decided to blog their way through Amy's book --- I SO thought of it first. And my Dad is bigger than your Dad. So there.

Love,
Jodi

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Christmas Eve 2009.

Ever since creating this blog, nearly 4 years ago, I have loved chronicling all our adventures here ... especially our holidays. But this year, I have really slacked on the Christmas sharing. And perhaps you are not feeling as though you are missing out on anything (admit it!) - but because I basically use this blog as a substitute for any kind of tangible family scrapbook - I am now going to write a few posts in reflection of our 2009 Christmas joys.

Let's begin with Christmas Eve ... one of my favorite days of the year. The day is filled with such wonderful anticipation for the morning to follow ... and includes some of our most cherished holiday activities/traditions. Each year, I write a list of all the activities that we want to accomplish before bedtime. Usually Daddy doesn't come home from work until mid-afternoon, so we wait till he joins us before we begin accomplishing our Christmas Eve "to-do" list. (Everything is better when we are all a part of it :)

This years list looked much as the same as previous years. And it went exactly like this:

* Make brownies for Santa

* Make Reindeer food

* Make mixed drinks for Mama & Daddy / chocolate milk for Isaac

* Go out to the barn to see if the goats can talk

* Take showers & put on fresh jammies

* Take pic by the tree

* Start pot roast in crock pot

* Wrap Daddy's gifts from Isaac

* Get Bobo & Poppy's gifts ready for morning

* Change bed linens

* Hop into bed and read all our favorite Christmas books together

* Sleep so Santa will come.

Isaac and I made the above list together. And we checked it often to make sure we were on track. The brownies Isaac made for Santa were organic ... because we are just that cool. And the Reindeer food was a recipe that Isaac created from scratch ... a mixture of oats, cut carrots, magic flying dust (sparkles) and loads of maple syrup. We placed the food carefully under an outdoor light so the Reindeer would be sure to see it glisten. Then we paid a visit to the barn to see if Emily & Me were going to talk to us --- as animals have been reported to do on Christmas Eve. Aside from the "Maa-ing" - they were mute. Once inside, the mixed drinks put Daddy right to sleep. Isaac and I took showers and then put on some snuggly, new jammies. Daddy fell asleep in whatever clothes he wore that day. Isaac took his customary pictures by the tree (yes, that is the "Charlie Brown tree" that we cut from our front yard - by far my fave Christmas tree ever). After 12+ hours in the crock pot, I was told that the pot roast was good ... but I didn't eat it, so I have no idea. All gifts were wrapped this year (kudos to Mommy - I think this is a first) - with the exception of a gift Daddy forgot in the car. Isaac and I read all our fave books with wonder and delight at what was to come for us in the morning --- from good 'ole Saint Nick. Oh yes ... and the sheets were changed prior to Daddy's belly flop onto the bed ... So ALL Got Done!

Oh, and Daddy even started a new tradition that will now be listed on our Christmas Eve "to-do" lists for years to come. He created a fireworks display outside in the snow ... just for us ... even though the area cop parks right across the street every night in an attempt to catch speeders. As soon as the fireworks were over - we ran inside as fast as we could to avoid detection. Good Christmas fun, I say!

We even got a picture of Isaac's missing front teeth!

Christmas Eve rocked. It was just the three of us ... oh so cozy and in love with one another ... and it felt so darn good. I love this family of mine ... and every year I am reminded that before Isaac came along ... there were years and years that all I wanted for Christmas was a child ... my child ... and he is here. Every year now, I receive the same gift over and over again ... the gift of being Isaac's Mommy ... and of sharing all these wonderful joys with him and his Daddy.

I hope you all felt the warmth and beauty of your own families & traditions this year ... and for the new year to come.

xoxo,

Jodi

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Merry Christmas!

Thanks to Daddy for taking this pic with his Blackberry .... after Isaac said, "Daddy, Can you please take a pic of me loving Mama?". That's my boy :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

xoxo,

Jodi & Family

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Christmas Gift #3 : (For My Blog Readers)

When George begins to figure it all out ... gets me every time ...

You can watch the whole movie on YouTube: here. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night.

xoxo,

Jodi & Family

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Christmas Gift #2: (For My Blog Readers)

Love,
Jodi

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Christmas Gift #1 : (For My Blog Readers)

Love,
Jodi

P.S. You should see Isaac break dance to this. He rocks this one out :)

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Goody Bags for the Ronald McDonald House of Bangor.

Every year at Christmas, our little family of 3 looks for ways in which to specifically help our community. We certainly do what we can all year through --- but in an effort to show Isaac that Christmas is truly about giving to others --- we look for ways to give in a meaningful and personal way.

This year, we decided to create craft "goody" bags for the children who stay at the Ronald McDonald House of Bangor. This was partly Isaac's idea --- as he suggested we do something to help children. I told him what the Ronald McDonald House was all about --- and he was all for it. (He also wanted to continue our tradition of visiting the Maine Veterans Home on Christmas Day --- which we plan to do as well).

So --- after speaking with the Director of Volunteers at the House --- we decided to create goody bags full of fun crafting kits and craft supplies to be distributed to the children staying at the home. For the most part, these bags will be distributed to siblings of children who are receiving medical attention at the nearby Eastern Maine Medical Center. Last year, 300+ families were served by the Home. Though we are not currently able to create as many bags as could be distributed within a given year, we pledged to the home that we would not only make as many as we could at this time, but that we would do our best to replenish them as needed (a wonderful way to give Isaac a charitable focus throughout the year).

My Mom and I shopped for goodies to include in the bags --- mostly at JoAnn's and Mardens --- and as we did, we tried to imagine how these siblings must feel --- perhaps scared for their brother/sister, a bit lonely because Mom & Dad are so focused on the child in need, etc. It made the shopping meaningful --- and we would get giddy when we found goodies that we imagined would delight the children involved --- and help to keep their minds occupied with positive thoughts.

After all the shopping was done, I asked a few friends to help put the bags together --- and sweet, sweet Katrina and her Mom, BJ, came by the studio to help organize the bags. They did a perfect job. Katrina put herself in the mind frame of a child going through a difficult time, and put the bags together with much love.

My lovely friend Katie also joined us (with her baby Max in utero!) --- wrapping presents for the Maine Veterans Home (I will post about this later). She was a huge help --- wrapping all manner of 2010 calendars for the men and women of the Veterans Home (a special request by the staff).

Isaac and his fave girl, Sydney, were also involved --- entertaining each other with crafts and silliness while the rest of us worked on wrapping and organizing. They had a great time --- which allowed Mom to get much done :)

Now, we look forward to bringing the finished bags to the Ronald McDonald House. Though we won't witness any children using the goodies in these bags --- I imagine that the gifts will be received with smiles by both the children and their parents. And hopefully --- in some small way --- these bags will help these families in their healing.

Thank you to the Ronald McDonald house for everything they do! And thanks to my Mom and friends for all their assistance and good Karma :)

Love,

Jodi

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The Studio - so far.

There was a time, seemingly long ago, when I posted to this blog daily. Since deciding to open my own photography studio --- well --- not so much. And I miss it. Heck, I miss alot of things now that my life has taken this new direction --- but it is all good. Truly.

Last night we celebrated the holidays with a Holiday Open House & Craft Fair at Studio 36. It was simply wonderful! We had 9 vendors selling and trading their wares --- many, many lovely friends and family members dropped by to purchase goodies, eat cookies and share conversation --- new friendships were formed --- and the children enjoyed one another almost as much as the endless bowls of cookies. It was a great night. (Thank you to all who came!).

It was such a fun night that I had no time to photograph it. I am bummed about that. But you will just have to trust me --- it was a really great time.

I do however, have some pics to share of Halis and Isaac modeling for me at the studio so that I could play with my new lighting equipment:

Believe me, I see the "issues" with some of the above pics ... and am still working on mastering my new lighting equipment. And thanks to my men ... I will always have willing models to help me get it right.

Next week, several of my young friends are coming together at the studio to organize some gifts for our local Ronald McDonald House and our Maine Veterans Home. Hopefully I will remember to take pictures :)

Have a great weekend! And thanks for reading.

Love,

Jodi

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The Story of Isaac's 2009 Halloween Costume.

It's a bit of a long one. But I will try to make it short.

Isaac wanted to be a ghost for Halloween this year. At first, I thought this was a great idea. So, we bought the white sheet at Goodwill ... along with a long-sleeved white shirt. I was prepared to sew this costume up in a jiffy and have Halloween only cost $3.99. Hooray, right? Well, later I would realize that if he were wearing a white sheet to any of his many Halloween parties he would have to take his entire costume off to eat or to participate in any of the games, etc. Perhaps a ghost was good for Trick-or-Treat, but not so good for anything else.

However, Isaac was set on being a ghost for everything. So, as I often do, I sought the wisdom of other Moms in figuring out how to create a ghost costume that was more versatile. On a random trip to our local library, I asked a librarian about what she thought I might do so that Isaac could wear a ghost costume to their annual library party and still participate in activities. She sweetly and thoughtfully suggested that I make his costume in two parts. She told me to sew the sheet so that it draped around his body beginning at the shoulders ... create holes for the arms to go through (he would be wearing the white shirt) ... and then create a ghostly hood (yes, she said hood) for his head ... complete with eye holes ... that he can take off when it is time for games or eating. She went on to suggest that I also paint his face white so that when he took the hood off he would still look like a ghost. Now ... if you aren't laughing or mortified by this point ... please take a good look at my son ... and conjure up an image using the following words: black boy, white sheet, removable hood with eye holes only, and white face paint. Think about it. I looked at the librarian for a moment, looked back at my son, then turned to the librarian and gave her a look that must have said, "Seriously?". She then thought about all the advice she had offered and quickly said ... "Oh my goodness. Wait a minute. Don't do anything I said!" Bless her heart.

For days after, I continued to ponder how in the world I could make this ghost look more ghost and less "triple K". I asked Isaac if there was anything else in the world he would like to be for Halloween. Each time he firmly replied "No." I then went back to Goodwill and found the coolest EMT/Firefighter jacket for $2.99. When I brought it home to him I told him he could be a "Rescue Man" for Halloween. I grabbed a stethoscope, ax, badge, and flashlight from his dress-up box and proceeded to show him how cool he could look for Halloween. He loved it! The only thing missing was his firefighter hat. We knew it was somewhere (as he had just recently worn it) and assured him that we would surely find it before any of his Halloween parties.

The day of his first Halloween party came and ... no hat. We couldn't find it anywhere. We had no time for shopping, so I told him that we would surely find it before his second party. He was fine with that ... and enjoyed his party.

An hour before his second party, we combed the area (both our home and area stores) for a firefighters hat and came up empty. Isaac absolutely wanted something for his head, so we checked out the new Halloween store (creepy, creepy, creepy) ... and after much searching ... we decided that Isaac would wear a wig with his costume. At the wig wall - I suggested he pick one out that made him look like a Man ... like Daddy or his Poppy. He then chose the long brunette wig that came with the 'Naughty Nurse' outfit. Hmmm ... "Um, buddy, we don't need to buy a whole outfit ... just a wig. Can you check these out? (pointing to the male wigs - not that I have any problem with transvestites : )" He then chose the Napolean Dynamite wig because it came with glasses. Ok. That works.

I've got to tell you --- every time I looked at him while he wore that wig --- I laughed so heartily that Isaac would get the giggles too. What a riot. His second party was so much fun (thanks to Barbara for the invite). There was a gypsy who read palms ... a haunted house to walk through ... an egg & spoon obstacle course ... and bobbing for doughnuts (Isaac's fave) ...

His wig was a big hit. Someone actually thought it was his real hair (I am not sure what their alcohol intake was). His look made me laugh so much that I was getting pretty excited to take him out in it for Trick-or-Treat. When we got home --- Daddy cracked up at him too. Knowing we would be seeing many friends on Halloween night ... we began to really love the idea of this foolish wig. But then ... Isaac found his original firefighter hat ... under the couch ... and it was all over. Ugh. Now Isaac wants Mommy to wear the wig and glasses for Trick-or-Treat. Not what I had in mind.

So - there you have it ... this year's costume tale. A long post to be sure ... and if you are still with me to this point ... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

xo,

Jodi

P.S. Show me your costumes too!. And while your at it, check this one out. Super cool!

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July 4th 1776 (or thereabouts).

There are many "tall tales" about how America won its independence from Great Britain. Heck, there are millions of tall tales about most of our history. And though there is much false information out there masquerading itself as truth ... much of it does have roots in the truth until someone saw fit to blow it a bit out of proportion (such is the human condition).

So, when a friend of mine sent me the following mass forwarded e-mail, I checked it out on Snopes.com (seekers of truth). And - as I might have expected - most of it is true - with a little exaggeration thrown in the mix to spice things up a bit...

"Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes,and their sacred honor.What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.Eleven were merchants,nine were farmers and large plantation owners;men of means, well educated,but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed,and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his grist mill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free! It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer,picnics, and baseball games."

So - my fellow Americans (with sincere sympathies to my Native American friends) ... let us celebrate the tenacity of the American spirit ... three cheers for the bold and brave men and women who risked their lives to create a truly FREE country. America is still a most amazing country ... and one to be proud of ... but there are many freedoms for which we take for granted ... and thus have allowed politicians, corporations and news media to slowly take them from us. Today --- let us take a vow to follow the lead of our forefathers & mothers ... and to take our freedoms back! Let us read the Declaration of Independence again --- out loud --- to ourselves and to our children so that we always remember who we are and what we stand for. Then - for good measure - let us read our Constitution over and over and over again until we know it by heart - so that we (and our children) can maintain and uphold the principles of that amazing document.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY my fellow Americans! Long Live America.

Love,
Jodi

P.S. Always remember - POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

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Remember.

Please remember that today is not about hot dogs and pool parties. Today is a sacred day for remembering our dead ... especially those who gave their lives for our country.

Thank you Pepere. You are my hero ... even now that you are gone from this earth ... I know you are still protecting me.

And thank you Mr.T for all that you did in the name of freedom.

Love,
Jodi (aka Babe)

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My Mother's Day Ritual : To Listen to THIS Poem:

Enjoy your day!

Love,
Jodi

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Happy Easter!

Love,
Jodi & Family

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Easter Goody Exchange, Anyone?

Wow, this economy is getting tough. I may not understand all the ins and outs of the economics of this recession ... but I do know that it is finally hitting home. My husband has had to take a significant cut in salary (and I do mean significant). So, much is going to have to change around here. Also, he will be taking a leave of absence from work in order to take over my father's business while Dad is recovering from surgery. So, we are looking at several weeks without pay. BUT, I am the eternal optimist and I love a good challenge! I am just going to have to be very creative with our money ... and I actually find some joy in that. I will certainly share with you all that I learn on this journey. Though I have always been frugal, I am going to have to step it up a bit ... and what I learn along the way, I will certainly share ... because I know that we are all in this recession thing together!

For starters, I was recently thinking about Easter. We have always been frugal about holidays ... trying to give Isaac mostly handmade goodies ... while perpetuating the significance of a holiday rather than the "receiving of gifts." And Isaac is really not the kind of kid who wants for anything (which I attribute to his lack of commercial television). Even so, I want him to wake up on Easter Sunday to a sweet little basket of goodies to celebrate the arrival of spring. One year, I joined a handmade Easter goody exchange ... and it was wonderful. I think there were about 14 kids involved. Each Mom made 14 of the same goody, then we shipped them all to one person, who then distributed all goodies to each participant. It was lovely. So - I am wondering if any of my fellow crafty bloggers & friends would like to do the same?

Please let me know in the comment section of this blog post asap and I will begin to organize the exchange. The number of items that each of us will make will be based on the number of children involved. For the sake of time, I would like to keep it to under 15 kids ... so if you are interested, please "sign-up" right away with the number of children that you have and their ages ... as well as the items that you wish to contribute.

This should be so fun! And please note that the items you make do not have to be anything grand ... just special.

As for my contribution, I will be making a pin set for each child over 3 (as seen in my shop) as well as a packet of lupine seeds for each child. I may add more depending on whether time allows for it.

Love to all,

Jodi

P.S. Details of the exchange will be posted once we have enough interested parties. Thank you!

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Isaac's "Frugal" Birthday Party.

I love hosting birthday parties "on the cheap". I whole heartily believe in keeping things simple for Isaac so that he appreciates all that he has in life ... without the expectation of the "more, more, more" attitude that seems to prevail in our society. So, I make it a goal at Christmas, Easter, and his Birthday, to keep things as simple and homey as possible. And I have alot of fun with it. So does he.

This year, I found a party package of Pinocchio goods at Goodwill for $1.99. It included matching plates, napkins, hats, and a tablecloth. I then added some matching handmade-by-me placemats to the table.

The 3 cakes were both made by me - from scratch. The castle cake was made using a mold that I borrowed from my mother. I sprinkled the cake with powdered sugar, then scooped cool whip into the center. For the decorative piece, I printed 2 wallet sized pics of Isaac & "his princess" and glued them to a popsicle stick, then stuck it into the cake ... as a sort of castle flag. And each tower was used for holding each of his four candles. Perfect. He loved it. And it cost less than $5 to make.

I also made a second cake for the adults ... a Pineapple Upside Down cake. I got the recipe from a child's cookbook. And this too cost me less than $5 to make from scratch ... and it was SO delicious! (Leave a comment here if you want the recipe - and I will post it.)

As for decorations, I usually post baby pics around the birthday table ... reminding guests of how much Isaac has grown. But this year, Isaac's Auntie had the wonderful idea to trace Isaac onto brown packaging paper ... let him color himself in with crayons ... and then post it on the door for the party. Another way to show how much he has grown. And he absolutely loved it!

The party was a wonderful success. Mommy and Daddy got him this great tea set made from recycled milk jugs. And although his grandparents doubted it at first - Isaac loved this gift just as I knew he would. He also received other wonderful gifts that totally made his day ... Legos, Playmobil, Tonka truck, Melissa & Doug Jumbo Blocks, etc. His Auntie even gave him the pet turtle that he has been longing for.

We enjoyed immediate family: 2 sets of Grandparents, Auntie & Uncle, and 3 cousins. A lovely, manageable gathering of our closest loved ones (although we wish Uncle Jamie & Aunt Amy were there too).

As for party games ... we all went out and played in the mud after. Buckets & spoons were all that was required ... and I have never seen kids laugh so hard. Again --- good times "on the cheap". Very easily done and oh so appreciated by all.

I hope you find some inspiration to create your own frugal get-togethers. What matters most seems to cost the least :)

Love,

Jodi

P.S. To see all of Isaac's Birthday photos, click here and then click on the thumbnails to see each picture.

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Happy 4th Birthday Isaac!

Happy Birthday my sweet son. You have grown so very much.

Here is the day that you were brought to Three Angels Orphanage --- to wait for your Mommy & Daddy to find you. You were under a week old:

Here you are on your 2nd birthday. Mommy decided to start a new tradition of photographing you in your Daddy's shirt every year on your birthday to show how big you have gotten:

Your 3rd birthday:

And today:

Wow! Check out that shirt on you now! You are SO going to be bigger than your Daddy in no time.

We love you so much. We are so incredibly proud of you. You are sweet beyond comprehension ... you are so smart ... so respectful ... so hilarious ... and such a joy to be around. Man - we are crazy about you.

Happy Birthday Baby :)

~ Mommy & Daddy

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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