Happy "New Big Honking Monitor To Me" Birthday!

Free Candy For Everyone: "Happy Birthday To Me
Filed under:World of Warcraft, Gadgets — Tara @ 11:55 pm

It was my birthday this weekend, so of course I needed to get myself something really nice. What to get, what to get? Well. A few weeks ago, my monitor blew up. Yes it did. What was I doing at the time? Playing World of Warcraft, of course. It was quite dismaying. I had no recourse but to push the power button on my machine - no nice log off, no returning to a town. I left my character out in the cold wilderness since I had no way to see what I was doing.

But what was I to do? My lovely 21″ Trinitron was dead. There had been a scary pop and all attempts to turn it on yielded only a cycling clicking sound. Not good. After booting up my trusty laptop and doing some web research, I realized I needed to have this monitor. A 24″ wide screen LCD with a native resolution of 1920×1200. Well. It seems that WoW actually supports this resolution. Oooh. Ok, must have. After waiting a bit for it to go on sale, I managed to find a massive coupon for 35% off and ordered it this week."


Here's a smart cookie who turned a disaster into a great birthday present to herself. All the better to play games with, my dear. He-he-hee!

(Sorry, I turned into The Wicked Witch of the West there a second. Halloween IS coming.)

And she got it discounted. Happy birthday, Tara!

This Birthday Is In The Bags

Hot Momma Drama: Time for a birthday story...---Hot Celebrity Gossip Served Up Nice and Fresh: " So many of you know last week was my birthday. It's really no big deal..I'm not one of those people who announces to everyone I see on that day that , 'Hey..it's my birthday.' In fact, I had lunch on my birthday with my friend Julie..and she had NO idea it was my birthday. Granted she felt like a big dork when she found out 3 days later..but oh well. Anyway..the point is I got some sweet CASH-ola for my b-day. Which is the best present you can get..( I dont' care what anyone says..it is!) So tonight I decided to go out and spend it."


This blog just goes to show that a frugal gal can go right off the deep end for her birthday!

Overcoming Un-Merry Birthday Memories

Maragold's Fancy: BIRTHDAY - P45blogs.net: "BIRTHDAY

I don't do birthdays. The Gnome says I give him 'mixed messages' because I remind him of the date but when it comes down to where to go and what to do, I avoid commitment.

I realise this. I realise that as the day approaches I get tenser and tenser, not knowing what to say or do. I realise I get irritable.

May I share some of my birthday stories? Sit down, they're long. You may want to pee first because if you wiggle when I get to the teary part I'll smack you.

I am one of six kids (2 older boys, three younger) and my parents had very little money. On our birthdays, around 1 pm we got one present, Mom made a cake, we had hot dogs and crisps and it was all over by 1.15. This was the ritual until I was about ten and the youngest boys finally understood there would be no balloons, entertainment or games and stopped, well, participating is the word I want. No one had a party with friends or relatives.

Everyone's birthdays fall in June, July and August except for mine (likely part of my parent's problem, no time to save up, hmmm, new insight there) One year, my father actually complained when he saw my mother lighting the candles on the third birthday in a month: 'Good lord, it never ends, does it?' He was not kidding. He wasn't smiling and he left the room after we sang the song."


Here's someone who intends to have a happy birthday no matter what. At 43, she's had ONE nice party and she threw it herself. Good for her!

Dysfunctional families. Don't you just love them? NOT.

I admire this lady's determination to overcome it and see the joy and blessing of reaching forty-three. You go, girl!

Another Book of Birthday Stories--and Here's An Author!

lisayee: Opposite of Italian: "Opposite of Italian
Got my copies of THE YEAR WE MISSED MY BIRTHDAY (Scholastic) yesterday in the mail. It's an anthology of birthday stories and I have one in it called 'The Opposite of Miffy.' My story involves sushi, prison and electric shopping carts. Other authors who have stories in the book include Lois Lowry, Norma Fox Mazer, Sharon Robinson, and Lois Metzger. I think the book is only available via Scholastic Book Clubs."


Sushi, prison and electric shopping carts? It's got to be anything but an ordinary birthday story!

I consumed many a Scholastic Book as a young 'un. I bet I would enjoy this one too. Guess I better scare me up a kid to keep me supplied with goodies like this.

How About a Poker Birthday Party?

The Online Series Of Poker - Multisite Poker Tournament: "How To Throw The Perfect Poker Party

Every Thursday, Stacey Stefanich and some friends go to an Applebee's restaurant to have dinner and a drink or two.

But the meal is just a preamble.

The night really starts at 7:30, when they gather around poker tables at a friend's house to best one another with a couple decks of cards and some poker chips.

Poker's popularity has exploded in the past couple of years. Chris Moneymaker, an accountant from Tennessee with only online poker experience, was a major catalyst when he won the 2003 World Series of Poker. People now obsessively watch poker on television and play online.

And poker parties are becoming more common and even a regular part of some people's social lives."


It's not just for fellas anymore. This blog talks about a lady who regularly plays with the guys and occasionally wins! Know a female whose birthday is coming up? Want a new idea for how to celebrate it? An all-girls or guys-and-girls poker night birthday party could be fun.

October Baby's First Birthday Ideas

baby's birthday: "Fall 1st Birthday:
Purchase Anne Geddes plain note cards (the one with the pumpkin). Print on paper for inside (I understand these are hard to find)
'Our Little Pun'kin is turning ONE!'
Cake: Pumpkin cake made in a bundt pan. Frosted orange and decorated with autumn foliage (artificial) in the center. Mini bundt cakes for children with tootsie roll for stem. Serve with pecan praline ice cream.
Activity: Go to the pumpkin patch and choose your pumpkins. Have a pumpkin carving contest."


These are all good ideas. I particularly like the Anne Geddes note cards. Have you seen her astounding baby pictures? What she does with babies? Incredible stuff. Even if you're (gasp!) NOT into babies, you can't help but smile her Anne Geddes pictures.

Two Birthday Stories With Great Charm!

DenverPost.com Bloghouse » Birthday story: "Birthday story
Photo by Julie Soulen / Colorado Journal
So, I was sitting on the front step, doing nothing in particular,
when Julie appeared on the road, just cresting the steep hill
about a quarter mile away. Now, this was not unexpected
since she had left on her morning walk a half hour
or so before. Also, just as expected, Dude the Dog
could be seen trotting along beside her, his tail
a golden banner in the early sun.

No, the scene was as I have witnessed it
countless times before on those days
when I am too tired or too lazy to accompany
them on that two-mile trek. What was unusual
was the sight of a big, white balloon
floating above her head. And it followed her
all the way up the road, through the gate
and right up to the steps where I was sitting.

“Happy birthday!” she smiled, and handed me her prize.

“You shouldn’t have,” I responded, accepting the gift
and watching it bob about playfully in the breeze.

“Well, to be honest, I didn’t. I found it. It was stuck in a tree over on Pete’s Road. Isn’t it a hoot!? Some little girl let it go way down in town and it sailed all the way up here and I found it!”

She was actually beaming."


There's more to this story, then goes into another story. Both are charming birthday stories well worth your time. Check it out.

Collect Birthday Friends For Marathon Celebrations!

A View from Sierra County: "Edging Toward A Celebration

Counting Down the Days

My birthday is rapidly approaching, ushering in a brief season of celebration. For the past couple of decades, I have collected friends that are fellow Libras, and found ways to celebrate our birthdays together, with events stretching out at least a week on one side and the other of the actual date. One year, my friend Suzi (whose birthday is exactly a week ahead of mine) threw a killer birthday bash to ease into becoming an elder (it was her 50th)... including flying in crab and hiring two different bands for two nights' worth of dancing at a lodge up in the Gold Lakes Basin."


Now THAT'S cool--collecting friends who share your birthday month. Go ahead and read this birthday girl's blog. She has lots of good ideas and stories about birthdays.

She's a knitter. No wonder she's so creative!

A Book of Birthday Stories to Savor

book blog: Birthday Stories: Selected and Introduced by Haruki Murakami: "Birthday Stories: Selected and Introduced by Haruki Murakami


Its been a long while since I've read. And though this not exactly the right time to read, oh hell... what the heck. Haruki Murakami, who am I kidding... especially when I saw it on the library shelf waiting for me to read it.

I picked it up.

I read it.

Though, this is anthology of a variety of stories all having the same theme. Birthdays.

It was a surprising book for me. Some of the stories are endearing. Some are heart-breaking. Perhaps, I've been lucky. All 23 of the birthdays I had was wonderful so far. Sure, there are some years that I wished it was better... but mostly, I was happy. I never had or could imagine a sad birthday. And one of the stories, broke my heart... The Birthday Cake by Daniel Lyons...

I can't exactly say that I enjoyed this book... for to me, I still love After the quake. It is to me, one of the best short stories ever compiled into one book..."


Everyone has birthday stories and some are bound to be sad. I wouldn't care to share a birthday with Hitler, for instance. Or have my 21st birthday be on THE 9/11.

This is a cool idea. A collection of short stories, all about birthdays, could be a great birthday present for the reader you know and love.

Happy Birthday Song Copyright Protected

News Bits: Happy Birthday Copyright Protected: "Happy Birthday Copyright Protected

Taken from Snopes

The 'Happy Birthday' story begins with two sisters from Kentucky, Mildred J. Hill and Patty Smith Hill. Patty Smith Hill, born in 1868, was a nursery school and kindergarten teacher and an influential educator who developed the 'Patty Hill blocks' used in schools nationwide, served on the faculty of the Columbia University Teachers College for thirty years, and helped found the Institute of Child Welfare Research at Columbia in 1924. Patty's older sister, Mildred, born in 1859, started out as a kindergarten and Sunday-school teacher like her sister, but her career path took a musical turn, and Mildred became an composer, organist, concert pianist, and a musical scholar with an speciality in the field of Negro spirituals. One day in 1893, while Mildred was teaching at the Louisville Experimental Kindergarten School where her sister served as principal, she came up with the modest melody we now know as 'Happy Birthday'; sister Patty added some simple lyrics and completed the creation of 'Good Morning to All,' a simple greeting song for teachers to use in welcoming students to class each day:

Good morning to you,
Good morning to you,
Good morning, dear children,
Good morning to all."


We have these ladies to thank for the melody, and an unknown person contributed the lyrics. Singing it to family and friends on their birthdays is okay, but get up on stage and warble it and you need to pay for the right. Who knew?

My Chemical Romance Birthday Story

Looking for my 100 dollar bill . . .: My birthday story: "My birthday story
So, last night had to have been one of the BEST nights of my life!! Granted, the events leading up to the MOST AMAZING THING EVER weren't all that great, but the end result was SO good, that I just forgot about all of the crap I had to go through to get there.

First of all, I guess I should explain myself. . . I went to the My Chemical Romance concert last night in St. Paul. It's my birthday today, so, as a birthday present, my sister got me tickets and a hotel room for herself and me. I left Brookings about 10 a.m. and drove, and drove, and drove (withOUT air conditioning, mind you). So, that kinda sucked. But, I finally got to Shakopee, where I was supposed to meet my sister. Only to find out, that she was running behind and had NO idea how to get there. So, NUMEROUS phone calls later, we finally caught one another and set out to look for the hotel room.

Yeah. . . or so we thought..."


Shall I give away the ending? Her super treat was meeting with and talking to the lead singer of My Chemical Romance, Gerard Way, and he signed their ticket stubs. As she says, "But, to say the least, it was the BEST birthday present ever!!!"

Top Ten Birthday Stories, Plus One!

Mommy Grows Up: Birthday Monday: "Birthday Monday

My birthday is this week, so I am offering both a birthday story and a birthday top ten.

First, the story. Katie is currently obsessed with birthdays. Especially mine. This is due, largely in part, to the Dora story which she insists on hearing every night. And I mean every night. It's the Dora story where Dora goes on a trip to gather the ingredients for a recipe for her Mami's birthday cake. She gets nuts, bananas and chocolate - the chocolate from a chocolate tree which, quite frankly, I want to know the whereabouts of.

So, anyway, Katie is obsessed with my birthday. Our neighbors were strolling down the street the other day and we were chatting when Katie announces that it's 'my mommy's birthday!' And I say, well, not today, but soon. Frankie, our neighbor's oldest child who is five, looks at me and asks me how old I am. And I say, very dramatically, 'I'm going to be a HUNDRED years old!' And both Frankie and Zoe get very quiet. At which point their mother whispers to me, 'That's how old we tell them people are when they go to heaven.' Doh! So in honor of my birthday, I've traumatized the neighbor's children.

And also speaking of birthdays, I've decided that today's top ten is my top ten memorable birthdays. As usual, in no particular order."


Want to hear about birthdays? Stories of ones that went right and ones that went horribly wrong? You're in for a treat. Read this!

Marmellies Birthday Party Game

Party Game Central- Party games and birthday games for kids and adults: "MARMELLIES
Objective: A hilarious game where players try to place marshmallows with a wooden spoon while a bit dizzy.

Categories:
Relay Race, Birthdays
Game type:
Passive. Little or no movement is required.
Players:
2 to 6 players.
Needed: 2 bowls, small marshmallows, wooden spoon, oven mitts, blind fold

Rules: Take 2 bowls and fill one up with small marshmallows. Get 2 oven mitts and put them on the player. Get a blind fold and wrap it around the person's eyes and spin them 10 times. Give them a wooden spoon and they have to take as many marshmallows as they can and put them in the empty bowl in 1min. Count the marshmallows. Each player get a chance and the player with the most marshmallows in the bowl.

Submitted by: Sylvie Byrnes, Sudbury, ON ,Canada"


Great fun for a family birthday party! The kids would get a giggle watching Daddy get blindfolded, oven-mitted and dizzy, then try to move marshmallows. Makes me giggle imagining my dad doing it. Why do I think moms could do it best?

Five Star No Bake Birthday Cake Recipe!

cake | Full Page Printable Format: "Angel Cake Surprise
An easy, quick no-bake cake made with angel food cake,
fruit, flavored gelatin, and whipped topping. Prep Time:
approx. 20 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 2 Hours 20 Minutes.
Makes 1 - 9x13 pan (24 servings).
Printed from Allrecipes, Submitted by Mel
1 (10 inch tube pan) angel
food cake
1 (3 ounce) package
strawberry flavored gelatin
1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches
3 bananas
1 (5 ounce) package instant
vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen
whipped topping, thawed
1 (20 ounce) can crushed
pineapple, drained

Directions
1 Break angel food or pound cake into bite size pieces.
Put into a 9x13 inch pan (preferably glass).
2 Dissolve 1 package of flavored gelatin in 1 cup of
water and pour over cake pieces, spreading to the edges of
pan. Drain the peaches and pour the juice over the gelatin
in the pan. Slice bananas on top of gelatin. Arrange
peach slices on top of banana slices. If desired, add
crushed pineapple.
3 Prepare instant pudding according to instructions on
box and spread evenly over fruit.
4 Spread whipped topping on top of the pudding. Try to
keep the layers separate.
5 Refrigerate at least 2 hours"


Can't bake because your oven died just when you have a birthday party to host? Not a problem. Look at this delicious creation! Slurp!

Kid's Choo-Choo Train Birthday Cake Decorations

"This is an oh so easy Train cake to decorate...



6 Choo Choo Train Edible Hard Sugar Decorations (see note below)
4 Traffic Signs Edible Hard Sugar Decorations
1 Happy Birthday Plaque Edible Hard Sugar Decoration
1 pkg. Chocolate Pebbles & Rocks
1 Brown Writing-Decorating Gel Tube
1 Black Writing-Decorating Gel Tube

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT
Choo Choo Train Sugars:
The Train Sugars are shaped and colored on one side ONLY. The back of the sugars are FLAT. The Train sugars in the cake photo have been placed standing up but the backs are flat and white. A cute and impressive way to use these Train sugars!"


I was never a little boy, or the mother of a little boy, but this cake kit appeals to me somehow. If you have a train-loving tyke, can't you just imagine him making train noises as he plays with his new birthday train and anticipates eating his train cake?

Birthday Wine Tasting Party & Wine Tasting Game!

Winerd - The Wine Tasting Party Game from Paisley Creek: "Winerd - The Wine Tasting Party Game
Item No: G150
Whether you are hosting a wine tasting party or just a friendly get together with a few close friends, this Winerd Wine Tasting Party Game is sure to be entertaining and educational for all of your wine tasting party guests. This is also a perfect gift for the novice to the connoisseur. The game includes over 300 question and answer cards, 12 bonus/challenge cards, four game pieces and a Blind Taste Test Notepad that guides you through the steps of wine evaluation. For a fun filled evening, just add your own wine and friends. Be sure to check out our guide on Hosting a Wine Tasting Party by clicking here"


What a cool idea for a birthday celebration for the over-21 crowd! You don't even have to be a wine expert. Explore your old or new interest in wines, learn something and have fun together while turning one year older. Can't beat that.

PICTURE PERFECT PARTY WRAPS: Use CHOCOLATE to Promote Your Business

PICTURE PERFECT PARTY WRAPS: Use CHOCOLATE to Promote Your Business: "*Financial Planners: Your clients' needs and situations change over time. Quite often, calling their financial planner isn't a priority - until they hear from their financial planner! Send a personalized chocolate birthday card to your clients that also serves as an invitation for your clients to call you to discuss changes in their financial strategies. Again, people who get lovely little surprise gifts for their birthday tell others about it - and who it was from!"


This is actually a pretty nifty idea. There are lots of suggestions for how to create a memorable impression on potential clients of many businesses. And using a chocolate bar wrapped with your info to hand out along with your business card--beauty!

What's this got to do with birthday ideas? If you're a party planner, what could be more perfect than a chocolate bar with your personalized wrapper?

Multicultural Children's Birthday Party Gear

UzuriKidKidz.com | Multicultural Children's Party Supplies & Accessories: "Welcome to the Uzuri Kid Kidz' website. Uzuri Kid Kidz offers today's consumers multicultural children's party supplies and accessories that represent kids' dreams and activities. Our unique selection of products will not only delight your child, but will guarantee their party is the talk of the neighborhood.

The Uzuri Kid Kidz line is made up of many loveable characters, including sisters, Penny and Pepper, the ballerina detectives. Friend, Dancing Wendy is another Uzuri Kid who will make choosing just one, hard to do!"


These folks say, "We think all kids are beautiful." They have two ballerina detectives, a boy basketball player and other characters on their birthday supplies and accessories. Cute stuff!

Virtual Birthday Coconut Cake?

Moon Stars and Paper: "Happy Birthday An!!!!!!! Here is a picture of your birthday cake!!!!! Hope you have a great day!!! I Love You!!!!!!!!
Here is the recipe for An's Coconut Birthday Cake
Coconut Cake"


If you're into coconut cake, click this link for a recipe that's sure to please. What I don't understand is, did the birthday girl get to EAT her cake? Or did she just get to SEE it? No calories if you're just looking!

Like Wine For Chocolate Birthday Cake Recipe

Chocolate & Zucchini: Announcing WBW13: Like Wine For Chocolate: "Melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Cake

- 200g (2 sticks minus 1 Tbsp) butter
- 200g (7 oz) dark chocolate
- 200g (1 C) sugar
- 4 eggs
- a rounded tablespoon of flour

Note: like all dark chocolate cakes, this cake is best made a day ahead (or at least in the morning if you serve it for dinner).

Pre-heat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper (no need to if you're using a non-stick pan).

Melt together the butter with the chocolate (in a double-boiler or in the microwave slowly and for just a few seconds at a time, blending with a spoon between each pass). Transfer into a medium mixing-bowl. Add in the sugar, stir with a wooden spoon and let cool a little. Add in the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition. Finally, add in the flour and mix well.

Pour the dough into the pan, and put into the oven to bake for 30 minutes. Turn the oven off but leave the cake inside for another ten minutes, then put the pan on a cooling rack on the counter to cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate, and take it out about an hour before serving."


Here's a chocolate cake so rich it's like a brownie. Served with wine, it's decadent enough for any adult birthday party.

What You Eat = Birthday Blues?

Chef Ann Cooper's Blog... » You Do What You Eat: "Sugar’s Not the Only Problem

Indeed, the study proves what every parent already knows. Serve soda and
candy at a children’s birthday party and you’ll get loud, hyperactive
behavior followed by tears and tantrums. It works like this: Blood-sugar
levels jump suddenly after you eat sugar, which initially gives you a
burst of fresh energy. But then your blood sugar falls, and you become
lethargic and sleepy. In an attempt to prevent blood-sugar levels from
falling too low, your body produces adrenalin, which makes you irritable
and explosive.

But sugar can’t be the only problem. After all, high blood-sugar levels
mainly have a short-term effect on behavior, while the research of
Schoenthaler and Gesch indicates changes over a longer period. They
suggest it is much more important that you get the right amount of
vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fatty acids because these substances
directly influence the brain, and therefore behavior."


Here's a fascinating article on what a radical difference good nutrition makes in reducing violence, of all things. We've all been to the kind of children's party represented above. Swap out some of the sugar for a healthier alternative and you may host a truly enjoyable party for everyone. Good to know!

Celebrating A Twentieth Birthday with Egyptians in Pajamas!

digging for mummies and other fun stuff: two decades?: "two decades?

It's strange for me to think that I have now lived two decades on this earth. It seems like such a long time. I suppose it is a long time. I never expected I would spend my twentieth birthday with an Egyptian family. I actually started the day out with the best part. I went to the internet cafe and got to talk to my bonnie lass, who I hadn't spoken to since her flight down under. After that I went to church with a group of students from my program. I again thoroughly enjoyed the incredible diversity at the church and it is always a blessing, or 'breath of fresh air,' to be able to go there and worship with these people. After church, my roommate Josiah was kind enough to buy my lunch as a birthday present. We went to our usual after church restaurant called Spectra where they have some incredible 'Brownies on Ice'. After a late lunch I returned to my homestay with Barrett. We spent a lot of the evening getting help with our arabic homework from the nieces and nephews of our host. And then, somehow, Barrett and I found ourselves watching Titanic (in English with Arabic subtitles) with 5 Egyptian women. It was actually Nasser's (our host) sister in law, her three daughters and one of her nieces. It was quite an experience. Lets just say I never expected to spend my birthday watching J"


File this under "It's Amazing What Life Hands a Person." Who could predict a fellow would spend his birthday watching the Titanic in English with Arabic subtitles while surrounded by five Egyptian girls in their pajamas?

Robbie's 19th Birthday - Unwrapping 19 Kinds of Cash!

Robbie's 19th Birthday - Photos - Gifts: "Wanted to share this with you : ) We had my daughter Robbie's 19th and I went to the bank and got her:

* 19-$5's
* 19-quarters
* 19-dimes
* 19-nickles
* 19-pennies

We wrapped each in aluminum foil. Each contained different amounts from one penny to a five dollar bill. She had to be careful in order not to rip any, just in case it had paper money in it and some were empty, but she didn't know that until she opened them. I didn't tell her what the 'pattern' was, if she guessed it then she could keep it : ) If she didn't, well then I would be richer."


This young lady had a smile on her face as dove her hand into a bowl filled with tiny foil packets, unwrapped them and spread out her loot. Money, honey. A universal language that speaks to any teen loud and clear.

Chocolate Stout Birthday Cake Recipe and Renaissance Faire!

dolphmusic: the birthday cake recipe - oh MY.: "the birthday cake recipe - oh MY.
Here it is. We did it with just powdered sugar on top instead of the ganache, just because we were running short on time. But still -- oh MY.

The birthday was otherwise excellent as well -- about a dozen of us made our way to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Besides the roast turkey leg and all the lovely beer (no more expensive than at most Chicago bars, by the way), the highlights of the day were:


1. 'The Royal Falconer' -- A falconer, yes, with falcons. And with a pronounced New Jersey accent. Every time there was some pronouncement or other about 'Please remembuh dat dese byoo-tee-ful creatures...', we all just about broke out into uproar. The only thing holding me back was the suspicion that these falcons might have mob ties.

2. 'Christophe The Insulter' -- A vulgar olde tyme! He apparently makes the rounds nationally to ren-faires far and wide, insulting for money. The more you contribute to having someone insulted, the better it is. We put in $60 to have our friend Dan roasted, and that was sure roasty all right."


As if an astounding cake for any chocoholic isn't enough, this fellow celebrated his birthday at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.

Seems to me a person who makes and eats chocolate stout cake would need to lie down. And eventually, he did, but only after the faire. Sturdy fellow!

Birthday Canoe Trip!

Debbie's Blatherings: Killarney canoe trip, part 1


Alison, the woman in the blue jacket, celebrated her birthday by taking a canoe trip with friends. They didn't invite the bear or the snapping turtle, they just joined the fun. Click the link to see more of this picture and another.

Disney World Obsession--Not Just For Kids!

Happy Birthday Scotty!: "Happy Birthday to my good pal Scott! I wanted to take a moment and tell you a little about him.....and, our friendship! I met Scott some years ago on a Disney Pen Pal site, and have been great friends ever since. Our mutual love of Disney World has given each of us an outlet for which we can take our obsession with it to a whole new level!! We are both fortunate to have wonderful spouses who love Disney, too, although at a much higher level of maturity than Scott & I All four of us have been able to meet up in Disney World, enjoy great (fattening!!) food together, and celebrate our love of the most happiest place on Earth! Our e-mails fly back and forth with Disney gossip, trip plans, and we have fun laughing about the crazy things each one of us does on our trips, that others think is weird!!"


Here's a story about a best friend who shares an obsession with Disney World.

I always figured a birthday at Disney World would be a thrill for a kid. But now I know better.

Here's a woman who would love to celebrate her birthday at Disney World. She's tracking her weight loss on her blog, so the ultimate would be a birthday at Disney World at her goal weight! Whoo-hoo!

17th Birthday Pilot!

Student earns wings on 17th birthday: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Student earns wings on 17th birthday

By Sallie James
Staff Writer
Posted August 7 2005

POMPANO BEACH · Jake Rothstein may not be old enough to vote, but he can fire up a single-engine plane and fly off into the wild blue yonder.

On Saturday, he made three big strides: He turned 17, earned his private pilot's license and took his jittery mother for a ride."


Way to celebrate! Maybe he got cake and kisses, too, but you know the highest high was the flight! Woo-hoo!

17th Birthday With 17 Girls!

everyone!!!!!!! photo - *Jenn* photos at pbase.com

Here are a whole bunch of girls who seem determined to crush the birthday girl. See her? The one in the middle, all pretty and smiling? Oh, wait. They're ALL pretty and smiling.

There are TONS of pictures. Go look. Enjoy. They sure did!

A Girl's 15th Birthday the Aztec Way

air06: My Culture Traditions: "My Culture Traditions

As far that I know about my tradition is that when girls turn 15 their family makes them a celebration. These celebration is known as quinceaneras. Quinceanera is a celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday. A special elborate celebration, the young lady begins her journey into womanhood. This celebration often includes a religious ceremony at church, in which the young lady recognizes her heritage and her spiritual journey. Many quinceaneras include a candle-lighting ceremony, where a young woman illuminates her parents' candles using the flame of her own candle. In turn, her parents light the candles of their parents, and so on. In some Latin American countries, a young woman changes her shoes from flats to heels during the ceremony.According to the Aztecs fifteen was the age at which boys became warriors and girls were also presented to the community because they were looked upon as the vital force of the tribe and its future since they had the power to become mothers and to give future warriors to the tribe. The fifteen-year old Aztec girl was exhorted and instructed by the King in the duties of womanhood, and the funeral honors for an Aztec woman who died in childbirth were the some as those for a warrior who fell in battle. Sometimes girls have a 16th celebration is called a sweet 16th they celebrate it the same way as a 15th."

Cool insight into an Aztec birthday tradition!

The End of The Birthday Curse?

They Call Me Red: GREAT WEEKEND!: "After a shower, a bit of cleaning, and some salsa making our friends #1 and his wife came over for dinner. Hubby made an excellent meal of tacos. They were so good. It was also a lesson for him due to the fact that he never cooks and had no idea where certain items were in the kitchen. It was funny though; Hubby repeativly said that he did not need any help with dinner which I happily complied with. It was only after he had finished the meat, the beans and corn had been heated up and the lettuce torn, that Hubby looks at me and said that I forgot to tell him to make the rice. To which I replied that he asked for no help. Telling him to make the rice would have been helping. He of course took that comment of mine as a joke. You've just got to love that guy.

After dinner they sang happy birthday to me and we all had cake and played card games into the night. Overall it was a great birthday. Surrounded by friends and my hubby, what more could I ask for?"


She blogged for three days on her anxiety over this birthday and what did she get? One of her best birthdays ever.

It started with a sleepy "Happy birthday" from her hubby at 5:45 a.m. and included Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. NOT a bad birthday. Yay!

Splish, Splash I Was Taking A...Birthday Party!

'Tis but a flesh wound: Jonas and Madeline's...: "Jonas and Madeline's...
...birthday party at The Wave Pool, Waterford Oaks Waterpark http://www.co.oakland.mi.us/parksrec/ppark/waterford_wp.html

I actually took a day off from work and had some fun.

Had about 20 or so people and we had a great time. I went out and grabbed 7 Hot N Ready's, 2 - 10 piece buckets of KFC and a sheet cake from Costco (which does not open until 10am by the way). I also had to pick up some more ice so I stopped by the 7 Eleven grabbed some ice and availed myself of a Cherry Slurpee

Another wonderful occasion to get Madeline, Elias and Sophie together again. They are just hilarious, especially when we got them all in the Wave Pool. Got some video and lots of pictures. At the end of the day I had both Madeline and Elias in the inner tube with me and it was hilarious. It's just gonna get better as these kids get older... Had a great day."


I don't know who turned a year older, but this super-pool party sounds like a wet and wild time. No muss, no fuss food and great people enjoying the water sounds like a perfect way to celebrate in hot summer weather.

Where to Make New Friend? Birthday Party!

Ryan's Downward Spyral: My life, Inspired by Justin: "JE and me are really good friends now too, especially since henry is never home we've had a chance to kind of 'bond', for lack of a better word. Llol, it actually happened as a result of henry inviting justin to his birthday party and I wasnt too excited about that at the time, but it actually ended up (at least for me) making us fast friends as well. Hes pretty cool, and reminds me soooo much of myself... same mentality about a lot of things and similar mood swings and such."


Here was a successful party from a guest's point of view. Two guests meet and suddenly a friend of a best friend becomes a good new friend. Um, that sounds confusing, but I don't know how else to say it. Making a new friend, though? That's special.

First Birthday!

Locke and Demosthenes: "Happy Birthday Mark!
Mark, my little brother, turned one today! Yay! We celebrated by going to Tony Roma's, a ribs restaurant. Mark sat at the head of the table, grinning at everyone with a french fry sticking out of his mouth. The order came slowly, and we waited a long time for our drinks, and they charged us $50 too much, but Mark didn't care! He was just happy about all the attention people gave him. We had sundaes for dessert, and he loved those. So although it was low key, Mark still had a good time. Babies can be happy about the smallest things."


Here's a big brother's write-up of a cute little guy's first birthday. Check out the photo. That's a happy kid. Too cute!

Belated Birthday Dinner With Old Friend

What am I still doing here?: Belated Birthday Dinner: "I met my friend Candi for dinner, kind of a mini belated birthday celebration. I brought her a bottle of wine from Australia. I know how she loves to have a good glass of wine every now and then. I hope she enjoys it.

It was great seeing her. It’s kind of funny in a way; I bump along and don’t realize how much I miss her company until I see her again. Then it’s hard to believe how much time has passed since we last met. And we seem to pick up where we left off without hesitation."


If a birthday is good for nothing else, reconnecting with a friend is special. Apparently there's surgery coming up, and the friend is making her next year's birthday plans. Visit Africa? Way to go!

30th Birthday Moving Day and Surprise Party

Excuse Me, I Can't Find My Head: A Year Older, But Not Wiser: "A Year Older, But Not Wiser
So I am now officially 30. Someone get me my walker and arthritis medicine. Anyone want to hear me complain about my aches and pains? No, okay, I'll just talk to myself. Seriously though, I had a lot of fun this weekend (see pics to the right). My sister, Melanie, surprised the hell out of me. Here I was thinking we were just going to have the usual family dinner and go out to a bar to drink like fools. Well, my parents and Melanie come down on Saturday morning to help me move, and who is with them? My cousin, Megan, from Colorado! I had no idea they were flying her in, and those beeatches (Melanie and Megan), who I talk to every single day, managed to keep it a secret from me for a month! It was an awesome birthday present. So we did the move, which was a real hoot. I had my toe crushed, although not broken thank God, and chipped some furniture, but everything worked out in the end. Then we went back to the suburbs where my parents live to hang out until dinner. We ended up at Olive Garden for the birthday extravaganza, where my family insisted on getting the waiters and waitresses out at the end of the meal to sing to me while they all shouted that it was my 30th birhtday - gee..."


She goes on to say her family doesn't make a big deal out of things, especially for birthdays past 18--so she got choked up at this big fuss!

So while the celebration was fun, what struck her was the love behind it. That's true of any birthday celebration, right?

Special Tenth Birthday With Musician

The MacMedic: A special tenth birthday: "Since she was very young her favorite musician has been Craig Taubman. A couple of weeks ago when I had taken her to the children medical center for her appointment we passed a sign advertising a concert being put on by Taubman on October 3rd, today, her birthday. What could her mother and I do except to arrange to get tickets.

So this afternoon we took her to the concert. The concert was part of celebration/kickoff of a fundraising campaign for the local Jewish Federation so there were the expected displays from the organizations that receive support from the Federation and various activities for the kids.

This was actually the second time we had tried to take her to one of his concerts. The previous time was a couple of years ago, she was looking forward to it quite a bit and was devestated when Taubman got sick and had to cancel the concert. We had written him a letter and he had agreed to meet with us before the concert. One of the only ways we found to make her feel better was helping her to write a letter to Taubman telling him that she wanted him to get better soon and how much his music meant to her. He sent back a handwritten note thanking her for her letter.

When we arrived it was still well before the concert was supposed to start..."


What could be better for a huge fan than this?? Up close and personal with her favorite musician. What a tenth birthday!

An American Girl's Seventh Birthday in Sweden

Lydia's Seventh Birthday: "Lydia had her seventh birthday on September 1, 2003. This year she got to have not one, but two parties -- a family party on Saturday, and a 'kid party' on Sunday! She had a great time both days, and tried very hard to convince us that she should have yet a third party on Monday, her actual birthday! Alas, she had to ontent
herself with just two days of festivities, and it was back to school as usual on Monday."


This looks like the 'kid party.' See the non-blonde little girl? That's the guest of honor. I love the rainbow cake. How cool of her parents to post pictures on the web for all her American friends and family to see and share her life in Sweden!

Ode to Seven Year Old Son

One Child Left Behind - Brandon Rogers: "Tristan,

Tomorrow you will be seven years old.

And to celebrate this occasion, your mom and I are going to take you to the Oregon Coast for a few days to torment the starfish and the hermit crabs, because we had such a great time there two years ago. We’ve thought about what to do for you for some time now. That’s because your mom and I have already planned out your entire existence."


What a great gift this posting is! It summons up a loving grandfather, family history, and much more--with humor and feeling. The boy will remember his seventh-birthday trip for years to come, I'm sure. But it will be years from now before he fully gets the gift of this writing from his father. Beautiful.

30th Birthday Pull Up Your Socks

...mumblings... : From my head to your computer via a keyboard.: "The feeling that I needed to change/do something started as my 30th birthday loomed last year. The idea that I was going to be older, and therefore presumably more mature, evolved into me realising I should take more responsibility for the impact I have on the this world and for the legacy that I would leave behind.

So I started to change my attitudes and involvements with things like recycling, charity and the environment. Just little things at first, but like they say - 'Every little helps'.

Feel the same way?
Want to make a difference?

Here's where you can start:..."


This is not a party, and it's not a celebration where you go somewhere and have a blast. In a way, it's better. This is marking a birthday the best way there is. He has two links to get going on making the world a better place one baby step at a time. Cool!

A Girl's Sixth Birthday Party at a Bowling Alley!

Sarah's Sixth Birthday: "Sarah celebrated her sixth birthday at the local bowling alley. She invited her family and kindergarten firiends. About 22 kids enjoyed balloons, bowling, cake, pop, treats, party favors and watched Sarah unwrap a generous supply of wonderful birthday presents."


And a great time was had by all. They have photos to prove it! Check out the neon shoes.

2nd Birthday

Renaissance: Feeling Blue, Teaching Blue, Seeing Blue........: "As if I didn't already have enough plans for the next few months, I just received a dollhouse from a lady on Freecycle. It is the first and best thing I could have gotten. I am so excited about working on it. It needs a lot of work-but it will be such a wonderful thing! I have also recently gotten some tomato cages and a toddler bed for Corynn. I was never able to 'win' anything-and then all of the sudden, I win THREE things in one week! wow! I plan to set up the toddler bed when Corynn turns two. Kind of as a 'big girl' birthday treat. She is getting to be so big!"


Here's a milestone event for a two-year-old. A "big girl" bed. Celebrate with cake and family and you've got a party! Presents could be sheets, blankets and pillow for the new bed, books to read in bed, nighties or pj's, a stuffed animal or doll to hug.

Did anyone ever invent a clock with a bed instead of a number for the hands to point to at bedtime? And with a cartoon sun waking up for the hands point to when it's time for "big girls" to get up?

SF Giants Birthday--Cursed?

Locke and Demosthenes: SF Giants: "It seems to me that the Giants are losing a lot of games this season. Maybe it's because Barry Bonds isn't back yet (he had knee surgery). My uncle took me to a game on Saturday night with my cousins, and they lost (again). I think someone put a curse on me that whenever I go to a baseball game, the team I'm rooting for loses. But we had fun anyway. We went through the ritual at the begining of the game that my cousins always do, which was getting fried calamari. My Uncle Tom ordered it, and the lady asked for his name, and he said 'My name's Sol, Sol Rosenburg' which is uhhhhhh.... I have no idea who but my cousin uses a sound board of him to do prank calls. So when the calamari was ready the lady said 'Sol?' and we thought it was hilarious. There weren't any tables open, so we sat on our jackets on the ground, all four of us, in a little circle. We dipped the calamari in the sauce as we listened to a lady with a HORRIBLE voice sing the Star Spangled Banner. She changed keys three times. Awful...

Well anyway, we got to our seats waaay above home plate and watched the rest of the game. It was fun, even though the score was (when we left) 16 to 2, Florida. Hopefully I can break the curse when I go on my birthday to another game."


See there? It's a "can't miss" idea. Even when a birthday boy's team loses, he has a good time going to a game on his birthday.

Games for Everyone

Tara's Blog: Games for everyone: "I was recently quoted in an AP article which can be found here.

My conversation with the journalist got me thinking about a lot of topics about the game industry, so I said, Hey, I bet the world wants to hear my thoughts, so here goes, I blog.

Since the article came out, a lot of people have asked me why don't more women play games. I think it's all about perception. Most women think there are no games that they would like. And a large part of the problem is the kind of games that get all the press. The kind of games like GTA. Sure, we all hear about The Sims, but it is always cited as the exception, the one game that is different, that women like.

Well I'm here to tell you that I'm a woman, and I like lots of different kinds of games. And I can tell you, there's a game for everyone. Yup, everyone."


Fascinating and full of links to games! Can't miss this! Let a simple web game help entertain your guests.

51st Birthday Review: Lifetime of Current Events

Water Dissolves Water: Birthday in Pascagoula: "But today's big story (at least for me), is it's my birthday. Fifty one big ones.

So just how old am I? Let's put it this way - I was four months old when the first Air Force One was inaugurated for President Eisenhower. I was born the same year as the Interstate Highway System, the polio vaccine, the four-minute mile and the Newport Jazz Festival. I was born the year of Brown v Board of Education, and the year before Rosa Parks refused to go to the back of the bus. I was born the year after Mt. Everest was first successfully climbed.

I was also born along with, and grew up besides, rock 'n' roll. I was alive when Elvis Presley recorded 'That's All Right, Mama' and Ray Charles recorded 'I Got a Woman.'"


This is a fascinating account of what's happened to musicians and other celebrities in America in the course of this man's life so far. Good reading and a unique gift to himself and us.

Ice Cream Social Birthday

ramblings of a drunken sailor… » Blog Archive » Birthday Edition: "Today was my 24th birthday which turned out to be better than your average Monday. My coworkers surprised me with an afternoon ice cream social and then after work I met up with a few friends in the city for dinner and drinks. All and all another good week…"


Mmm, ice cream. Wish I could have been there.

Seriously, this is such a cool idea for a bunch of coworkers to celebrate a birthday!

Birthday Plane Tickets

Dennis and Jane’s Travelblog » A Spot of Tea in Hokkaido: "We went to Hokkaido (the big island in Northern Japan) for my birthday a few weeks ago. They sell Birthday Tickets, so Jane and I were both able to get a discount on our flights. It was the perfect time to go because while Kanazawa was deep into the rainy season, Hokkaido doesn’t have one. But it rained for our first two days anyway."


What could be better than this for the devoted traveler than to go some fabulous place at a fabulous price for your birthday?

Birthday Activity: Hunt For Perfect Christmas Tree

Wampum: Eric's birthday activities: "Today is Eric's birthday, and we're off to cut down a Christmas tree. Yes, here (er, he-ah) in Maine we're not forced to pick up half-dead bundles of dried sticks at some temporary lighted lot; instead, Mainiacs and their offspring get to bundle up and trudge out through the snow to a whole field of fresh spruce. Thus begins the hunt for the perfect tree."


And after finding it, they take it home where friends are coming for dinner and tree trimming. Nice!

Having A LAN Birthday Party

Having A LAN Party: Setting up, choosing computer games and location.: "When Sam Cooke wrote the old R&B number 'Having a Party', he probably never envisioned Unreal Tournament.

Playing anonymous opponents over the Internet is fun, but it pales in comparison to facing down your opponents in person, seeing them sweat, and reveling in their cries of anguish as you pummel them mercilessly. Or maybe you want to gang up on the computer, playing 'co-op' in games that support that feature. In either case, it's time for a LAN party!

Face it; we are social animals, and for as much as any of us like playing online, it's never as visceral an experience as playing in the same room with friends or cohorts. A LAN party isn't just about gaming, but it's about the shared experiences during the gaming. After the party, people hang around and talk about the best moments during the sessions. Sometimes they talk about it for weeks afterwards. The water cooler effect of popular TV shows pale in comparison."


This kind of party is just the thing for your computer game whiz! This site tells you how to go for it. What a memorable birthday a LAN party would be!

Poker Night Birthday--Good Idea or Not?

If you can't stand the fat man in the corner: First Ever Poker Night: "Thanks to Ivan for hosting the event, his parents for letting us use their garage, Aaron for teaching me a bit about the game, Jo and Butch for stomping my ass and taking advantage of me like REAL players do. Thanks to Butch also for inviting me. Thanks to all for a great time and a lot of good laughs."


I guess it depends on whether you win or lose, and what kind of people you play with. This fellow had never played before and felt good just having survived.

An avid poker player might love a poker night birthday, and would likely host it. Maybe someone new to the game would have a blast.

Birthday At A Lake

Single Mom Dating-or I got divorced for this?: "My 8 year old daughter is one of those really cool kids that is happy with just about anything. She is truly appreciative and grateful (that's me & her in the pic). Not that much grief involved when it comes to her-and all she wants is a beach party for her birthday. Nothing too fancy, just burgers & brats with a friend or two at the lake. How can you deny her when she's so great? The kid asks for pajamas for Christmas for crying out loud! So I'm driving today to the other side of town to pick up her little crew so they can frolic in the lake-I just hope the Ecoli is down today. I would feel bad about dropping her friends off with extra arms."


Mom, food, friends, lake. This birthday girl got her wish.

Birthday Girl at Ninety

Open Writing: Birthday Girl: "It is not everyday that someone reaches their ninetieth birthday. Statisticians have determined that only one in a thousand make it that far. My mother, who was born Louie Bennett, made it on the twentieth day of May, 2005. I flew to England to help her celebrate. I had last seen her in June of 2002, and had been surprised at the signs of ageing show on her face, and her sometimes yonderly gaze and conversation."


This story touched me. Celebrate your birthdays while you can!

I don't care how or where. Just take the time to connect with yourself and your loved ones any way you can manage.

Build a memory to savor all your life and theirs.

Egyptian Birthday Bash

The Bachelor Girl » Blog Archive » Club Mwah’s Egyptian Birthday Bash: "The Club Mwah show was an extravaganza that was a feast for the senses. Female impersonators mimicked famous ladies like Liza Minelli and Marilyn Munroe. Recreations were done of famous movie scenes such as Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango” and All that Jazz, with the latter done in black light, making the lurid neon green wigs and “bandage” costumes contrast wonderfully with the performers’ purple bodies. The hour-long show ended with a parade reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro, with the birthday celebrant, Robert Blancaflor, joining the dancers on the float; and the guests were gamely dancing along to form a boisterous conga line."


This kind of birthday celebration is about as far from home-grown as you can get!

Do-It-Yourself Birthday Dinner Party, Choose a Filling, Wrap, Eat

Tidings | Canada's Food & Wine Magazine : For a Do-It-Yourself Dinner Party, Choose a Filling, Wrap, Eat: "Busy schedules and the amount of work involved can sometimes daunt us from hosting as many dinner parties as we might like. Then you have to take into account varying tastes in foods, allergies... Whatever happened to keeping it simple?

Do-it-yourself dishes, such as wraps, could be the solution to this dilemma. Just prepare all of the separate ingredients ahead of time and allow your guests to put them together their way. Nina Simonds from The New York Times has some suggestions (and recipes) to help make your next event a success."


This is a great birthday party idea, especially if your crowd isn't all that much on playing games. Eating takes longer because the guests chat, laugh and have a good time as they put together their own wraps.

Hoover Dam Birthday Trip

midnightmagicka: Picture Extravaganza: "We planned a big trip to Las Vegas to celebrate Adam and Val's 21st birthday, so that's where I've been for the last few days. On our way there we passed the Hoover Dam, and it was about 6:15 AM so it was barely 105 degrees outside. GOOD GOD why did we have to be in Vegas during the hottest week of the year?"


Hot damn! Or, a successful, if scorching, birthday trip to Las Vegas with the added attraction of a peek at Hoover Dam.

Psychic Birthday

Phil Gardner - Mulled Whines: "In other news, Lisa and I now have tickets to see purple charlatan Colin Fry at the end of August. In the words of Lisa, 'we're officially going to chat to the dead on my birthday'. I'm hoping to get a message from my deceased cat, Oscar. He left rather suddenly, and I'd just like to know that he doesn't blame me for over-feeding him Felix."


Interesting choice of activity on a birthday. Colin Fry is an Australian psychic. The birthday boy is a U.K. writer. Will he hear from his cat?

Birthday Party Idea: Play Taboo Game

Taboo Game - AreYouGame.com: "Here's truly unspeakable fun! You've got to think fast, talk fast and avoid saying TABOO words. If your team shouts out the correct secret word, you get a point. But be careful! Your opponents will be looking over your shoulder, making sure you don't say any of the TABOO words. If you do and they catch you, they sound the buzzer and score the point! Includes 504 TABOO cards, card holder, buzzer, timer, score pad. 2 AA batteries required (not included). For 4 or more players.

A 1990 Mensa Select Award Winner.

Joyce from LaMarque, TX
I need more cards, I've played this game so much.
A year ago a friend bought this game to a party. I loved it so much on my way home I went to the store and bought one. I have played it so much with family, friends and anyone who visits me, that I need more cards. I wish I could buy cards in different editions. My family ranges in ages from 8 to 55, and we all love this game. I've given a copy of this game to every household I frequent to make sure I can play wherever I go."


A family birthday party needs entertainment for a wide range of ages and this game fits the bill. The only way I see this not working is if there's a party-pooper / spoilsport type in the crowd. See if you can assign him or her the job of serving refreshments or something, whatever floats their boat and keeps them happy while the rest of you play and laugh yourselves silly. CLICK HERE

Teen Party Game

BirthdayZ by ShindigZ: "To Speak or Not to Speak?

Give each player a bag or goodie box with 10 small treasures in it (candy, chocolates, little favors). Have bags labeled with players' names, so they don't get mixed up. Let players know at the start of the game exactly when the game will be ending—this game can be played throughout an entire party if you so choose. The object of the game is to catch fellow players saying one of the forbidden words or phrases:

* Choose 5 or 6 words or phrases related to the theme of your party.
o For example, for a New Year's party, you might select: MILLENNIUM, NEW YEAR, TWELVE, CENTURY, TIMES SQUARE
o For a luau, you might select: PALM TREE, LEI, COCONUT, BEACH, TROPICAL
o For a Retro Party, you might select: GROOVY, DISCO, FAR OUT, SMILEY FACE, PEACE, YEAH BABY
o For a Wedding Shower, you might select: BRIDE, GROOM, GIFTS, HONEYMOON, RECEPTION

(Select words or phrases that would be natural for guests to say considering the occasion.)

To help players, post the words prominently on a board where they can be seen often. If someone is caught saying one of the words on the list, that person has to give up a treasure from their stash. The player with the biggest haul of goodies at the end of the game is the winner! Lots of fun!"


In a birthday party, your words might be CAKE, CANDLES, AGE, WISH, and so on. Visit this site for tons of great party tips!

Birthday Memory Book

Celebrate a Hero - Personalized Birthday gift - Birthday Memory Book - 50th birthday: "Imagine being told why you are special and loved.

Celebrate someone's birthday with a gift book that is filled with thoughts and wishes from family and friends.

It's the one gift that will be treasured forever! This is about giving the best present in the world -- love and appreciation!"


Now here's an idea that really knocks me out. Imagine the look on your birthday celebrant's face on seeing a book all about them from their loved ones. The nice folks at Celebrate a Hero make creating a memory book an easy project the whole family can have fun with! Check it out.

Karen

Birthday for the Boss: Blueberry-Hazelnut Streusel Coffee Cake

Watch Out for Mama: Blueberry-Hazelnut Streusel Coffee Cake: "I made this last night for my boss's birthday breakfast today. It turned out great. Our resident domestic diva (NOT ME, believe it or not -- we have a real Martha Stewart type on staff here) even asked for the recipe. I was very flattered. So here it is.

Blueberry-Hazelnut Streusel Coffee Cake"


Here's a different kind of birthday cake. She gives the complete recipe. Sounds yummy!

Karen

Ready-Made First Birthday For Frazzled Parents

First Birthday Theme Parties: "First birthdays are the magical celebration of the transition from baby to toddler. Select from one of our themes below or consider one of our preschool themes.
Use this occasion to start your own birthday tradition such as planting a tree, taking a picture next to a favorite object, saving a momento from each year, making handprints, or saving a newspaper clipping."

Children love family traditions. What better time to start a new tradition than on the very first birthday? But, come on, there's so little spare time when knee-deep in baby-care!

Birthday in a Box offers a great solution, with seven choices. I particularly like the Baby Einstein package, but there are six other choices.



Karen

Birthday Atop A Mountain

Granite Rants: "So we moved back up the ridge and after a brief bit of investigation, found an area offtrail that provided enough flat open space on which we could pitch our tent. Indeed, at this elevation finding a suitable ground for placing a tent is not simple. Stunted spruce trees are often space about 2 feet from each other. The forest is incredibly dense in this environment and to find an area that has broadly spaced trees and flat open ground free of rocks, stumps and roots is not an easy task. However, we did find an area that was not perfect, but would suit us and allow us to set up the tent - then we could cook dinner and eat! I brought with us a backcountry stove and firing it up was easy. Dinner wasn't haute but it was hot and that's what mattered. Also, my wife was a sweetheart and packed in a special treat for me - M&M brownies with a candle on top (it was my birthday). It was truly a fantastic moment and she made it better.

The sun was setting and we were very close to one of the best vantage points in all the Whites - the airy perch known as West Bond."


West Bond is what we see in the picture. What an unusual and gorgeous setting for celebrating a birthday!

Karen

Serving Alcohol At A Birthday Party?

Party Ideas For you: " Wine and spirits can set your party off or create great problems

Wine and spirits can definitely make you the host with the most but can also be your biggest headache. First rule at least with the current laws in the US, is to watch your guests consumption or make arrangements for housing them (my preferrence) or to set up some type of designated driver for them.
The other problem can be that nice people on occasion become 'not so nice' after a few alcoholic beverages. Just a word to the wise."


Perhaps your local friendly bartender could give advice on how much alcohol per person to plan for.

Karen

Birthday Slide Show

dinnerware center: "A Night of Nostalgia
A great idea for any anniversary party, big or small, is a slide show. Start the show of with pictures of the couple when they first met and progress through the years of children and grandchildren. Don�t be surprised to see a few eyes get misty during the show. Add some memorable quotes throughout the show, and play some touching music that reminds them of certain times in their lives."


I see this great suggestion for an anniversary party could work for a birthday, especially when the celebrant hits a milestone birthday or has had an especially life-changing year.

Karen

A TV Fight Night Birthday

Bailey G AZ: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRUMAN ! ! ! ! !: "Truman came over, having some friends over for the big fight on HBO - wanted to know if I wanted to come over for beer. Lots of people there - average age though - 24. Lots of boxers from Truman's gym, including some of the ones that I saw fight at the only fight I've ever been to... "


Here's an idea for the sports fans with birthdays. Of course, it's just a matter of luck if a fight or sporting event falls on the special day!


Karen

A Birthday Outing To Park And Zoo

Just A Picture: "Yesterday Patrick and I took our nephew to Irvine Park for his birthday. It was fun-filled day full of bike riding, lizard hunting and exploring what the park had to offer."


Here's another great way to spend a birthday besides party and cake. Would someone you know love this?


Karen

Moorish Birthday Cake How-To

Sarah Discovers How to Eat: My Mother’s Birthday Cake: "A Moorish Cake


Last night, after the difficult day of looking for supplies, I started on Mum’s birthday cake. The Moorish Cake is in the Basics Etc. chapter, and is bascially an orange-flavoured almond sponge with an orange syrup poured over after baking."


A different kind of birthday cake, from Nigella Lawson's How To Eat. Check out the photos of the process!

Karen

A Simple Birthday Gift--Love

Not Just Another Pretty Face: 28 March- My 24th Birthday: "28 March- My 24th Birthday


I'm so happy, my 24th Birthday was one of the best and most memorable ones ever. It was filled with people that I care about and things that I enjoy doing. Many unexpected people remembered my birthday and I have never felt so loved in my life. So popular, so accepted."


Here's a young woman who knows it's all about love.

This makes me feel remiss for every time I didn't call a friend on his/her birthday! A simple, "Hi, I'm thinking about you on your birthday" warms their not only their heart, but also yours.

So, who ya gonna call? Leave a comment. Inquiring minds want to know.

Karen

Mother's Birthday Gift: Recipe Book of Memories & More

musings: For Mom: "For Mom
My sisters and I are getting together to celebrate my parent's milestone birthdays this year. My mom is quite an extraordinary cook. For her birthday present, we've put together a recipe book of memories, quotations, pictures, menus, and other memorabilia to help commemorate her passion and her love."


What a great gift for a mother with a passion for cooking!

Karen

Bad Night Birthday

Rock N' Roll All Night And The Everyday: R.I.P. Dimebag Darrell: "I always cranked his music to get psyched for a show. 2 days before he died, we were playing Istanbul Turkey for the first time. After the show, we had a 6 hour drive to the next town, Ankara Turkey, where we had a gig on December 8 (Ralph Santolla's birthday, & the night Darrell & John Lennon were killed). On the way to the show, at about 4 in the morning, we stopped by the side of the road to get gas & something to eat. Unbelievably, they had about 30 cassettes for sale. One of these cassettes, on the side of the road in Turkey, was Pantera's 'Far Beyond Driven'. This was crazy we thought"


Go here for insight into rock life according to Sebastian Bach in his tribute to Dimebag Darrell. Wow!

Birthday Present for a Knitter

Jennifer Knits: Another Diversion: "The scarf looks a little wrinkled because I have been carrying it around in a birthday present from my sister:



Thanks Marie for the beautiful knitting bag! It has lots of pockets on the inside for carrying around needles and patterns and stich markers with enough left over to conceal the rest of the detritous I carry around every day. This present will be getting much use."



What a perfect birthday present for a knitter! If she's lucky it's big enough to carry the Harry Potter scarf she's knitting AND the latest Harry Potter book!

Checkerboard Birthday Cake

The Yum Blog: YumYum Bakes a Spectacular Cake!: ". Through a series of events, I found myself committed to baking a cake for a fellow co-worker’s Fourth of July Birthday. She had seen a picture of this red, white and blue ‘checkerboard’ cake in a magazine, and I mentioned that I had a set of three cake pans and the ‘checkerboard’ insert at my apartment. I intended to lend them to her, but she convinced me to make the actual cake, and when another co-worker challenged my ability (“You don’t cook or bake!”), I was hooked."



This is a sugary 4th of July version of a checkerboard cake and it was a great hit. The cook offered a brilliant idea for a healthy version, too. Way to go!

Birthday Pie Instead of Cake

Earnest Recipes from a Reluctant Cook: "I baked three buttermilk pies for Andrew's 17th birthday simply because this was his third 17th birthday celebration. Everyone was tired of cake. The pies drew rave reviews. Add white Blue Bell ice cream on top and everyone, especially Andrew, asked for thirds. Success!! "


What a good idea! I know a man who would love a birthday pie every year. He drools anytime anyone says the word "pie." Slurp!

Let Them Eat Cake

i want a little bit of everything...:

everyone, say hi to......

: "The very first year in anderson, Celene got me a cake (one whole cake) for my birthday, and there were only TWO of us!!! thank goodness Janice 'tagged' along, and we ate the cake behind J8! haha. that was a very memorable birthday i had! "


Here's one way to party--eat a whole cake with a friend or two. Maybe best for college students, but I see the appeal!

Birthday Love Notes

Lovingyou.com: Romantic Birthday Ideas: "'Our' Birthday
It was my birthday but by the end of the night it seemed like it was his. I planned this for awhile to surprise him even though it was my birthday and not his. It was an evening at home and I did the usual champagne, candles and snacks, etc. What I also did was write out about 30 love notes and coupons to my future husband, then roll them up and insert them into a balloon and blow them up. The notes were all different. Some told him to kiss me or rub my back. Some were coupons for him he could redeem at a later date, and some were just me telling him how much I love him. I placed them all over the place. In the tub, on the bed, in the sink, under tables, etc. I also dressed in a very sexy nightie and silk robe. When he walked in he was in shock. I handed him a pin and explained in order for him to know what to do he needed to pop a balloon. This went on for about 2 hours. He was having a ball looking for a balloon and popping it to find out his next mission. He was actually disappointed when they were all gone. It's months later and he still has all the notes. "


Great link here, people! Look at Renee's story. She found a simple, yet amazingly effective way to celebrate her birthday--and it turned into a gift for both of them!

Is July 14 Your Birthday? Which US President Shares It?

Georgia Nicols' horoscopes for July 14: "IF JULY 14 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president (born in 1913), shares your birthday. You have an amazing influence over others whether you try to achieve this or not. You have charm, intelligence and the power of persuasion. Most of you will use this for a higher purpose. The year ahead is full of fresh starts and new beginnings."


How's your day going so far? Happy birthday!

Carrot Cake Birthday

"WHEN BLOGS ATTACK!": "K. also got me a light pen, for when I’m watching a movie in the theater, and want to take notes. Finally, when we got back to the family compound in Sheepshead Bay, she made me a carrot cake. Not some wussy, Betty Crocker, pre-packaged carrot cake, either. A cake from scratch, recipe taken from The Dessert Bible! K. will probably tell you that we split the labor between us fifty-fifty, but I think that’s generous. I merely mixed dry ingredients, while she did all the tough stuff.

After enjoying the moist, dense, cream cheese-frosted carrot cake, we heard explosions in the distance. Glancing out the nearby window, we saw fireworks bursting in mid-air from the direction of Coney Island. Since my birthday falls somewhat adjacent to that of our great country, fireworks were hardly a surprise. Still, to see them so close… We climbed up to the roof of the house, K. set a towel over the warm tar, and we enjoyed the free incendiaries. Man, were we exhausted by the end of the evening. Thank goodness birthdays only come once a year…"



That carrot cake sounds lovely to me!

Adult Birthday Wish

monique at play: "Thursday, July 07, 2005
birthday wants


it's such a whorish thing to do, i know. there are people on the streets, evangelists asking for money on tv, and one too many stray animals. yet i can't help but be completely, utterly, selfish and wish for lots of sweet kisses, a few good spankings and a wee bit of puckering* for my birthday on sunday; the shame of it all.

oh, and lets not forget the biggest ass piece of cake a person can find."



Kisses and cake. That's not so much to ask for at any age.

Personalized Gifts by Mail

Things to sell by mail: "19 Personally Speaking

interestingstuff said:

Today’s up-market gift service strives to find new and more interesting ways of conveying those age old messages ‘Happy Birthday’, ‘Merry Christmas’, and so on. Teddy bears have the message embroidered on the sashes around their waists, aeroplanes parade long flowing banners with appropriate messages for all and sundry to see; giant crosswords come complete with clues and answers relating to the life, interests and characteristics of recipients.

Other highly personalised gift services operating primarily by mail, include personalised children’s story books, with details about the recipient built into the text; bride and groom books including personal details of wedding party and guests; and on a far less expensive note, numerous smaller personalised gifts are available to that person seeking a unique gift for someone special. Bookmarks, pens and pencils, brooches and other items of jewellery, cups and mugs, eggcups and cutlery, all can be purchased, personalised, and dispatched direct to the intended recipient. If you need any more ideas on highly personal gift products to offer by mail, look through ‘Exchange and Mart’, ‘The Trader’ and most glossy women’s magazines, particularly at Christmas time."


Hey, hey! Is there such a thing as a personalized birthday crossword puzzle? That would be cool.

Ok, I'm biased. I'm a crossword puzzle freak. But I'm not the only one. Who do you know who is one?

Wonderful Birthday Thing

The scariest part of life is living...: It is...: "
July 10
It is...

* 18:46
* 10th July
* Eve of France trip
* Eve of my birthday
* 7 hours till my birthday

Yeah. I'm feeling tired I may to get to bed really early cuz I don't really wanna sleep on the coach and it's gonna be a long day tomorrow. My MP3 Player rules, my Vans rule, my parents rule <3 they gave me a wonderful birthday thing today. Heartness."


Heartness is all that counts, lucky birthday girl!

http://birthday-ideas.blogspot.com/