Nine Year Old Birthday Gift Ideas

One of my daughters' birthdays falls on Earth Day and that is right around the corner.  We are probably going to do a tea party at the local cafe for her and several of her friends.  I have no idea what to get her for her birthday yet, probably electronics of some sort. She already has her own mp3 player but I bet she would love to have her own digital camera. I was going to get her a mini amp for her electric guitar but then she went and spent some of her savings on an acoustic guitar instead. 

What do you get an almost nine-year-old who already has a bike, mp3 player, guitars, and a karaoke machine of her own?  I'll think of something.  I always do. 

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Turn around and they all grow up!

My stepdaughter turned 17 over the holidays.  It is hard to believe that in one year, we will be thinking about graduation invitations and then college! She was just a little thing when I married her dad and now she's almost an adult with a long-term boyfriend and career plans. 

Next week, my oldest turns 13.  I have no idea what to do for her birthday in terms of a party.  It's 13.  It's a big deal.  We have to do something a little different than the norm for her but what?  I have no idea and not much time to figure it out. We're getting her another guitar for her birthday.  I do know that much.  We've had it in lay-away for awhile and she has no idea.  That'll be a good surprise for her. 

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Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my birthday! Happy Birthday to Me!

Usually I am looking at womens jewelry but this year, I told my husband not to spend any money on me. I'd rather it go towards our bills that seem to keep piling up. Otherwise, I'll just feel guilty. Knowing him, he won't listen because he thinks gifts are a necessity.

Since I'm learning to play guitar, maybe he'll surprise me with a guitar amp for my birthday. I know he's been looking at them. I'm learning to play on an electric guitar but I eventually want to switch over to a folk size acoustic (that I can still hook up into an amp of course!).

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Girls vs. Boys

My husband had a three-day weekend this weekend so he's home. I was thinking we'd light a candle, spend some quiet time together...

Oh wait, he's dead tired from adjusting to normal hours after 3rd shift, the Monsters vs. Aliens birthday party we had for my son today, playing volleyball with the kids, and three kids sleeping over making seven kids here right now). Guess we won't be getting any quiet time together tonight, lol.

From the way it sounds above my head right now, the kids are having a blast. I think I'm going to have to check on them several times because I have a feeling that there are going to be girls vs. boys pranks tonight between the kids. I told the kids no make up, no nail polish, and stay out of cabinets and drawers. I'm hoping I eliminated any messy plans they may have had.

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Powered Vehicles for Kids

My youngest daughter turns four years old on Monday (oops, just realized I forgot to order the birthday cake for this weekend...having thryoid biopsy a few days ago kind of put me off schedule). I can't believe I don't have anymore babies in the house!

She's made it very clear that she wants a Power Wheels Barbie Jeep for her birthday. She came to this conclusion after the neighbor next door received his own powered vehicle a few months ago (not Barbie of course). They ride around in it together, holding hands (yes, holding hands).

Because she has such a resourceful mom, she might just get one. After much research online, and calling around to local stores to match prices, I found it at a local store who will match an online price I found and knock off a chunk of change (and many, many bills) if we will go get it tomorrow morning.

She is going to be thrilled!

Next month is my younger son's birthday and the following month is my teenage stepson's birthday. Yeah for my bank account! Oh my.

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I Have Sweet Kids

My two oldest (12 and 9 years old) wanted to buy something for their sister for her 8th birthday with their own money (they all have savings accounts for tooth fairy money, birthday money, etc.). She LOVES to sing so they came up with the idea of getting her an iPod. They were looking at the Apple iPod Shuffle in Pink but when they saw the Creative Zen Mozaic 4 GB MP3 Player, they wanted that for her instead since it has so many more features over the iPod Shuffle. Even with the price difference between the two (the shuffle is much less), they still went with the Zen.

Aren't they sweet?

Edited to Add: My 9yo son came home with a necklace kit to give to his little sister for her birthday today too. He earns "bucks" at tutoring that he can "shop" with for toys that they supply there for the kids to shop with. He used some of his tutoring bucks to buy his little sister another birthday present! She's all girly so she is going to love making her own little necklace. My kids amaze me sometimes. I'm so proud of them. Of course, he also came home with some goo in a container that farts when you sqoosh it. I guess he had to make sure he had something totally "boy" too for himself, lol.

They really thought of things that they knew my 8yo would love from singing (the mp3 player) to the necklace (girly). Very thoughtful of them.

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Happy Birthday!

Happy 8th birthday to my sweet angel.

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Missing An Old Friend

Tomorrow would have been the birthday of an old friend who was a former coworker and boss, and a man who was like a father to me. He passed away several years ago in a car accident when a semi hit him. The accident wasn't his fault. I was angry for a long time over his passing, over him being taken and shed a lot of tears. I regretted not accepting his job offer after he left the company we both worked for. I missed out on a lot of time with him that I would have had if I had not turned it down.

Anger, regret, despair, sadness - stages of grief I guess. I wonder, though, if you ever get past sadness, past missing a special loved one. It doesn't seem like it.

He was a great boss. He was fun, always making me laugh with jokes and teasing. He was fair. He helped me out personally when I was struggling; he looked out for me. On maternity leave, I went in to show off my baby and ended up needing to change her (which I did on his desk). An executive with a huge company and I'm using his desk as a changing table!

The last time I saw him, he'd called to take me out to lunch. When we parted in the parking lot after lunch, he kissed my cheek good-bye.

I remember the day my firstborn was born, he called me at the hospital first thing that morning. I picked up the phone and said, "Hello." He said, "Hi. This is dad."

I miss him.

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My Kids' Birthday Rap to Ma-Moo

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Twilight Birthday Party Fun

The birthday party was a success! Here are a few pictures:

Karaoke

The Birthday Cake

The Invitations

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I Can't Believe It!

My son is going to be nine years old next week! My only boy is growing up so fast. He is getting so tall too. Everybody is remarking about it the past few weeks - - he's definitely had a growth spurt. He's such a sweet kid too and does wonderful in school. He's overcome a lot and is doing great!!

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Happy Birthday!

Happy 7th Birthday, Baby!!!

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