Deeanne Gist - www.deeannegist.com - Inspirational Romance Author

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

January Birthdays

This is the last month I'll be able to say I have four teenagers because our 19 year old daughter will soon be turning 20. So, we are at the beginning of the end of the teenage years.

This daughter is away at college and will not be able to come home for her birthday, nor will we be able to go to her. So, she had us make her favorite meal and freeze it so she could take it with her (when she left after Christmas break--thus ensuring the tradition of getting the meal of her choice on her birthday. She chose a chicken-and-squash casserole.)

I enjoy shopping for the kids--even though it is right after Christmas. Mainly because we have had them make Christmas lists and Birthday lists since they were really little. They have become quite adept at it. So adept, that they will list what stores to buy the item at, how much it costs, where I can find it cheaper, an internet link in case I can't find it locally and even full color pictures of the item for clarification. Check out our daughter's list here. (The formatting went a little haywire when I uploaded, but you get the idea.)

Is that just a hoot? But, truly, it makes shopping so much fun. We actually have three birthdays this month. As of today, the kids are 19, 18, 17 & 15. By the end of the month they will be 20, 19, 17 & 16.

Wanna know something funny? I will actually have *two* 19-year-olds for about a week. Our second baby was born 6 days before his sister's 1st birthday, so they are the same age for six days of every year. Ha!

Well ... I'm off to the mall!

posted by Deeanne at 12:56 PM

11 Comments:

Barb said...: That's just mind-boggling....
Your daughter has good taste!
Meg said...: But of course Dee's daughter would have good taste!

Dee, how did you survive the years when the kids were all in high-maintenance mode and so close in age?

Next month is our multiple-birthdays month: husband and daughter on the same day, then our older son two days after that. We celebrate all three on the day in between the actual birthdays.
Deeanne said...: Early on I told the kids they could only have 3 parties in their lifetime: Ages 5, 10 & 16.

That meant I was still giving a birthday party every year (because someone was always turning one of those ages), but at least I wasn't giving *four* parties a year!

Our youngest turns 16 this month. And instead of a party, he wants us to foot the bill for a day in the recording studio with his band. Believe it or not, that will actually be less expensive than having a big party (and a lot less trouble)!!
Belinda Peterson said...: Dee,
My brothers and I are Jan 4,6 and 10. We all got our fav meal on our birthdays too. I ALWAYS picked Mac and cheese. My dad wasnt thrilled, but I was.

Thanks for sharing.
Sandy said...: I love the running shorts!

It's going to be an exciting month in the Gist home!
Deeanne said...: Belinda, Your mac & cheese story reminds me of when the kids were little and we took them on individaul "Christmas dates." They got to choose the restaurant of their choice for dinner. For a few years there, we were eating at McDonald's four times in a row. And,you guessed it, "dad" was not thrilled! He likes it much better now because they take him to a steak house. Ha!

Clever solution to your birthday crunch, Meg.
Sharlene MacLaren said...: Oh, I love the idea of the birthday/Christmas lists. Every year my kids (sons-in-law included) make up very detailed lists for me. Makes shopping so much easier, plus, I know I'm getting them things they'll actually use and enjoy--and might not ever buy otherwise. 'Course, I have to sometimes beg, bribe, and bawl my eyes out before I get the actual lists in my hands. They get a kick out of me 'cause long about June 12, I'll start saying, "You got your Christmas lists started yet?" That usually gets a groan or two.

Dee, you had your hands full when these children were toddlers.

My daughter runs a daycare in her basement. Her own son is 10-months, and the other four boys she watches are age 2 and under. She's a great manager, though, and loves doing it.

Once in a while when she has to go to the doctor or run an important errand, I watch the daycare for her. And beleive me, when I'm watching all those kids, I'm also watching the clock!

Blessings, one and all,
Shar
Sarah said...: I love the mall!!
Me and my mom and my 2 sisters went a week ago! My favorite store is Rue21. =)
The only January birthdays I know of are my brother Christophers who will be 6, and my old foreign exchange student from germany who will be 18 I think.
Sarah said...: sorry, but this is my real blogger im going to use. my other one wasnt working.
are all the people who leave you comments fans or friends?
comment back. =)
~sarah
Sharlene MacLaren said...: Sarah, this blog is open for any and all. We have a good time, and tend to get a bit goofy sometimes. Fans of Dee's? You bet!

Welcome.
angela said...: I'm a great present guesser. Because of this my family and friends justify lying to my face around Christmas time.

I'm a great present giver, too. I'm sneaky, and my loved ones have no idea what is coming.

And I go all out for birthday parites. My husband compares me to Clark Griswold in the movie Christmas Vacation. I should probably try some of the ideas posted here.