Roll back 14 years to when my first daughter was the birthday girl and you would see her surrounded by heaping piles of the latest and greatest PLASTIC toys. I was a single mother and I thought that the way to success was to show the world that I could indeed provide for my daughter by giving her quantity. I don't think we still own even a single toy from her childhood. I kick myself thinking "If I had only saved that money, she would have so much more right now."
Tomorrow our youngest daughter will turn 2. Her daddy jumped at the chance when I asked him if he could make her a wooden toy stroller for her birthday. I only asked him this last night on his way home from work. He however went to the lumber yard when he got home and I heard all the power tools working in the shop late into the evening. She will have a single beautiful gift that will last through her childhood and perhaps more siblings.
I am much more wise now when it comes to how our family spends. We seek simplicity and quality. These choices provide much more in the long run than plastic mindless clutter.
Birthdays are a little different now
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It's a challenge with mine being 8 and 10 y.o. but I keep the right brain exercised (and the Michael's coupons handy!)
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