Birthday
Style!
“If You Give A Pig A Party” by Laura Nummeroff , this is the only book in this series I don’t own. I read it to my son yesterday while shopping for party supplies at Costco. I love this whole series, I like the cause and effect text and how even younger children start anticipating that the Pig is going to want something else… I love that the Pig’s party guests are the other Nummeroff characters, like the Moose from “If You Give A Moose A Muffin” and the Cat from “If You Give A Cat A Cupcake” . Such a fun book !
My son’s birthday is this weekend, he will be 2, and I decided that I wanted to have something akin to the notches on the door frame to see how he has grown. Each year I will offer up a canvas and see what happens. My husband asked me” What if he doesn’t want to do it one year?” ” Well then we’ll frame a blank canvas, that will be memorable too!” My son had the time of his life doing this, he ended up in the bath after covering himself and my kitchen in many many colors. If you want to have some fun here is what we did:
- Gather your materials. We grabbed all our paint, all non toxic , you can see why. Also a 8×10 canvas and a few brushes to choose from. Don’t forget the drop cloth, I don’t often get ours out, I am so happy I decided to today.
- Start by asking your child what colors they want, just because you are letting them go “wild” doesn’t mean you can slide some color lessons in !
- Switch up colors and brushes.
- Or forget brushes all together!
- Let dry and frame to make it a keep sake.
Books!
“On The Day You Were Born” by Debra Frasier is a beautiful book . It explains all the wonderful things the earth does every day but explains it through fresh eyes and makes it into a fantastic event. It goes on to introduce things like a sunrise, the phases of the moon and tides in a way that makes old cynical eyes see these as the magical things they are. I love that in this book the baby is born into a circle of familiar people who whisper into the baby’s ear ” We’re so glad you’ve come” it just rings true and gives me a big lump in my throat. Also I love how it doesn’t specify who the baby is being welcomed by, which is wonderful since families are so diverse , it fits everyone!
” Moira’s Birthday” by Robert Munsch is a silly book, most of his books are, but silly is great! Moira is excited about having her birthday and doesn’t know how to say no to all the kids at school when they beg to come to her party. She ends up with the whole school at her house and her parents don’t know what to do! Luckily Moira does. This book at first look may seem like Moira is a spoiled brat who gets her way but really she is problem solving and when she gives away a present to each child who helps clean up, you can see she just wanted a good party, and isn’t a gift grabbing brat at all! Kids LOVE this book, I have never read it to a class that didn’t laugh hysterically.
“If You Give A Pig A Party” by Laura Nummeroff , this is the only book in this series I don’t own. I read it to my son yesterday while shopping for party supplies at Costco. I love this whole series, I like the cause and effect text and how even younger children start anticipating that the Pig is going to want something else… I love that the Pig’s party guests are the other Nummeroff characters, like the Moose from “If You Give A Moose A Muffin” and the Cat from “If You Give A Cat A Cupcake” . Such a fun book !
Glamour Moms says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE DUDE!!!!! Hope you guys have a great weekend!!!
Amber, That's Me! says
Yes, Happy Birthday! I love the idea of doing one every year! I have always wanted to do the canvas thing, but haven’t tried. Maybe next month for the 4th birthday will be a good time to start!
Erin Tales says
What a wonderful idea! And I like that book!
Joyce says
Happy Birthday!!
Heather - CROQZine.com says
How fun! Happy birthday! I didn’t know he wasn’t two yet… he’s such a prodigious artist! 🙂
Devin says
Hello there,
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting all these great crafts!
Obviously, I am a new visitor here…someone posted your site on my blog just the other day, as I was lamenting (after making Indian Headdresses with my children) that I wished I could come up with more things for my oldest, who is 5, to do. He loves this sort of thing, and you are now officially subscribed in my reader! I am not crafty at all, unfortunately, so I am excited about getting some help!
I can’t wait to try out several of these things…keep ’em coming!
Devin in Illinois
MoziEsmé says
Awesome idea – it will be fun to see the progression over the years!
I’ve been wanting to invest in canvas just to see how Esme does with it, but it’s kind of pricy. I think I could handle it once a year, though…
Michelle Sybert says
what a wonderful mess! happy birthday little man!
Allie says
Thank you all for the wonderful well wishes! It was a very happy birthday for the wee man, filled with friends and family.
Amanda says
I started doing this at my daughter’s first birthday too. Now we have two beautiful painting hanging up in our living room. I love looking at the first one and seeing the knee impression from where she decided to crawl away!
Melissa Meacham says
LOVE the top picture!