Happy 14th Birthday to Callie! + Leah Darrow + Callie's 12th and 13th Birthday Parties

So today is my daughter's 14th birthday! She is my third child and my first girl. I'm just now posting her 12th and 13th birthday party pictures! Today is ice with a coat of snow in the Midwest so I'm not sure what we're going to do to make today special for her (she wants chocolate chip waffles, which I can do!), but we'll think of something!

Her party is tomorrow night and she's still having girls-only parties. It's going to be a huge sleepover and she's very excited! Recently she and her sister split up their single bedroom into two so she has her own space to decorate. Callie has always been fashion-conscious and knows how to decorate, so she is loving customizing her space! She is a woman of virtue!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CALLIE!

We went to the thrift store up the road from our old house and got a necklace for each guest for her 12th birthday party.

I snuck out to the bakery for macarons (NOT macaroons), something she has always been fascinated by.

I got a bunch of different fancy flavors and a swan … is that like an éclair? My girl has always wanted to go to Paris.

Here are some of her friends plus her sister Eva.

Also in February 2017 the kids went to see Leah Darrow speak, former America's Top Model contestant and amazing Catholic woman!

Happy 13th birthday to Callie in our new house with her dad!

Callie's 13th birthday party friends!

How To Choose The Best Childcare Option For Your Little One

There are different options parents can choose from for childcare such as family day care, in-home care and a child care center. No matter which choice you decide upon, as a parent you are tasked with finding a provider you can trust. If you are looking for reputable child care centers near me Tampa FL, consider letting your child attend the center found at www.pandahugs.com. Below are some tips for finding a good center to allow your children to attend.

Visit Centers

If you plan to put your child in a daycare center such as toddler newmarket, it is important to plan a visit beforehand. Take note of how the children are interacted with. Ideally, good caregivers are participating with the kids they are watching. Also, be sure there is a good caregiver-to-kid ratio. Some states have specific laws regarding how many kids a single caregiver can watch.

Ask For Commitment

A baby will need consistent, predictable care. According to the experts, this is how a baby or smaller child will be able to get a secure attachment to those who are taking care of them. If you are considering a center, find out how long each of the current caregivers has been working there or if they have a high turnover rate.

Perform Policy Check

Before you commit to a caregiver or daycare center, be sure their philosophies on certain topics are the same as yours. Discipline is one of the more important topics that you and your child's caregiver should be on the same page about. If you don't believe in spanking your child, you won't want to leave your child with a caregiver who gives them out for bad behavior.

Solve Problems Quickly

Conflict at some point is inevitable with you and your child's caregiver. It is crucial to address any problems as soon as possible. Ignoring any issues can leave them to grow until it may not be something that is fixable any longer.


These are just some of the things that need to be looked into when searching for a daycare option for your child. Your child is the most important person in your life. They need and deserve adequate care when you are not with them.

               

Putting Together Festivities and Celebrations for Everyone

When you are in charge of planning a party, you may need some help with everything you have to do.  You may face tasks like finding a venue at which to hold the celebration, hiring a caterer, and even choosing a DJ to play songs and provide entertainment.  Everything may seem like it is too much for you to handle at one time.

Rather than skimp on the details, you could get help to plan the perfect night of festivities by hiring a company to assist you with some of the larger tasks.  By outsourcing some or all of the jobs to a professional assistant, secretary at your business, or party planning companies ny hosts like you could pull off a night to remember without all of the worry and hassle. 


Choosing the Venue

Perhaps the most pressing issue you need to deal with is finding a venue that is large enough to accommodate the number of guests you expect to attend the party.  Depending on the number of people invited, you may need to reserve a place like a banquet hall or large reception room.  You may even want to hold it outside if the weather is expected to be nice.

However, party venues tend to book up quickly.  You also may only know of a few places where you can hold the party in your area.  Rather than despair about not getting a place, you could have the company locate the venue for you. 

The staff with these companies tend to know of more places where parties can be held.  They may be able to get you one for the budget you have in mind.


Other Details

The company can also assist with smaller details like finding a DJ to play songs or possibly even hiring a band.  The staff members can also recommend caterers and give insight on what kinds of decorations to use during the party.  You avoid having to figure out all of these details on your own and get professional help putting together a night that guests will not soon forget. 

               

Our Trip to IHOP for National Pancake Day Free Short Stack March 8, 2016 #IHOP #NationalPancakeDay

*Posts have a mind of their own sometimes. This is a post from an old blog called Frugalicious Family Fun from 2016 that migrated all by itself over here where you might see it and love it and be helped by it to be inspired to take your family out for free food! For information about the 2019 IHOP National Pancake Day on March 12, please click on the words!

Here's a post about last summer's IHOP 57-cent pancake day, which was a blast. We don't eat out much so when we do we like it to be CHEAP!

Now it's time for National Pancake Day and short stacks are FREE. This is where homeschooling comes in ... we can go pretty much anytime to check out the crowd situation. How busy could it possibly be at 2 p.m.? We shall see.

UPDATE: we went at 11 after calling to see how busy it was. We raced over and were seated immediately. Then a zillion people came in after us. They were on top of things and our waiter was amazing! We gave a donation to Children's Miracle Network and I also tipped the waiter very well because what a day to be a server! I remember those days well :-) Besides, I sold an article today so I could splurge a little on making someone else happy and on buying bacon for the kids and coffee for me! GREAT EXPERIENCE!

IHOP National Pancake Day 2016

During National Pancake Day, the company's largest philanthropic event of the year, more than 1,500 IHOP restaurants across the country will invite guests to enjoy a complimentary short stack of IHOP's signature delicious buttermilk pancakes from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Guests will be encouraged to make a voluntary contribution to their local Children's Miracle Network Hospital.

100% of the donations will help local charities provide vital equipment, life-saving procedures and critical care for sick and injured children.

There is a limit of one free short stack per guest. The offer is valid at participating restaurants for dine-in only while supplies last, and is not valid with any other offer, special, coupon or discount.

Our Trip to IHOP 58-Cent Short Stack Pancakes for Their Anniversary 2016

*This post migrated itself from an old blog called Frugalicious Family Fun, originally posted March 8, 2016. For information on the 2019 IHOP Free Short Stack for National Pancake Day, just click the words!

Last July 7, 2015 was IHOP’s (International House of Pancakes) 57th anniversary of being in business, and to celebrate they gave customers a short stack (3 pancakes) for only 57 cents.

This was my friend’s bill for his 4 kids.

Mine was higher because I got some bacon for the all the kids to share and some eggs for myself. I ate one of my pancakes then got the rest to go for my husband to have later.

All the kids had water to save money. We had quite the crew of 12 and might I suggest that if you are able, do not go at night for dinner! The place is INSANELY packed then. Go in the afternoon if you are able; our location was not busy at all!

My family LOVES deals like this. Also every year IHOP does a FREE short stack per person for National Pancake Day.