English Country Dancing...Fun for Everyone, Especially Great for Teens!

This summer our family discovered English Country Dancing.  Our community has a local, family oriented group that meets on a regular basis. We love attending and learning various dances. The setting is laid back and informal, and it is great fun!  Dads with babies in front backs, ladies in their seventies, middle aged folk, engaged young couples, singles, teens and elementary aged children...all spending a delightful evening together learning an old art form.

When our family heard that there was a formal event geared towards families with older children, we were thrilled! I whole heartedly support the Christian community reclaiming the art of beautiful, wholesome social dancing. Our entire family was not able to attend this event, but two of our teens were able to travel with good family friends and enjoyed a wonderful new experience.

 For the young men it is a wonderful way to learn about being a gentleman, even to their sisters!  The focus is group dancing  (you are forever switching partners in English Country Dancing), but the gentlemen must ask a lady to dance.  They are instructed to make sure all the ladies are being included, especially since there are often more ladies than gentlemen. It is an excellent opportunity for young men to initiate and lead. Even the occasion to dress like a gentleman is a benefit in this day of grunge and shagginess. I notice that our own young men stand a bit straighter and speak with a bit more confidence when they have a sport coat on their backs!

 For the ladies, a formal ball is a chance to delight in godly femininity. It is a time to be dignified  and graceful. Ladies are instructed to respond graciously to requests to dance, whether they accept or decline. I will do another post on how to dress modestly/modify a typical formal gown for modesty, but it is a wonderful time to consider these issues as mother and daughter ( not to mention learn useful techniques for modifying everyday clothing). Our gown modification was a three generation event in and of itself! And what a fun time of shopping and planning together!  Many of the ladies at the ball wore period costume dress, which I think will be on a wish list sometime soon. There are some lovely patterns out there!

One area I especially appreciate about such an event is the atmosphere that emphasizes godly relationships.  Modeled before my children are both older couples that love each other very much and  couples in the courtship and engagement phase of life. Several college age couples were present (couples who had attend these events as younger teens) and they, along with other couples in our circle of friends, provide a healthy "normal" of how such relationships can be approached. The whole emphasis on "otherness"... considering another's needs above your own...is what impresses me most. My favorite picture of the evening was of  a special set of four dancers: my son, a friend's daughter, another friend's son, and this young man's 20-something year old sister. The sister has severe autism and functions as a preschooler. When she heard there was a ball she wanted to be in on the action and came decked out in her own fancy dress. It brought tears to my eyes hear ( and see, thanks to a kind photographer) that our teens were thoughtful enough to see that she was included and had fun.

So....if you are looking for something fun and worthwhile, check out the English Country Dancing opportunities in your community. I hear they are springing up all over.  You Tube has come excellent tutorials, as well as video from various ball events.   Pleasant Dancing!

Seeing The Bright Side

Winter is often a season that is tainted with discontent. There is plenty of grey and cold....an abundance of things to fuel your pity party fire if you choose to go there! After almost four years of living in an urban location, I can say that the same is true for city living. It is easy to neglect the art of appreciating the distinctiveness that makes each day (and each situation!) unique. During the warmer months, both gardening and walking allow my thoughts to easily turn back to the good things. I am creating a place of fruitfulness and love in the midst of concrete and traffic! Somehow the importance of the mission I never would have chosen drowns out the sirens. The urban clutter and the people here become beautiful to me. But now, in the midst of the brown grass, indoor season, I have to redouble my efforts to relish the blessings of this place where the Lord has led us. This week the Lord has challenged me to dwell on the benefits and blessings of this place:

*People of every race and economic level walk by my house daily. Some walk to catch the bus, some walk to be "green"; some to shop and some for exercise; some because they have nothing else to do and some because they are, as my mother would say, "up to no good."

*My children are not growing up isolated from the poor. Although sometimes we feel somewhat "disadvantaged" around those we know, rubbing shoulders with true poverty keeps this in perspective. We are warm, we are loved, we are fed. The rest isn't all that important.

*Seeing those who daily rely on the bus for transportation, and moms who must walk with their little children to the grocery, causes me to feel blessed to own a 14 year old van.

*The dozens of police and ambulance sirens I hear each day give me the opportunity to pray for those in distress. I remember that there is no certainty in life and people everywhere are scared and suffering.

*Friends and relatives drop by our house often. Our clutter is not hidden, and it keeps us humble. We are connected to our community because our location allows us to be in the middle of people's lives.

*You never know who will show up in our driveway or be knocking at our door. A woman trying to sell her coffee pot so she can pay a bill, a mom with a broken down car, a man looking for lawn care work. We have the unique opportunity  ( providing our ferocious dogs are visible and hubby is at home!) to hand hot children cups of juice, share our jug of milk, and provide information about community relief ministries to those who are in need.  I recently heard some one say that it is fashionable to talk about the poor,but sadly, not fashionable to talk to them. We (using prudence of course) get to talk to them.

*Our family is visible. One day when our car was smoking, the mechanic called us because he noticed our situation. A man asked if we ran a nursery school because he frequently saw a crowd of children playing in the yard. Older neighbors tell me memories of this house we call home and appreciate a young family giving life to an old house. Our family can be a city on a hill, a little place of love in a cold world.  There is a mom at home stirring the soup, a dad working hard day in and day out, and people see it all...fish bowl living at its best. And, on those weeks when we miss trash day and everyone knows it because our trash can sits there overflowing, we glory in the fact that the Lord keeps us humble. Perfect we are not, and what a blessing to know it!



















Heart Macro Monday , Wise Woman Builds Her Home link up.

Happy 2012!

Happy 2012 to all of you!  I have certainly missed blogging regularly over the holiday season, but it was a lovely, restful, and creative time for our family.  We made many the gifts we gave as Christmas presents, which was great fun for me.  I have sunk deep into several challenging books and lingered over some good poetry in spare moments.  Mostly, we have just "slowed", stepped back from the normal, and, at least in my case, gained fresh perspective.  Now that we are pulling out of that wonderful "lull week" between Christmas and New Year and are getting back into the normal routine again, I am eagerly waiting to what the Lord will do with 2012!  In several areas, I feel the Spirit's wind at our backs, pushing and challenging our family in several areas.  I'd love to know your how you feel the Lord is leading you as the new year begins!  And if you have any thoughts on posts you would like to see from Pleasantburg this year, shoot me and email or leave a comment....I am doing a bit of planning and praying in that department as well!

Merry Night Before Christmas!

I love thinking about the night before the first Christmas.  I hope this song will be a blessing to you as you anticipate celebrating the Savior's birth tomorrow. May the song of salvation that was begun so long ago give you renewed joy and peace this Christmas!  "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."  ~2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)

Meow....

 To say that I am "not good at keeping secrets" is an understatement. I am known for innocently asking things like, "What do you think about giving your brother the same book the kids and I just bought for you?"  Or , before a surprise party, boldly proclaiming, " All hands on deck! Let's get this place cleaned up!  The visitors will be here in half an hour!!"  Seriously. So, this time of year, I really do try to just  let a quiet "meow" suffice....an aloof Siamese, instead of a bubbling, yapping terrier...for a brief season!

The Cat


Observe the Cat upon this page.
Philosophers in ever age,
The very wisest of the wise
Have tried her mind to analyze
In vain, for nothing can they learn.
She baffles them at every turn
Like Mister Hamlet in the play.
She leads their reasoning astray;
She feigns an interest in string
Or yarn or any rolling thing.
Unlike the Dog, she does not care
With common Man her thoughts to share.
She teaches us that in life's walk
'Tis better to let others talk,
And listen while they say instead
The foolish things we might have said.

--Oliver Herford

Creative and Meaningful Gifts for Seniors

I share a birthday with two fabulous seniors...my sweet  Grandmother-in-love and neighbor  (pictured here), and a dear lady from my church, who always takes the time to give me a call if she isn't able to speak to me personally on Sunday!

Our family is blessed to have an above average number of senior adults in our lives. While we cherish a simple approach to Christmas gift giving, I find that this time of year is an ideal time to be an extra blessing to the older adults we cherish. Many of  the following gift ideas can be given with little or no monetary expense on the part of the giver, but they go a long way to show that you care for the needs and happiness of the recipient.  Here are some of the things we keep in mind as we consider gifts to seniors:

* Gifts of Service: Think of the areas where the senior is limited and attempt to meet a need around the home or yard. This can be done with labor you personally provide or in the form of a gift certificate to hire someone else to do the job.  Ideas include: gutter cleaning, computer maintenance, cell phone updating/lessons ( my son updates my contacts for me for Mother's Day every year and I love it!), snow shoveling, garden tilling, window cleaning, car washing/cleaning....and much more!

*Paying for a Regular Expense: Gift certificates for hair cuts, car maintenance, vet visits for pets; paying their phone or electric bill for the month.

*Gift From and For the Kitchen: If a senior is still living at home and able to cook for themselves, consider giving them a gift for their freezer.  Containers of pre-chopped vegetables ( items like celery, peppers and onions that are often used in cooking) can  be a real luxury for someone who has arthritic hands and finds chopping difficult. Freeze them individually on a tray ( thus avoiding a frozen hunk of peppers that are hard to separate!), then place in small zip lock bags in small amounts. Homemade soups can be frozen in ice cube trays ( for easy defrosting) and divided into freezer bags ( 4 cubes per bag) for single serving size portions.  Who doesn't love easy access to a hot cup of homemade soup on a cold day?  Freezable containers can be bought that hold meals "T.V. Dinner style" and filled with delicious, complete meals from your kitchen. Homemade cookies can be frozen and given as a gift for the freezer, or you gave a rolled "log" of homemade cookie dough for slice and bake cookies. Seniors can bake just one or two cookies at a time in their toaster oven for a warm and tasty treat! Homemade bread can be frozen after slicing so the bread can be defrosted and eaten one slice at a time. Remember to label everything  in large print, with defrosting/reheating instructions and expiration dates clearly visible.

*Favorite "Old Fashioned" favorites:  Seniors may not be comfortable ordering from the Internet themselves, but you have access to many of their "old favorites" that cannot be found in local stores. Perhaps they have a favorite cleaning product, like Bon Ami or Fells Naptha soap that is hard to find, or a favorite kind of candy (like Neco wafers,horehound candy, or Boston Baked Beans) that is not commonly found locally. Check out Internet and catalog options such as The Vermont Country Store, Mast General Store, or Lehman's and see what kind of things you can come up with that will feel familiar and be appreciated. If you are not sure, ask another senior for ideas! Place a collection of products together in a gift basket.

*Homemade Gifts: Grandparents and great grandparents love gifts that connect them to their grandchildren.  Frame some of your children's artwork, make a calendar for the new year with family photos, decoupage items using family photos ( jars for pencil holders,wooden trays, paper mache boxes...).  You can also have your older children write a 30 day devotional using their favorite Bible passages. Younger children can decorate the book with their artwork or you can add in some family photos. What a joy for a grandparent to be able to see the spiritual growth and maturity of their children's children!  

*Donations: Consider giving a gift to someone in need in honor of a senior.  Make it as personal as possible, perhaps giving to an individual or family your know personally. If appropriate, provide the senior with a prayer card for the recipient of the donation so they can be in prayer for them, and perhaps even with an address so they can encourage the recipient with a note or card as time goes on.

*Special idea for those in Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Home Settings: Audio books or uplifting music; something to share with visitors: chocolates, instant coffee, hot chocolate, or tea bags if they have a microwave; pretty paper napkins to use with visitors or to brighten up their meal times; something in the way of room decor to personalize their room ( check with the facility for regulations); boxed cards and stamps so they can send birthday cards to loved ones; small photo books they can show to staff and visitors.

Enjoy blessing those wonderful senior adults this Christmas and let me know what ideas you have for blessing this special group of people!

Pleasant Projects: Making Your Own Teepee Tent

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, and playtime moving indoors more and more as the weather cools down, this is a great time of year to make a teepee tent!  I made this one several years ago after seeing one my friend had made. It is still a favorite with our little ones. It is cozy spot for doing a puzzle or reading a book...even taking a nap! I love to pull it out on rainy days and during the Thanksgiving season when we are reading books about native Americans.We have even used it for special events at church.  In case you are wondering, it can also be easily folded and stored in a closet or under a bed when not in use....I love that!

This tent was made using these directions from Sew, Mama, Sew as a spring board. ( If you have been reading this blog for very long you know how bad I am about following directions exactly. Look closely at the back of the tent you will see a circular "peep-hole"...yup, my first attempt at cutting the hole for the poles was incorrect.  I was going to just patch it in some colorful fabric, but it  turns out that it is really fun to have a little toilet-paper-roll-sized "window" for spying! )  I was easily able to acquire bamboo poles and a painter's drop cloth at our local hardware super store. For a punch of color I  used hot glue to secure the blue rick rack and red craft paint for the stars and circles.  I had a star stencil in my craft box and simply dipped the bottom end of a Crayola marker in the paint for the circles that are seen along the bottom edge of the canvas. I found a red bandanna  in our dress-up box and used it to cover the rubber bands that are holding the bamboo poles together at the top. The possibilities for decorations are endless. I think it would be lots of fun to let your children decorate the canvas for themselves. I'd love to see what designs you come up with, so send me a photo if you make one!  Happy Crafting!!

Fall Break...

"Then came October, full of merry glee."  ~Spenser

We have been enjoying a bit of a fall break...apple picking,  household chore day, time with friends and relatives. Be back soon!

Beautiful Mornings

a lovely breakfast while on vacation....

I have a million fond memories of the "summer adventure" I took with my older girls this summer.  Some of the most pleasurable times were spent eating breakfast outdoors in our hostess' back yard. There is something "exceedingly fitting and right" about starting a new day out in God's creation, watching little birds and squirrels and seeing the dew on the grass.  Our hostess had a wonderful little table set each morning  with a variety of simple foods....fruit salad, homemade jams, toast, bacon, muffins. Nothing fancy, but what a lovely way to ease into the day.

This summer I made a conscious effort to bring a little more beauty into our breakfast at home, at least a few times a week.  In my eyes, a bagel on a pretty glass plate is a bit more satisfying than a bagel on an ordinary plate. Waffles eaten the porch table with a dainty bouquet of garden herbs as a centerpiece are just a bit more memorable that  waffles eaten at the regular dining table. There is just something about beauty first thing in the morning. And then...enter the school year. We have to be up and going at an early hour, starting  the laundry and the school work, and I need to be up even earlier to have my cherished moments of Bible reading and prayer alone.  There is just not a lot of time for fussing with pretty table settings and the like. The day must be begun so we can get it all done! This is real life with several children. Don't get me wrong, having a house full of people to nurture and care for is my dream life and I wouldn't change it for anything...even for another hour of sleep in the morning!  It is lovely and invigorating in its own right, but not leisurely :).

In spite of the complications, I am still finding that some occasional extra effort in the department of loveliness goes a long way in starting the school/work day with a mindset of  "beauty in the midst of business". It really takes no more time to pull out a pretty tea cup than it takes to pull out a coffee mug. (And taking a moment or two to hand wash a tea cup later in the morning  provides a relaxing, yet productive, "slow moment" while a student is completing a math drill!) The little extra additions of beauty to our morning reminds us and our loved ones that it is possible move beyond mere survival, even in busy circumstances.

Take a little extra time to think about what causes you to gracefully begin your day. Maybe it is not breakfast, or pretty dishes and flowers for you.  Perhaps it is as easy as a walk out to feed and pet the dogs, or taking the time to write a poem or watch the birds. And there is certainly no more beautiful way to start the day than joyfully feeding and snuggling the precious babies God places in your care. Bible reading/prayer time is a given and by far the most important thing. Nothing can replace or mimic time with the Lord.  A mom with a quiet spirit and a heart set on the Lord will adorn the breakfast table like nothing else!  Whatever it is for you in your season of life, delight in those morning moments and allow them to set a tone of beauty for your day ahead.

Summer Afternoon

"All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going — one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world." 
— Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne's House of Dreams)

Sunday Music

Our region has had a week full of pop-up storms, downed limbs, and power outages.  Add to this a broken down computer and a  busy week of ministry at church and in our home, and you have one mama who was ready for a day of rest! Don't  you love Sunday? How kind God was to give us one day in seven to focus on Him and give our tired minds and bodies a rest from the usual pace of life.

We have found that music is one of the best ways to keep our family focused on the purpose of the Lord's Day.  Starting Saturday evening, we pull out several collections of hymns and keep them on as back ground music.  As we are ironing Sunday clothes, putting a meal in the crock pot, and doing our Saturday evening "whole house tidy" we are reminded what it is that we are preparing for...that wonderful day of worship and rest. And on Sunday the music reminds us that the day is not an ordinary day filled with the normal tasks to be accomplished, but a day of spiritual and physical refreshment. Here is what has been playing here this weekend:

Fernando Ortega: Hymns and Meditations, Hymns of Worship
Chris Rice: Peace Like a River: The Hymn Project
Selah: Greatest Hymns


If you enjoy a more contemporary music style with the wonderful lyrics of older hymns, anything by Indelible Grace is wonderful as well.  I pull out the Indelible Grace music late Sunday afternoon when I need to rouse everyone for evening worship! Have a blessed day of worship and rest and a pleasant week ahead!

*If you have musical children be sure to check back later this week as I feature a guest post by Marcia Russell. Many years ago a woman at my church was telling me about her relative, Marcia, who had five children. I thought, " I would sure like to meet that lady!" In God's providence, several years later, our paths crossed and she has been a blessing to me...one of those women a few steps ahead of me in the journey of motherhood and faith, who has been available and willing to share what she has learned along the way.  I know you will enjoy reading what she has to say about her experiences in raising musical children!*

Only a Dad, but the Best of Men

Only a Dad

                      

Only a dad with a tired face,

Coming home from the daily race,

Bringing little of gold or fame

To show how well he has played the game;

But glad in his heart that his own rejoice

To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,

One of ten million men or more

Plodding along in the daily strife,

Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,

With never a whimper of pain or hate,

For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,

Merely one of the surging crowd,

Toiling, striving from day to day,

Facing whatever may come his way,

Silent whenever the harsh condemn,

And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,

To sooth the way for his children small,

Doing with courage stern and grim

The deeds that his father did for him.

This is the line that for him I pen:

Only a dad, but the best of men.                                            

                                                     ~ Edgar Guest 

A million Happy Father's Day wishes to my wonderful, hardworking, "no scar, no story" husband! To him and all the other unsung dads out there who toil daily, putting aside their personal comfort and faithfully doing what needs to be done in these difficult economic times so their wives can be at home with the next generation,  your sacrifices are not unnoticed. You are truly among the best of men!

Visitors!!

This week we were blessed by a visit from some of our dearest far-away friends.  My sweet friend K. and her six children came to our house for a few days to attend a special home school event with us. It was one gigantic, three day slumber party! So many sweet times together....big girls (and my husband) loving the baby, best friends together again in princess dresses ( in the tree house!),  five giggling little girls lined on the floor in sleeping bags (two of them in matching smocked dresses..princess nightgowns, you know!), three little boys sound asleep down in Thunderbolts' room( worn out from playing), two mamas staying up late talking about everything under the sun, a back yard so full of kids that Mr. T. said it looked like an amusement park, the BBQ pork roast that just kept on feeding everyone!

  The time apart had made no difference, age differences were no concern...true friends, more like sisters and brothers, all of us...what a gift from God!  When K. and I met over ten years ago I could not have imagined all we would go through together.  We may hold the record for the phrase, " Guess what! I think I need my maternity clothes back!" And I couldn't have asked for a better friend during our difficult times surrounding Thunderbolt's pregnancy and early arrival. She was my children's second mom, watching them for every doctor appointment, even when we had to go every other day at the end. She kept most of them during his sudden arrival ( the first person I called with the news), comforting those old enough to understand the gravity of the situation ( one child sobbing in her hallway), praying for my tiny babe ( even when I didn't have the strength to give her many details), and spending the next months helping when needed ( the only person I dared ask to bring us toilet paper when we were out!).

 I find it so interesting that as we have journeyed together in motherhood that the Lord always seems to be leading us in the same direction and teaching us similar things. What times of rich conversation and encouragement we have, spurring one another on to good deeds and godliness. What a joy to see our children sharing the same love for one another, and hear our husbands speak of how they miss one another's company.
 .

As K.'s little boy said while playing in the yard, "This is the best day ever!!"  Yes, just how I felt...some of the best days ever...enjoying being together again!  Thank you, Lord, for the blessing and encouragement of godly friends!

Celebrating Easter in Song: Resurrection Sunday

   We have had a busy day preparing for our Easter celebration tomorrow.  We look forward to a day filled with worship, fellowship with church family, and time with extended family. This hymn has been a favorite of mind since my youth, and there are a million other Easter hymns dear to me...When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,Up From the Grave He Arose, and O Sacred Head Now Wounded, just to name a few.  But this selection really says all there is to say!

If you prefer the more contemporary side of things , I suggest Still Rolls the Stone and I Know That My Redeemer Lives, by Bob Bennett, Glorious Day ( Living He loved Me), by Casting Crowns, and In Christ Alone, the Avalon rendition being my personal favorite. All of theses have excellent lyrics. For various reasons I was unable to find a suitable video to share for these songs, but you may look them up and listen as you think upon Christ and rejoice this Easter. I hope each one of you have a most blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Celebrating Easter in Song: Good Friday

                                                    

Celebrating Easter in Song: Thursday

Things are slowing down at our house for the rest of the week...or at least deviating from the normal slate of activities. I guess things are never really "slow" when you have five children! The celebration of the resurrection is just a few days a way!  Don't you love it!?  Those who are in Christ have SO much to celebrate!  At Christmas we love to sing and play Christmas hymns and carols that point us to the gift of Christ.  I wonder why, at Easter, we do not find the same thrill in intentionally playing all the wonderful songs and hymns that sing of Christ's last week on earth, his sacrifice for us, and his triumph over death and sin?  These selections will show my age, but as I was peeling carrots this morning and thinking about the Last Supper and Jesus' last day before his crucifixion, they came to mind. Both of these songs were sung at our wedding, which is probably why I thought of them first! There are so many excellent hymns as well. Consider searching You Tube, Rhapsody, or some other source, and celebrating Holy Week in song as you do your chores today. I intentionally choose videos that are visually slow because it is the words that carry the message. I usually just turn the monitor off and listen, but it is nice to be able to read the lyrics as well. Over the next few days  I will ( Lord willing) be posting some Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday hymns and songs, so be sure to check back.  Feel free to post a comment and share your favorite Easter Carols!

Multi-generational Birthday Celebrations

When we moved back "home" three years ago, I never would have imagined the rich times our family has had during our multi-generational family gatherings.  Birthday celebrations are my personal favorite.  We almost always have four generations  in attendance.  Lots of work? Sometimes, but I try to keep things as simple as possible. Cake (made and decorated by the girls), hot and cold beverages (don't forget the decaf options), cute plates and napkins (bought in advance on clearance at places like Tuesday Morning...whenever I happen to be in the store), simple decorations from around the house ( like baby pictures or a name spelled out with toy blocks), and games.  I really believe the games have been key to our memorable times.  This is one time when, as the hostess, you have the power to bless the birthday person and create meaningful  multi-generational interactions. If you don't have grandparents and great-grand parents in your area, consider inviting some older folks from your church or neighborhood and sharing your family times with them!  Here are some things that have worked well for our multi-generational celebrations:

*Bingo:  we were given a fantastic Bingo set by Front Porch Classics for Christmas one year. Boy, have we used it! This game appeals to all ages.  We even get the toddlers into the action by letting them be the "callers".  We whisper the letter and number into their ear and they shout it out. SO much fun for everyone!  My nephew is famous for playing suspenseful music during the Final Show Down between the last two players.  Prizes are simple but fun, and something that can be easily shared...chocolate is usually somewhere in there, with a non-food prize option for the allergic crowd. We have even considered having a prize that is passed from winner to winner since we play this game often!

* Birthday-Person Trivia:  The birthday person helps me make up a list of about 15 questions...everything from their favorite color, to birth weight, memories from the infancy, current height,least favorite food, and so on.  We make some multiple choice and allow younger children to help the grandparents. After handing out paper and pencils, the fun begins with the hostess reading out the questions. A bonus championship question is also lots of fun.

*Ask the oldest person at the party to tell what life was like when they were the age of the birthday person, or share a memory they have from when they were that age.  Include as many of the "older folk" as you wish on this...you will learn a great deal and it is a great way to build ties between the generations.  Ask in advance if they have a picture or special memorabilia they could bring from when they were that age.

* Play several rounds of Hot-Potato, having the ones left holding the potato to tell their favorite thing about the birthday person, or tell what they think the person might grow up to be and why. Again, this game is fun for toddlers,the elderly, and everyone in between. And such a blessing for the birthday person! (Teenagers love to use the ringtone Hot Potato Game on someone's phone. They really come up with some funny tunes!)

* Let everyone write down something they appreciate about the birthday person and read them out loud at the table.

What are your ideas for multi-generational gatherings?  I'd love to add to our collection of ideas!