Okay, since my kids were home sick today I did a lot of poking around and found coasters on Shutterfly that you can get photos printed on. I did this ages ago, but at the time, you had to get a set of 4, all with the same photo. But now, you can get 4 different photos. So I ordered 24 coasters all with different pics of DH! From toddler age til now. It was fun to do! I can put one at each place at the table. I may still do the M&Ms because I think they're great -- just have to see how my budget looks later. hhireno, thanks for the idea -- I did put "Last call for 49" on the invitation -- which I also ordered from Shutterfly. I know I'm a little crazy ordering this stuff so early but I have to space out the purchases so he doesn't get suspicious...

Thanks for your ideas. As far as a tradition, we would like to make it somethiing consistant each year with each (future) grandchildren. My children had a very unconsistant Grandmother (not my side)! and would sometimes get their feelings hurt by this. I like the idea of a sum of money, and perhaps a small gift. Deffinatly a day together!!! Thanks all...

We do reuse and recycle many household items here too. My kids are all built differently so we don't hand down many clothes. I donate clothes in decent condition to the school or the thrift stores. People are funny about used things. It can be quite entertaining at times. I've run into people who wouldn't be caught dead shopping at a garage sale or thrift store. Those same people do shop antique stores and estate sales which are glorified garage sales at higher prices. Then there are those people who don't shop thrift stores because that is for poor people. That's laughable. Truly poor people probably couldn't afford the prices at some of the thrift stores. I shop there because I the thrill of the hunt and it is possible to find a bargain on some things, but usually not clothes. I live in one of those areas where people often overprice their garage sale clothes. I can buy new for less. Overall, my best clothes bargains usually come from the mall during the 75-90% off sales. I wouldn't be too offended because someone doesn't want your hand me downs. I've gotten offers before. Honestly, I just didn't want to deal with the extra work. Sometimes when you get clothes ahead, you're storing it for a while even possibly a couple of years. Sometimes less is more when you're trying to organize and manage a household.

Well, this is the end of the first day. Just put the older one down at 8pm and had to install a night light for him too. He does fine in his mom's room these days, but with her not there tonight to sleep in the same room, he needs a night light. He used to sleep in his uncle's room right next to the bathroom, but this is the newest sleeping arrangement since the holidays when all the bedrooms were full. I loved rocking the 2 year old and singing songs before putting him down. Don't get to do that much and probably not for much longer. Maybe by then, our older son will provide us with a grandchild. He is marrying in September. We got out the Bristle Blocks I have saved for over 30 years. I was pleased to see that they were selling them again by the time the grands were born. Mr. Potato Head has been put together several different ways today, and the Fisher Price 30 year old barn, animals and farmer family are scattered about too. My back aches! Should be fine by morning.