Birthdays

 Today I turn 35 years old.

I HATE birthdays always have since the time I was very small I would cry at every birthday and I remember this vividly because my mother used to make fun of me every year for it.(Side note you should never make fun of children those memories last a life time.) 

I don't care that I am aging that doesn't bother me. Always young at heart and all that jazz.

Every year I wonder what have I done to make a difference in this world. What have I done to leave an impact and the world a little better. I try to tell myself that its the little things that cause a ripple effect. But in the back of my mind I am telling myself that isn't enough, I am not enough. 

I tend to treat life like a check list, like one of my to do lists. 

This year instead of a to do list I am creating a list of things I have done to impact others, things that I have done that caused little ripples in this world. 

Maybe one day I will create a bigger ripple, ones that make an impact at the world level. I doubt it but I can always dream right?

 I know, I know, its like saying I need validation through helping others to make me have self worth. But for me thats not it all. Every ounce of me has a need to help others. A need to right the wrongs and try to leave the world a little better when I leave than when I got here. 

 I don't need a pat on the back or a thank you or world recognition I just need to know in my own mind that I made a difference. 

 

 

I want I want I want...but for cheap

Reading posts looking for custom made cakes or anything for that matter but that want it cheap or "reasonably priced". Here is the thing, would you want your boss to say to you I want you to do this work but for $5.00 an hour because they feel its a "reasonable" price for your work. Would you do it? Would you find a new job? Would you feel devalued because you know your work is worth more?

Well this goes the same for those of us who create from home.

I did a cake and cupcakes for a friend this weekend so I didn't charge for it, but when people complain about prices, CUSTOM ISN'T CHEAP! If you want cheap go to Walmart.

What I would have charged for someone other than a friend 78 cupcakes and 6" cake is $130.00

How my costs break down and my time.

Cost to make 78 cupcakes and a 6" cake: $16.00
Time: 3 hours

Cost to make fondant for 78 cupcakes and a 6" cake: $10.00
Time: 4 hours

Cost to make the chocolate horns: $20.00
Time: 3 hours

Cost to Ice 78 cupcakes and a 10" cake: $34.00 (I use real butter)
Time: 4.5 hours

Hydro usage: $30.00

Total Cost: $110.00
Total Time: 14.5 hours

Which makes my time worth: $1.34 an hour........

What is your time worth?

Homeschool: Birthdays

Birthdays now a days are hard for any child at any age. Most invite the whole class, those who are in school anyway, and no one shows up or only one person shows.

I spend 100's of dollars and 1000's of hours planning and getting everything ready for my son's birthday to have only my business partner and her children show up. Well this is not only hard on the child but it sucks a parent to see your child have to go through that. Not even family shows up for his party.

I noticed a lot of homeschool parents have this problem too as we do not have an entire class to invite and if you do not have a large extended family or friends group well then you have wasted time, money and your child's heart and not understanding why no one wants to come to their awesome party.

When I was a child we went to EVERYONES birthday and everyone came to ours, there was never a worry about if someone was going to show up or not. I was taught from a young age you are lucky enough to be invited to someones party you are going period. And our parents didn't throw elaborate parties, there were games, hot dogs (pizza if you were lucky), prizes, cake, presents and playing. The parties I throw today would be considered weddings with the amount of time, money and work that goes into them.

I spoke to other parents in the home school group and they have the same problem when they do not have large families or friend groups. They all do trips and things like so this year I have decided to do just that, we are doing a big trip to legoland!!! instead of having a party that no one comes too.

We will still do our tradition of East Side Mario's which we have done every year since his first birthday that is just us and a great time. 

With that brought to light though it has given me the ability to see that this is a sad problem for many in the homeschool group, so with that said I decided that if parents are hosting a party for their child and they are wanting to have kids actually attend to post the party in our homeschool group and invite everyone to join them in that age range so they have friends to play with. Who knows life long connects might be made at one of those parties.

A child should never have to ask why friends and family don't attend his parties, or feel lonely on their on birthday. So no more!!! Do I care what family says? Nope. My business partner has already said she will go with us so the only one who comes will be there anyway so that is all that matters.

Everyone deserves to feel special and loved on their birthday!!!!