Go jump in a puddle

[CTReptileRescue]

No, really it's so much fun.
Hi guys and gals, with the time I've had off we've been having some fun (when I was working I hardly saw my son Griffin at all) So I thought I would share to the folks who have known us for a while on how he is doing....
As many of you know we run Rusty Reptiles, which is a large rescue directed at all reptiles, amphibians and arachnids. Griffin has grown up with all these animals and will probably be running the rescue after we've gone. I wanted to share that Griffin has become so helpfull this past year. One of his jobs includes feeding the turtles and helping me fix the dishes of fruits and veggies for the iguanas, tegus, Blue Tongue skinks, Tortoises and many more. He is always very helpfull and I started thinking about that the other day. I realised that he has given up alot in his life. Some of you know the history with his biological mom and I don't need to get into it here, but I realised that he makes huge sacrifices for what me and Winslow do. He doesn't get the cool video games or wheels in his sneakers (man those are cool!), or even the best toys. He actually saves the money he does get through chores and grandparents and always tries to help us out if we have any emergency cases. (of course we don't let him pay we just ask him to keep saving up)He helps us keep track of the rehabbed turtles and even the release of them. I suddenly feel like one of those parents who puts their kid on a pedastool and believe me that's not my intent (plus he can definatly have his bad days like all of us can).
Anywho I was thinking about all this because his 7th birthday is coming up on June 28th. He never asks for much and I want to do something really special for him. So far we have a mom, dad and Griffin party planned, an extended party planned with grandparents etc. But I want to do something that he'll never forget.
So I'm writing to you guys for ideas. As you know we have very limited money if at all so it has to be cheap or free, maybe something I can try and make (which if you ask Win is a very scary thing..lol) I was also thinking of bringing him out to a rope swing that him and his daddy went off for his 6th birthday.
Well the other point of this was to post some pics (he has grown quite a bit).
Winslow's dad Randy took him out to Hartford where the Nina was and he was able to go on it and explore. I beleive it is in the background of one of the following pictures.
Most of the shots are of him doing one of his favorite things....
Jumping in the puddles!






Well thanks for letting me exploit the poor kid, any ideas for birthday treats would be extremely appreciated!
Thanks all,
Rusty

[Smulkin]

What a great kid! Awesome shots too.

The obvious first choice that begs to be suggested - a super soaker! But that lacks the bang and punch of a gift more on the level of what he deserves. I'll have to mull that over a bit yet - but did want to hop in right now before I can offer a real suggestion and give you guys kudos again for all you do as a parent and of course your collective family efforts in your rescue endeavors!

Heroic hats off!

[kavmon]

does he like to go fishing? i spent hours and hours with my dad fishing. alot of quality time and good memories there.



vaughn

[JLC]

Rusty, those are beautiful pictures! Make me all misty-eyed!!


It's obvious to me that you and Win are awesome parents and are already giving Griffin a more memorable childhood than most children ever get. I can certainly understand the desire to make a birthday celebration that attempts to reflect the depth of your love and appreciation for him, though. Like Matt just said, I'll have to reflect on that and get back to you with ideas. It will be a joy to consider!

[frankykeno]

Hmmm just some ideas off the top of my head....

1. A memory box...like his own treasure chest...go dig around junk stores and find a really cool box like a pirate or something would have used (or make it look that way)...then he's got somewhere to put all his wordly treasures...I know all my kids loved to squirrel away stuff in special boxes at that age. Start him off with a shiney silver dollar and some special memory things you might have for him.

2. Atta Boy! or Great Kid! coupons...print those up on your computer. We used to do this for mom and dad when we didn't have a lot of cash so why not for a kid. Coupons could be "rent a movie of your choice", "popcorn and pop", "roll is mud and nobody tells you not to get dirty", "stay up REALLY REALLY late", "you pick homemade pizza night"...that sort of cool stuff that little kids would like (bonus is he can squirrel them away in the above box LOL).

3. If he's into cool crafts there are literally tons of places online to find out how to make your own goop and slime and all sorts of funky kid stuff. Just like the expensive store bought stuff but way more cost effective. One thing I did for my crafty kids was to buy a big cheap plastic box at Wally World and fill it with this and that, way more fun and way cheaper than the pre-made craft supply boxes (include lots of stickers so they can decorate their own craft box)

4. We do this with our own kids...on their birthday they get to pick every meal all day long. We have to eat whatever they choose that I can make at home. It's fun to see what they choose and they like being in charge of the kitchen for their special day.

Just remember Rusty, it is never the price ticket on a gift that kids really remember. It's the joy of being loved and being special, especially on their birthdays. Remember back to your own childhood...I know what sticks in my mind is the family times and love, not what I got present-wise on this or that birthday or Christmas. I know as a parent, and one that's been tight on cash a time or two, we want to give them the world...we just haven't figured out that the world in right there in our own hearts and hands.

[alexrls]

the only thing i can add is that coming from a home were money is always an issue (especially cause whenever we wanna go anywhere with 10 people the costs can fly thru the roof) while i always wanted to be aware of what we could or couldnt afford i usually didnt want to know that we were "only do this cause it's free".

that said there were always places we found we could go for free or cheap asa group (like a science center or planetarium) because very often these places will have a deal that says like if u come before 10:00 AM it's free admission. keep a look out for deals like that.

[CTReptileRescue]

Thanks everyone,. Jo you (and everyone) have given me lots of good ideas.
I did think about bringing him around to some of our museums and aquariums but we do go alot because of the rescue. I may check out the Science Center of CT cause they let us in for free and maybe they have something cool going on...
Keep em' coming guys
Rusty
PS thanks for everyone's nice words!

[frankykeno]

Oh I forgot to say...what a cute kid! LOL

Oh another goofy idea but one that my kids always loved around that age....have a goofy hair day! Color his hair (and everyone else's if he wants) with koolaid. It's tons of fun, messy as heck but hey it all washes out. Go for stripes, blotches and anything else the little fella thinks is hilarious.

We just took Mikey to the Toledo Art Museum, which is free. I really didn't think a little kid would be that interested but he had a riot! Lots of stuff he couldn't touch but since he's big into pirates right now we pretended some of it was stolen pirate loot from long ago. He was waaaaaaaaaaaay impressed LOL.

[Smulkin]

How feasible would it be to maybe shoot for a treehouse or fort of some sort? Depending on the availability of cheap supplies and of course if you have the outdoor space even just something as simple as large wooden appliance boxes (don't know if they make them anymore but I've seen sizeable jetski boxes at he boathouse) could be turned into something. Either as a group effort or as an ongoing family or father/son type project all kinds of goodness in the mix there. When I was a kid I had a friend whose dad had turned a big refirgerator crate (dont think they ship em liek that anymore though lol) into a fort by nailing some roofing tile on the top and sawing out a door and some windows. As simple as that was to a young kid that thing was endless fun and I envied him for having it.

[frankykeno]

Oh wow excellent idea Matt! Boys that age will just about kill for a fort (especially if they can put up a "No Stinky Girls Allowed" sign on it LOL). Maybe the store bought gift could be a little tool set and a bag of nails, etc. for him to help build his fort and you can find all sorts of scrap wood/carpet/etc. around usually (btw fishing boxes make excellent and cheap toolboxes for little fella's).