Holiday Brain Storm

I've been wanting to post about holidays for a while now. For various reasons (different expectations, small children, etc) holidays seem to be difficult around here but are becoming increasingly important to me as the kids get older and we are becoming our own family. Well, we've been in our apartment for a year now and I thought I'd just start a list of what the holidays are or should be. It's just a start and I'm not explaining, defending, or critiquing myself. And yes, I realize a lot of it revolves around food :)

4th of July:
Popcorn and cookies on the couch watching fireworks out our window, hot dogs and potato salad for lunch, black-cherry soda, slushies or ice-cream, parades, bbq, family movie (going out or renting)

24th of July: family stories/history, parade, activity like swimming

My birthday: cake and a few people over, maybe flowers or balloons, a special dinner (maybe I don't have to cook!)

Halloween: chili and corn bread or stew and biscuits, costumes, donuts or cupcakes and cider, trick or treat or ward party if kids are interested, decorations

Thanksgiving: dinner with MY family- I think the Mr has forfeited his right to any claims several times over on this one!, am willing to have it at my house until someone else decides they want it, doesn't mean I want to be in charge, but am happy to give my space and cook what I am capable of, cute appetizers/place settings, want a pretty table cloth

Christmas: Christmas Eve at Jeff's grandma/mom's family, decorations and tree all month, music/movies/stories all month, cookies, gingerbread house, send cards, fun cereal in the morning, breakfast with Kelsey's that day or another?, visit Jeff's dad sometime, stockings include: coloring book and crayons, gold coins, presents: toy from Santa, books are a must, something special/made from Mom

New Year's Eve: NOT a kid holiday, possibly when they are 10 or 12 and want to stay up I will let them, games with the kids, journal writing, scrapbooks, resolutions, dancing in the kitchen

Valentine's day: exchange cards with Jeff, something cute (cards, candies) for the kids, get the kids to make something/send Valentine's, decorate

Wedding anniversary: dinner out, flowers

Easter: decorating eggs, Spring flowers etc around the house, candies, special small present and Easter baskets with treats, blowing bubbles, new dress/church clothes

Caius' and Rayne's birthday: home made cake, toy and a new outfit, favorite dinner, perhaps family over or an activity, don't believe in friend parties until they are a bit older.

Mother's day and Father's day: kids make something special, a favorite breakfast or dinner

Jeff's birthday: cheesecake or crumb cake, favorite dinner

St Patrick's day: would like to do something fun with green and shamrocks, not a big deal
Memorial day
Labor day