2. Phrase that could describe my youngest, Ben. He wants to grow up and move on from the drudgery of school, but I don't think he gets the whole "pay your own way/clean your own house" concept. :)
3. The name I've given the giveaway of crafty stuff pictured below!
April 30 is when Ben turns the BIG 13! To celebrate my sweetheart of a son, I'd like to give all this goodness away—13 fresh new products and a bonus collection of items from my stash that I think you might want to try.
I put in some Bingo numbers, Tim Holtz washi tape that I don't use, journaling cards, flare and Polaroid die-cuts from Studio Calico, wooden word tiles from Melody Ross, paper straws and more!
The brand-new items are mini alphies from Crate Paper, blue twine from Webster's Pages, Basic Grey items from Fact & Fiction (a 6x6 paper pad, journaling cards and transparencies, printed chipboard album, fabric labels, printed wooden buttons and more), some Martha Stewart congratulations-printed ribbon and of course some glittery White Blossom stickers and a crystal rainbow sticker from Mark Richards. Whew! That's not all, but this is getting too long. Click on the picture to see more.
To enter, all ya gotta do is leave Ben a comment below by April 30th*. I think he'd enjoy hearing Happy Birthday from around the country and world. If you have a fave quote, add that in, if you have advice for being a teenager, go ahead and put that in your comment. If you just wanna say Happy Birthday or Hi from your state/country, that's cool too! Ben is in 7th grade, likes the Avengers, writing comics, Team Fortress 2, Dr. Who, and Harry Potter. He has a big heart and still gives me hugs in front of his classmates. He wants to be an actor or comedian when he grows up and he is, in fact, kind of hilarious.
Thanks for helping me celebrate my youngest, who is nearly as tall as me and cannot wait to be taller. Here are my beautiful kids last weekend in a phone pic.
Chark
*please comment by April 30th at midnight EST to qualify for the giveaway. If you're from out of the country, I will substitute a gift certificate to a crafty place as the prize due to shipping costs, thanks!
Happy birthday, Ben!!! You are almost the same age as my oldest son. He will be 13 in June! As I tell my son "soon I will be able to call you a teeny bopper" Enjoy you day and take it all in stride!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Ben! From New Braunfels, Tx. My advice to a teenager would be to listen less to the world and more to you dreams. (And your parents.)
ReplyDeleteI think I have Ben's twin, only she is a 17 yr old girl. She loves The Avengers( we are counting the days to The Iron Man 3 movie) Dr Who and Harry Potter. She loves to draw and one day wants to work for Pixar. She has the talent. Kelly is also in a hurry and would love to be in art school already.
of course, we're awaiting Iron Man as well...and so is my 18 year old daughter. Peas in a pod, these kids! Good luck with art school!!
DeleteHey Ben Happy 13th B. Day. I have a son who has many of the same interests as you and he's 23 now. Never give up on your dreams and stay true to who you are inside and you will always be as happy as you are now.
ReplyDeleteSo now you will be a teenager, Ben. Hope that you'll have a happy birthday followed by many, many more. These birthday wishes are coming to you from NW Louisiana.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Ben! My only advice, enjoy life, read a lot, and love your mama!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Ben....13 is a good age, make sure you enjoy it. My boys are older now, living on their own and often comment how nice it was to have mom around to do all the things they don't like doing...lol. Celebrate your birthday...Celebrate being you....right now, this moment....being young and carefree only comes once in a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteHappy 13th Birthday Ben. Hope you have a great day.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Ben from Michigan. Everyday be true to yourself and true to how your parents raised you.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Ben! Just take life one day at a time and enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday from eastern Washington State, Ben! My grandson will also be turning 13 in June! Hope you enjoy every day of your teen-age years, and don't try to grow up too fast! You'll only have a short time to be a teen-ager and a lo-o-ong time to be a grown-up!LOL! ~Bev~
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very Happy Birthday, Ben! Welcome to your teens! Hollywood needs a teen comedian, so hone those skills! All the best from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday - I'm sure it seems like it's taking forever for your your birthday to come around, but it will be here SOON!
ReplyDeleteSending you wishes from Sacramento, CA.
Birthday wishes from the State of Maine, home of blueberries, lobster and Stephen King! I bave raised 3 boys and can tell you that 13 is a challenging age, remember that is still OK to be a kid!
ReplyDeleteBirthday wishes from the State of Maine, home of blueberries, lobster and Stephen King! I bave raised 3 boys and can tell you that 13 is a challenging age, remember that is still OK to be a kid!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday from Alabama!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday greetings to you Ben from Saskatchewan, Canada! I'm a middle school teacher and I love working with kids your age. My words of advice as you enter the teenage years - don't ever forget who you really are, no matter what you hear and see around you. Let your moral compass guide you, even when it's really hard. Because when you're older, you'll be so proud that you did. :)
ReplyDeleteHappiest of birthdays Ben!!! Don't grow up too fast!! Have fun being a teenager. They really are some fun years. Definitely would love to hear your stand-up comedy. My hubby and I love Jeff Dunham. Look him up! (With Mom's permission of course!)
ReplyDeleteLucky 13!! Happy Birthday, Ben... all the way from Germantown, MD.
ReplyDeleteHere are three life tips: 1. Recognize that your parents are just people…. And they love you more than anyone on earth.
2. Don’t get all bunched up over what you think people are thinking about you. Besides your parents, no one is thinking about you for more than a few seconds anyway. They’re too busy worrying about what YOU think of them.
3. Listen when people talk. Don’t interrupt. Don’t think of what you’re going to say next. Just pay attention. People appreciate a good listener and you just might learn something.
Wishing you all the best!
Happy Birthday. Thirteen years ago, your parents were blessed with a wonderful son, how lucky for them but also how lucky for you. Always remember, they love even when the times between you and them seem to be at there worse. Being a teen is not easy for any of you but with understanding and give and take from all of you, it will be a fantastic time in your life. My only advice...don't try to grow up too quickly. Cherish and enjoy being a kid and never let anybody talk you into doing anything that you don't feel comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteI have two grown daughters and they always say if they could go back in time, they'd want to be 13 again. Hope you have a fantastic day and lots of cake.
Sande
Cape May, NJ
you can leave me out of the draw but happy birthday to ben from ann arbor, michigan!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Ben! From Los Angeles (Northridge), CA. My YDS is a Ben, too. He turns 17 this year. My quote for you comes from Dr. Seuss: "Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!" Always be yourself -- don't let anybody talk you into being something else.
ReplyDeleteAndrea (Ladyofthelake)
"Maligayang Kaarawan Ben" that's how we say "Happy Birthday Ben" in Tagalog(first language in Philippines)Feel good eh? (that's Canadian influence, LOL)
ReplyDeleteHappy 13th Birthdy Ben. Enjoy your special day...it only comes once in a lifetime!!!
ReplyDeleteBen, you are about to enter the awesome and adventurous years of being a teenager! Congratulations on reaching this milestone!
ReplyDeletewww.mel-designs.typepad.com
Ben, A very Happy 13th Birthday, wishes coming from Illinois. I juat want to say you will only be 13 once, enjoy every moment, always be kind and obey your parents, they will always be special and are looking out for your best interests. Most of all have fun being 13!!!
ReplyDeleteCharlene, you are very special to have this lovely and very generous giveaway! May you be blessed:-)
Hugs
Kailash
Happy 13th Birthday, Ben! Wishing you a fun year with more fun birthday to come!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Ben! 13 years old - man - you are growing up fast! I love that picture of you that your mom posted. I think being a comedian is a cool choice for a profession - I wish you luck! My son - he is twelve has similar aspirations - maybe you guys should get together one day... I am sending you my wishes from New Jersey. You are lucky - your mom is a very wonderful and generous person!
ReplyDeleteHappy 13 Ben!! Here's some advice for growing older, go to College, study and do your best and don't forget to have a lot of fun. Always laugh, it's the best thing for you :)
ReplyDeleteHappy 13th birthday, Ben! You are officially a TEENAGER now! I bet your Mom and Dad love everything about teenagers---Yes!!? :) Wish you a great year ahead and I hope all your dreams come true!! AND I hope to see your making into SNL some day, wouldn't that be cool!! Birthday Greetings from Canada
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Birthday, Ben - becoming a teenager..what a milestone!
ReplyDeleteYou have such happy and beautiful children, Chark!
ReplyDeleteHi Ben,
I hope this birthday is your best one yet! I'm sending you my best wishes along with a quote from Dr. Seuss (from his book titled, Happy Birthday to You!):“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
As long as you are always true to yourself, you will be happy! Have a fun time on your birthday!!!
Barb, from New Jersey USA!
Happy birthday, Ben, from a friend in Moscow, Russia! May you feel loved and pampered on you the 13th birthday!
ReplyDeleteWishing Ben a very Happy 13th Birthday from Australia, hope he has a fantastic day.
ReplyDeleteH@ppy Birthd@y Ben! Don't give up on chasing your dreams! Doing what you love and listening to the advice those who love you most is a good combo to success in high school!
ReplyDeleteHi Chark, I came over from the HA Flikr group. Enjoyed checking out your blog and getting to know more about you. I think I need a blog too! Maybe someday...Thanks for your willingness to share your work and your crafty stuff :)
Happy Birthday from Florida, Ben!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful 13th birthday :D
Hi everybody! It's Ben here, and I just want to thank you all for the gracious Birthday greetings from you guys! It means a lot to me, especially those from so far away. I am having a good time and got some Doctor Who stuff, including the complete fifth series with the 11th Doctor! I am very excited about this and thank you all once more for being so kind!
ReplyDeleteI am also thinking about a winner right now....
DeleteHappy Birthday Ben!! Hope you enjoy a great day with your friends and family. And keep giving those hugs to your mom!! Mom's never get tired of hugs!
ReplyDeleteLots of well wishes from Seattle Washington!
Hey Ben... please tell your mom thanks for the wonderful prizes! Hope you had an awesome day. :)
ReplyDelete