Thursday nights were family nights at my house. No phone calls. Card table set up in the living room. We played board games. Chinese checkers and aggravation stand out in my mind, but we played tons of games. Saturday nights when i was in high school, we played spades. On Christmas eve we went to my grandma's for dinner (always a pot of chili, and a pot of corn chowder), then we had to wait for the dishes to be washed, and after, we got to open presents. In the summer, my mom put together a back to school party for the neighborhood kids. We listened to the Beach Boys, played volleyball or badminton, and ate cookies and watermelon. Now I'm missing those days and my family! :) when i was really little, if we got sick, my mom would make a fort under the kitchen table. We used a step stool for a desk to color on. She put a sheet over the table and a humidifier under the table with us. We thought sick days were awesome.
On our birthdays (i have two sisters) either my dad would take the birthday girl out on a date at the restaurant of her choice, or we'd get to plan the dinner menu. My big sister chose fondue one time. We dressed up fancy for it.
This past valentine's, i wanted to spend it with my husband and kids instead of just my husband. My 9 year old made decorations. We planned a fancy dinner, set the table, lit candles, and dressed up. Then we made little paper books for each family member, and we each took turns writing our favorite things about that person in their book. One of my new favorites.
Have fun with your littles. They grow up so fast! Even the things you think may not be a big deal- they may remember as super special.