How to insert a dropdown box of dates

I am trying to insert a drop down list of dates. So when you click on the drop-down box, perhaps a calendar opens up and allows you to scroll through the calendar until you find the date you want. I found something very similar to this in what I think was the ActiveX controls, however it cannot perform all of the things I would like.

I have attached a sample worksheet to help explain. Right now, in Cells B7:B14 are drop-down lists, and as you can see, allows you to choose a date from the calendar. What I dont like, is the following:
1. There is always a date in the cell. I would like it to remain blank at first, and also if you hit the delete button.
2. It is difficult to center in the cell. I know you can change the properties of it to move and position with cells, however it is still difficult to move, and doesnt stay centered in the cell if the column width or row height is changed.
3. I would like to be able to set parameter on the dates, such as not allowing a date earlier than todays date to be entered (just an example)

Before I came up with this, I was using data validation for dates. However, I like the idea of the user being able to choose a date from the calendar in the drop-down list. Are any of these requests possible? Any takers on this one? I cant seem to figure it out.

Thanks

Yes Roy that is certainly easier to control than the ActiveX control. However, the problem here is that the users of this spreadsheet are not that computer/excel literate. With that being said, I would like to create something of that nature that is already inside of each cell. Now maybe there is with website link you showed me and I may have just missed it, however some of those links I was unable to access because of restrictions on the web here at my workplace.

With all of that being said, is there a way to insert something like that datepicker into certain cells? Without having to rightclick on the cell to find the datepicker