I have spent the last week celebrating life! My twins, Eden and Xen, turned nine on Monday.
This time of year I am extra grateful to be here because I am reminded of when they turned 6 and I had just found a lump in my breast. I didn’t know what was ahead or if I would see another one of my children’s birthdays and I remembered being so scared. Then there was turning 7 when I was nearing the end of radiation treatment and being hopeful that treatment had worked. Then there was turning 8 and being clear of cancer and thankful.
Now here we are at 9, and boy did we celebrate! Thankful for another year, another day, to celebrate. From birthday parties to visits from elves and surprise meetups with friends, this week has been non-stop partying! Although we had a big party at the local trampoline/indoor playground, I noticed that my kids really liked all the little things I did just as much so I thought I would share 15 ways to celebrate your child’s birthday.
- Tell your child a story of the day they were born. I did this at bedtime with my children separately the night before their birthday and they couldn’t get enough. It was such a magical moment we shared and brought us closer together.
- Pull out the baby box. If your child is a bit older, looking at tiny baby clothes, old cards, and those first drawings can be a lot of fun.
- Put a handwritten birthday note in their lunchbox. You could also put it in their book bag, pocket or a place they will find it when they arise.
- Let the birthday child call the shots for the day.
- Have the Happy Birthday song blasting in your car when you pick them up from school. I have to say my two thought this was hilarious.
- Fill your child’s room with birthday balloons while they are asleep.
- Have a birthday countdown. My two love birthdays and started their countdown on day 70.
- Celebrate a birthday week. Extend the celebration and have surprises and different birthday activities for the entire week of your child’s birthday.
- Eat cake and ice cream for breakfast.
- Decorate your car with a birthday message.
- Have a special birthday shirt for your child to wear. Or if they are like my daughter, perhaps they prefer a birthday sash or tiara.
- Make it a tradition to measure their height on their birthday. We love to look and see how much they have grown since their last birthday.
- Hide a present and give your child clues.
- Have the Elves come for a birthday surprise. If your family has an elf on the shelf have them get special permission to come back and celebrate your child’s birthday. This was the biggest hit in our house this year.
- Meet friends at a park or ice cream parlor.
