Birthday Season

It’s birthday season at my house. I somehow managed to have three kids with birthdays two weeks apart – August 22, September 13, and September 28. It was completely unplanned. In fact, I was shooting for spring babies each time so I could enjoy a summer maternity leave.

It seems we have a lucky window and were destined to have babies at the end of summer. So, each year, amidst the start of school crazy, I throw in birthday season crazy.

And I love it. If ever there is a day to celebrate, it’s your birthday. The gift of life. The gift of a future. The gift of possibility.

I love a good celebration and I’ve been an over-the-top birthday celebrator since the kids were born. My theory has always been that they’ll have less than 20 birthdays in their entire life that REALLY mean something to them. That are memorable. That are breathtaking. Certainly when they are young, you cannot beat the innocence and thrill of an epic birthday. And then, as they get older, it’s so fun to see glimpses of sheer joy, surprise, and gratitude when you give that perfect gift. Or plan the perfect birthday surprise.

Over the years we typically start the day with breakfast of choice – as long as breakfast of choice can hold candles. Today my son celebrated his 13th birthday. 13! On September 13! What an epic day! He chose chocolate chip pancakes (see above) and bacon and tolerated a robust singing of “Happy Birthday” first thing this morning, with a rousing circle of candles in his pancakes.

I cannot believe he is 13. Everything they say about parenthood is SO true. I knew we would have a Jacob (now known as Jake). He is the only baby we found out the sex in advance. The girls were surprises. After we had Lauren and found out another baby was on the way, Lauren hit the terrible two’s a touch early and I thought, “Dear God, how can I possibly do this??” So, I figured I at least needed to be prepared with boy stuff if baby #2 was going to be a boy. We moved into a new house a month before he arrived, but I was prepared for my little bundle of blue.

I was a bit nervous. I grew up with two sisters and wasn’t sure I knew how to be a great mom to a boy. But of course, you melt the second you see them. In this case, he was in such a hurry to arrive he flew out wrapped up in the umbilical cord – a touch blue. It was a scary moment and I didn’t get to hold him for a bit while he recharged in the heater.

From then on, he has been full speed ahead. Attacking life with passion, creativity, tremendous laughter, and always full of surprises. I love this baby boy, who is somehow 13 – and two heads taller than me – today.

But I digress. I always wanted epic, memorable birthdays for my kids. So we’ve had clowns to the house. Make-up and henna tattoo parties. Indoor sky-diving. Laser tag. Husky football games. Fashion show parties. Massive sleepovers and so much more. And so many wonderful memories. I love a good theme, great friends, ridiculous decorations and all of the disgusting junk food you can eat.

As the kids get older, there is less interest in big birthday parties. As presents get more expensive, there are fewer of them. I miss the days of piles of beloved toys wrapped up with bows – endless Barbie’s, Lego’s, Playmobile, stuffed animals and the memories of youth. I wish I could carry the tradition forward – but instead, we celebrate the incredible people these kids are becoming and the exciting potential of the year ahead. And I will always insist on big celebratory breakfasts to start the day, the perfect gifts, family dinner celebrations, and as much friend fun as they desire.

It also makes me wonder how we can package up this same joy – this same celebration – and apply it to ourselves. We all only get so many birthdays on this earth. And I think they should ALL be epic. If you ever want to celebrate a birthday, I am so there.

Each year is a gift and worthy of celebration. Each year is an opportunity to celebrate every delight and every breath. Each year is an opportunity to realize our strength through every worry and every strife. Each year is an opportunity for us to be surrounded by those we love – and this for sure, is worth celebrating.

So lets not shy away from birthdays. If people who love you want to do something nice for you, let them. And enjoy every single second. Or plan your own amazing celebration. We are all so very lucky to get each and every year. And how marvelous it would be to bring the childhood wonder back to mark each incredible year.