Last weekend we celebrated David’s half birthday. Seven AND A HALF years old, this one.
Seven and a half years is also how long it took me to come up with the tradition of putting a few pieces of birthday cake in the freezer a la the first anniversary wedding cake tradition. The white chocolate morsels had absorbed the florescent green dye, but aside from that they were great. When I served them David was really excited, “I remember these!”
Freezing cake, I think, will become our tradition (when there’s leftover cake to save, that is). It’s easier than making a half-cake or any other treat.
When I say we “celebrated” I mean it in the simplest sense of the word. We sing “Happy half birthday to you” and thawed cupcakes and that was the extent of the celebration.
Perhaps even that sounds over the top to you. After all, a half birthday is sort of a made up milestone.
(Maybe this would be a good time to tell you that my half birthday is coming up. February 29, canyoubelieveit.)
If you had asked me before I had kids, if I would do something as frivolous as celebrate half-birthdays with my kids, I might have laughed at you.
I imagined myself to be a mom whose foundation was minimalism. I would raise kids who savored the rare treat and appreciated seasonal produce. My children wouldn’t be able to identify a Happy Meal or Starbucks cake pop. My children would not ask for toys at Target or snacks at the grocery store because they would understand the value of restraint and contentment.
I’ll give you a moment to stop laughing because HAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA, I’m the exact opposite. I love celebrating, surprises, delighting my kids with after-school treats and unexpected stops somewhere fun. This comes in all shapes and sizes, most are not planned out or Pinterest-worthy. Sometimes it’s just because I want to go to Starbucks, so I veil it as a treat for everyone. That’s a privilege I’m claiming as a mom.
That’s the spirit with which we celebrate half birthdays. It’s not a required celebration, it’s a why not celebration. Why not eat cupcakes at lunch once in a while? Why not gather around the table and sing? And mostly, why not take every opportunity to make your kid feel special?
As long as there are people to celebrate with, there is a reason to celebrate.
Have you heard of this book? I think I’d like to be my own version of Mrs. Muddle.
Do you celebrate half birthdays or any other made-up holidays I should know about?
new and funny idea for celebrate .
While not as creative as a Half Birthday, my daughter and I like to celebrate “Movie Pizza Night” – the beauty of it being that we can celebrate it on whatever night (or nights, let’s be honest) that I feel like having pizza. It’s super special for her and a perfect excuse for me. 🙂
I love this! And I agree, why not make our kids feel special for however long we can. You know until they are all, “Mom stop! I’m not a kid anymore.” We don’t do half birthdays here and unfortunately, b-days are just 2 months away for 3 of us but definitely will do this in December! Thanks for the idea, I know they will love the surprise. Marked in my calendar so I don’t forget because, mom brain.
I’ve celebrated half birthdays for my oldest son because his birthday is in the middle of the summer so he would never get to invite classmates. With a half birthday we get to celebrate early with his friends and for his birthday he gets a small gift and cupcakes. Works out great! Cute idea!!
I love celebrations and surprises so and I think that’s a good vibe to carry as mommy. Children loves all the fun and best foods they can get so everyone’s happy. Looks like the boy had an awesome half birthday indeed 🙂
This is genius. I am so glad I read this. I can’t wait to do this for my son’s second birthday!
This is wonderful! I love finding ways to make my kiddos feel special.
Happy Half-Birthday! I used to celebrate my half birthday when I was younger and it’s so much fun!
I like the idea of a half birthday celebration! Waiting a whole year for little ones seems like forever! For them atleast, it goes by too fast for me!
Oh I’ve never heard of half birthdays! We do celebrate a lot of inchstones that are youngest accomplishes versus milestones. He’s developmentally delayed and reaches milestones a lot later then most.
I think this is such a great idea! Just an excuse to have fun and create memories!