As James' third birthday nears, I'm thinking about starting birthday traditions- cooking a favorite meal, sharing a candle-adorned cake with the grandparents, opening gifts. Are there certain birthday traditions that meant a lot to you as a child? What do you do to make your kids' birthdays special? This year we aren't having a big party, insteadbut we are going to have cake and ice cream with close family. I don't want James to grow up focusing only on receiving gifts on his special day, but instead anticipating a whole host of things Mama and Daddy to to make him feel one-of-a-kind. What are your thoughts?
It's hard to believe that the little man who was once this:
Is now this:
I wish I could go back in time and relive those first days and months again. Experience it all with the clarity that I now have and enjoy those snuggles that I thought would never end. When I think about that time, I'm sad because I know I won't be able to experience that time with him again. I didn't realize that time could pass so quickly and in three short years the little baby I held would be a little boy who runs so quickly that I'd never catch up. That he'd be putting his own shoes on his feet, screeching when he couldn't get a booger off his finger quick enough, singing entire songs and then again in jibberish. He's hilarious and adorable and certainly has to be the best thing this universe has ever held.
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It's likely I won't be posting here for the next week, as I have jury duty (ugh.), birthdays, baby showers, and family visiting. But when I return mid-July, I'll be getting the contest entries posted so you can all vote on the winners. Can you bring your knitting to jury duty???
When we were little - and even older - our birthdays were only with our family (Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters) and at least one set of grandparents and a favorite aunt who lived close by. Birthdays were family things for us and they were fun and memorable. Wasn't until I turned 16 that a friend of mine gave me a surprise party.
Re- knitting during jury duty: I do know they scan your purse when you enter govt. buildings. The yarn would make it - they might question the needles :-) but if you explained that you want to knit instead of read a book. I know people take books to read during the breaks. You could always call ahead and ask. But it would be a good way to pass the time. OH - in case they sequester you - bring a small travel toothpaste and toothbrush and travel size products. My sister was kept overnight and she was very popular as she brought those things and the local motel did not provide toothpaste and shampoo. Hope you can bring your knitting!
Posted by: Diane | July 07, 2010 at 03:17 PM
THREE?!? How could James be three already? Re knitting and jury duty, I'm guessing it is okay (if you make it past the scanners), but if you get picked to actually be on a jury, you might want to clear knitting during the trial with the judge. Re birthday traditions, somehow birthday PIE has become our birthday tradition, specifically rhubarb-strawberry. I surprised my 30-year-old son with one this year - he was not expecting it!
Posted by: Abby | July 07, 2010 at 03:48 PM
I come from a large family with 8 children, and our birthday was celebrated by the birthday kid being allowed to pick what we had. Of course, lobster being MY favorite, we always had steak instead, since that was much more affordable for a crowd. Mom and Dad would take me once in a while to get lobster separately, usually at the officers' club.
And of course your favorite cake, too. Mine was angel food cake with chocolate whipped cream frosting! Yum!
I do not remember ever having a birthday party with my friends. I don't think the younger ones did, either.
Congrats on your gorgeous guy! Certainly the best little guy ever!
Knitting is not generally allowed during a trial. Sometimes allowed while you wait to see if you are allowed onto a jury, depending on your courthouse's rules. No scissors, though!
Posted by: Jan | July 07, 2010 at 04:08 PM
I have one brother and the b'day child got to pick what they wanted for dinner. The non-b'day child also got a little present too so they didn't feel left out. It was usually just an immediate family celebration except when we were under 5, then we had a party with cousins and aunts and uncles.
Posted by: Barbara | July 07, 2010 at 04:22 PM
Madame Defarge????
My daughter - now 20 - is taken out to dinner at whatever restaurant she would like and can order whatever she wants. I usually suggest 3 or 4 different restaurants that I think she would like. On alternating years she can invite a friend along. It's worked so far and I think she enjoys it.... she's typically asking way ahead of time for the names of restaurants.
Ok Madame....Here in Texas I once read an article where a woman was asked to leave the building for knitting while she was waiting for jury duty. They felt that the needles could be used as a weapon and so were not allowed in the building.
Posted by: Joanne | July 07, 2010 at 05:10 PM
When I was a child, my mother would cook our favorite meal for the family on the Sunday closest to our birthday & she'd make a cake. When my girls were little, I established the tradition of a family dinner at the restaurant of their choosing (in addition to a kids' party if they really wanted one). My daughter has continued the tradition in her family - with the exception. She was in Ikea on Nov 12 2006 when her water broke (she was already schedule for a c-section on Nov 17). The employees were so amazing - they made what could have been an embarrassing experience a warm memory. So every Nov 12th, they take the kids to Ikea for meatballs.
Posted by: mwknitter | July 07, 2010 at 05:19 PM
Great photos. I have always loved how you try to make family memories. That's so special. On to Jury Duty - knitting does make the eternity of sitting in the assembly room pass more quickly. But the guards did take away my scissors. I had one of those round thread cutters and so was fine. Worked on a sock, of course. Good luck!
Posted by: Caroline | July 07, 2010 at 09:02 PM
Ahh...I have jury duty next week too. :(
Birthdays.... I would always make their bed on their birthday. Also, I would crank up the stereo (yes, it was a record) and blast the Beatles singing...da, da, da, da, da, da, they say it's your birthday!!! One good round of that song and everyone feels happy!!! I did not do parties every year - about every 5th year because I wanted them to appreciate the party, not expect it. Enjoy!!!
Posted by: Renee' | July 07, 2010 at 09:30 PM
PS... James is an absolute doll!!!
Posted by: Renee' | July 07, 2010 at 09:34 PM
What a beautiful boy he is!!!! I love my boys so much too, and can't believe how time flies :D
p.s. We aren't allowed to bring knitting to jury duty here - no needles allowed as they can be used as weapons, I guess :} LOL!!!!
Posted by: MARYLU | July 07, 2010 at 11:10 PM
It is amazing how quickly they grow. I can't believe he is turning three!!!! We don't do big birthday celebrations here either, but I acknowledge the day by bringing out their baby pics and reliving their day of birth to them. My son who is 11 doesn't find it as interesting anymore, but my 8 y/o dd still does!!!
There is something to be said abt grandchildren. You are alert enough to really enjoy them. When you are the parent (esp the mom) it's hard to truly enjoy them when you are sleep deprived! And it sounds like a 2nd child may be needed!!! LOL
Posted by: Lynn | July 08, 2010 at 01:26 AM
No knitting at jury duty! They had to lock mine up when I brought it to the courthouse.
Congrats on your son's 3rd bday. It is amazing how quickly they grow. Hug him everyday and adorn him with kisses.
Nicky
Posted by: Nicky | July 08, 2010 at 03:11 AM
We always made a special dinner for our girl's birthday. Jacci's favorite cake was strawberry. Rae Lynn's was yellow with chocolate icing. We made them feel special on their day.
"Happy Birthday James!!"
Posted by: SusanB-knits | July 08, 2010 at 09:02 AM
These are awesome suggestions- definitely a special dinner and cake-of-choice are faves. Keep the ideas coming!
Turns out court was cancelled, so no duty for me! Hurray! Not that I don't want to participate, but this is just NOT a good time... burthdays showers, family, work... seems to be piling up.
Posted by: Allison | July 08, 2010 at 10:27 AM
I've been called for jury duty several times & only been impaneled about half the times & only served on a jury twice. I think you could have gotten an exemption anyway. In Illinois at any rate, the mothers of preschoolers are exempt. Probably at least in part because of the possibility of being sequestered. It happened to me once when my girls were about 6 & 9. The babysitter kept them overnight but was NOT happy about it. Had I known that they always sequester the jury during deliberations in murder cases (it wasn't even a capital case), I would have asked to be excused.
Posted by: mwknitter | July 08, 2010 at 05:00 PM
My girls always get to pick out the cake, colors of icing, flowers and what the words say....some of their combinations have been quite memorable...like chocolate cake, chocolate icing, fudge roses and bright red icing words saying "Happy 5th Birthday!" They always look forward to choosing EXACTLY what kind of cake they get :)
Posted by: April | July 09, 2010 at 09:52 PM
Our biggest treat on birthdays was to write the menu for the meal. Whether it was fried chicken or hamburgers it was always great because it was the one time you got to pick everything.
Posted by: blogless grace | July 09, 2010 at 11:46 PM
As a kid I always got to choose what I wanted for my birthday meal, and exactly what kind of birthday cake I'd have and how it was decorated. I kept the tradition for my son and stepson. My stepson now keeps the tradition with his daughter,
Posted by: Versailles-rose | July 12, 2010 at 10:49 PM
My work schedule allows me to plan a trip from Georgia to CT around both my niece and nephew's birthdays. I take the family out to lunch and the birthday child gets to pick where we go. As for parties, my sister started an awesome tradition for her kids--they get presents from the family but for the party with their friends, the invitations ask that food be brought for donation to the local food pantry, instead of (more) gifts for the kids.
Posted by: Michele | July 15, 2010 at 03:08 AM
"When I think about that time, I'm sad because I know I won't be able to experience that time with him again"
Please remember..you made an impact on him as well as on yourself. Enjoy and cherish every moment, but never feel sad about wanting to experience them with him again. As your son gets older there will be new experiences, new wonders and new ways to always be a part and involved in his life. I have a 16 year old son, and a 20 year old daughter, and the fun never ends. Cooking and color scheming and museums...life has just begun, and the road with experiences is wide open! PS I get lots of hugs from my son. Whenever he wants something, he puts his arm across my shoulders and starts "Buddy....."
Posted by: Michele | July 17, 2010 at 08:12 PM
Go back to the posts from when James was first born and read them. Remember what many of us told you would happen. Trust those of us who have been down the road you are currently traveling and...step where we have stepped. The road forward will be much easier if you do.
When James is 6, read these posts and....remember what we told you today.
bjr
Posted by: Barb R | July 31, 2010 at 07:45 PM