The Birthday Festival

Getting even fancier
Originally uploaded by kristn1284

About the turn of the century I met a kindred spirit named Amy. We quickly went from work associates to sisters largely due to one common trait, we loved birthdays. Whereas I always concentrated on one big celebration on the day Amy had a whole weeks worth of activities planned every year………The Birthday Festival. As with any organized event there are rules to the Birthday Festival.

1. The Festival will commence the Saturday prior to the actual Birthday, and closing ceremonies will occur the Saturday after. Unless of course the Birthday falls on a Saturday, then that year is special and the Festival will last 2 weeks, beginning the Saturday before and ending the Saturday after.

2. No work shall be done during the Festival, which is what vacation days are for.

3. A tiara must be worn during this time.

I recall fondly the year I took a week of my life off to fly West and celebrate Amy’s 40th Birthday festival. It was special for so many reasons and I returned home with a determination to have my own Birthday Festival every year. However, life happens, children are born, and when you are not surrounded by other people that want to indulge you in a weeks worth of Birthday activities these things get swept to the side.

This past Friday my Sister-in-law Charlotte called and asked if her & Frank could come in for the day Saturday to see the kids. Since this is a 5 hour drive we do not see them very often and quickly invited the rest of the family over too for a visit. This visit turned into an impromptu Birthday Party for Annabelle as her 2nd Birthday is this Wednesday. She received several gifts that she loved including a Pink feather trimmed cape from Aunt Kathy, to go along with the rest of her “fancy” clothes. As soon as it was donned, she found her tiara, sunglasses, and gloves. She was the ultimate Diva. As she was basking in the glow of being the center of attention my Mom said “we have a whole week of this”. A light bulb went off in my head as I started going down the checklist.

1. This was the Saturday before her Birthday; we had several activities planned for the week including Library with Nana, lunch with Aunt Karen, dinner with her Godparents, a Minnie Mouse party with her play date friends to be wound up with dinner with her cousins next Saturday, who by her request are bringing her Strawberry Cheesecake. She has both opening and closing ceremonies on bookend Saturdays.

2. She will not be working; we don’t even have any Dr. appointments or anything she “has” to do.

3. She will be wearing a tiara.

With a swell of pride I realized my daughter is having her very own Birthday Festival, even without having it explained to her she is having a Festival. Aunt Amy will be so proud.