Birthday Week Traditions

When I became a new mom, I couldn't wait to start traditions with you and the rest of our family. My mother always seemed to make holidays, events, and "big news" even more special with her added touch.  When your second birthday rolled around, I knew that there we a few traditions that I wanted to begin, as well as a couple that we would continue from last year.

Since your birthday fell on a Thursday, I decided to start celebrating early Monday morning.  We actually didn't stop until Sunday, but that's just because we've been having so much fun.

Birthday Breakfasts

I love to try creative ideas in the kitchen, so this week was full of yummy (and healthy) birthday breakfasts to start the day off right.  These breakfast ideas aren't anything out of the ordinary and most of the ingredients were found in the cupboards, but presentation is key.  In addition to the food, there was also a little gift next to your plate for you to open.  This is similar to our 5 days until Christmas countdown where you open one small gift each of the five days before Christmas. Our birthday countdown included a book for each day this year.   

A waffle with bananas and blackberries

Pumpkin Bread with sausage, blackberries, and Craisins

Baked oatmeal cups topped with Craisins and sprinkles

Pancakes topped with whipped cream and sprinkles

  

Books that you opened after breakfast!

Places You Love

During this week, we also took a little time to visit a few places that you love. Once you are older, you will get to pick these places (within reason).  You have been really enjoying the outdoors, to celebrate we went to the park to play on the equipment one day and the next on a walk with your little buddy, Pax. Last year we went to Barnes and Noble to play with their train table and that continues to be a favorite, so we headed there the day before you turned 2.  On your actual birthday we went for another long walk to visit Grandma and the library.  Our stops were perfect for you!

 

Special Dinner

Last year we threw your birthday party at a local restaurant in the area.  Since you love their food and we enjoy our meal every time we dine there, we decided to head back for your official birthday dinner. We even got a few pictures outside where your 1st birthday pictures were taken last year!

Handprints

I saw this wonderful idea on Dukes and Duchesses that you can do every year with your little one.  I had a leftover canvas frame and I traced your hand right in the middle.  Once you lifted your hand, I went over it in marker and put the year on the bottom of the palm.  Each year we will trace your hand again and see how much you've grown.

Balloons

Because who doesn't love a house full of balloons?

Birthday Photo Collage

Each year we will add another photo to the collage. Here are pictures from your "birthday" and when you turned one.

Pottery

With all of the running around and party planning that we've done this week, we haven't quite gotten around to this tradition yet. However, we will be heading to the pottery shop very soon so that you can paint your own Christmas ornament for your birthday.  Each year I would love to add another ornament to your collection so that when you grow up (eek!) and move into your own home, you will have a nice bunch of ornaments for your own tree.  I though that decorating your own would be a great way to add to that collection. 

Donate a Book

As your birthday gets closer and closer, I often think about your birthmother.  I think about how proud she would be to know what a wonderful little man you are growing up to be.  I also think about how grateful we are to her for the wonderful gift that she has given us.  Last year we decided to donate a children's book related to adoption in her honor and continue that tradition this year.    

After all of that celebrating, we still had a party coming up!  We had such a lovely time celebrating with the rest of the family, but we'll save those pictures for another day!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, my sweet little man!

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