This file includes Photo Tips, ABC List, Page Ideas and Specific Birthdays.
Also see Adult Birthdays, Musician Birthdays, Racing Birthdays, and Slumber Parties.
See the Jewelry file.
See the Flower file.
(Mike Artell)
Happy birthday to me.
I like what I see!
There's plenty of junk food,
and the presents are free!
Monday's child is fair of face;
Tuesday's child is full of grace;
Wednesday's child is on the go;
Thursday's child is a joy to know.
Friday's child is loving and giving;
Saturday's child takes joy in living;
But the child that is born on the Sabbath day
is merry and blithe and bright and gay.
(alternate version by Colin McNaughton)
Monday's child is red and spotty;
Tuesday's child won't use the potty;
Wednesday's child won't go to bed;
Thursday's child will not be fed.
Friday's child breaks all his toys;
Saturday's child makes an awful noise;
and the child that is born on the seventh day
Is a pain in the neck like the rest . . . OK!
(William Wise)
Jonathan Blake
Ate too much cake,
He isn't himself today;
He's tucked up in bed
With a feverish head,
And he doesn't much care to play.
Jonathan Blake
Ate too much cake,
And three kinds of ice cream too--
From latest reports
He's quite out of sorts,
And I'm sure the reports are true.
I'm sorry to state
That he also ate
Six pickles, a pie and a pear;
In fact I confess
It's a reasonable guess
He ate practically everything there.
Yes, Jonathan Blake
Ate too much cake,
So he's not at his best today;
But there's no need for sorrow--
If you come back tomorrow,
I'm sure he'll be out to play.
Packages (Adelaide Lowe)
Isn't it fun to open packages?
Isn't it fun to guess
What's in them first ? It might be a doll
Or a game or a party dress.
I like them best when they come with ribbons
And bows to be untied.
And pretty seals that you have to tear
Before you can look inside.
(Rose Fyleman)
Everything's been different
All the day long,
Lovely things have happened,
Nothing has gone wrong.
Nobody has scolded me,
Everyone has smiled.
Isn't it delicious
To be a birthday child?
On your birthday
stretch for a sunbeam . . .
Reach for a star . . .
Go for a beautiful dream . . .
Pick out some wishes,
no matter how far,
or how hard to reach
they may seem . . .
Cherish hopes dear to your heart . . .
And as a new year comes in view,
I will add my wishes to yours
that this year they will come true.
They say I'm too young,
to cross the street to play.
That I'm too old to cry,
When I don't get my way.
That I am much to big,
to swing on the garden gate.
But very much too small,
to stay up after eight.
I'm young, I'm old, I'm big, I'm small--
Do you ever think, in age and height,
I will ever grow to be just right?
(Jack Prelutsky)
My birthday's in August
It's really a shame,
My party was small,
Hardly anyone came.
I wish I'd been born
In November or May,
Instead of a time
When my friends go away.
In August there just
Isn't anyone there.
A summertime birthday
Is simply not fair.
My three-year-old daughter had a 'princess' birthday party. For her scrapbook I made a cover page with this: Once upon a time there lived a little princess named . . . . Everyone loved Princess . . . . for she was kind, beautiful, and generous. In the event of little princess . . . . birthday, invitations were sent far and wide to all the royal subjects. Everyone came to partake in the royal festivities, for . . . . was the fairest one of all. (fill the blanks with name and age)
I sent thank you cards that said: My best present was your presence at my birthday party! (Rebecca Moore, Tucson, AZ)
You were six months old and full of fun
With a blink of an eye you were suddenly one.
There were so many things we were going to do,
But I turn my head and you were two.
At two you were still dependent on me,
But independence took over when you were three.
Your third birthday, another year I wished to ignore,
But as I lit the candles there weren't three but four.
Four was the year that you really strived,
Why, look at you now, you're already five.
Now you're ready for books and rules,
This is the year that you go to school.
The big day came you were anxious to go.
We walked to the bus, going oh so slow.
As the bus drove away and you waved good-bye
I felt a lump in my throat and a tear stung my eye.
For when the bus brings you home and you jump to the ground,
You'll be wearing your cap and graduation gown.
Time goes by so fast its hard to believe,
Why just yesterday you were home with me.
So I am holding these moments as hard as I can,
Because the next time I look I'll be seeing a man.
(last verse can be altered for a girl):
So I am holding these moments as close as I dare,
In a twinkling, a woman will be standing there."
I was administering an achievement test to David, a precocious six-year-old, and I began by asking him when his birthday was.
"February 20," was his quick response.
Next I asked him, "What year, David?"
He looked at me quizzically at first and then hit upon the obvious answer. "Every year."
Birthday Photo Taking TipsRemember that a birthday is 24 hours long. Don't just take pictures of the party. Take photos of the child still in bed or pose them by a clock set to their birth time. Take a close-up of the child, guests, favors, decorations and cake. Take photos of making the cake or getting ready. Capture the mood--what is the weather like? Is there a pile of snow boots in the entry or coats on the bed? Get a copy of the guest of honor's signature and vital statistics (height and weight).
Interview the birthday kid--their favorite book, movie, TV program, games, and friends. What do they do in their spare time, what are they involved in?
Child's Photo IdeaOn the child's 6th birthday have them hold a large photo of themselves as a baby. It should be in front of them with the top a few inches below their chin. They can be sitting or standing but it is nice if their position resembles that of the baby photo.
Have an enlargement made--the enlargements may be grainy but it does not have to be perfect for this.
On the twelfth birthday have the child hold the 6th birthday photo and then on the 18th birthday have the child hold the 12th birthday photo.
If your child has already passed six you could do one at nine with the baby photo and then one at age eighteen.
Gift Wrap IdeaBuy small gifts equal in number to the child's age (or more). Wrap each gift tightly in tissue paper. Wrap several layers of crepe paper streamer (maybe leftover from parties) around the most important gift until you have a small ball. Lay another gift on the side and continue wrapping. Add more gifts every so often until they are all covered. Continue wrapping until you have a rounded shape, then add a bow. Don't wait til the last minute--this takes longer than it seems. Don't expect it to look great but kids have a lot of fun with it.
(Nancy W-S)
A - all . . . . , appreciation, age . . . .
B - blow, birthday, balloons, brother, bang
C - candles, cake, cards, celebrate, celebration, candy, camera, color
D - dad, day, daughter, dance, dancing, dessert, decorations
E - eating, enjoy, exciting, excitement, everyone, everything
F - favors, friends, fun, family, food
G - gifts, games, guests
H - hats, happy, heart, hugs, hear, having fun
I - ice cream, I . . . . , icing, irresistible, invitation
J - joy, joyful, juice
K - kids, keepsake, kiss,
L - laugh, love, loud
M - mom, meal, milk, music, memories
N - name, nice, noise
O - open presents, only
P - presents, party, punch, pictures, photos, play, playing
Q - quite a . . . . (party, day, etc.)
R - ribbon, reading cards, remember
S - sister, surprise, smell, smile, see, snacks
T - toys, taste, touch, thank you, together, treats
U - unforgettable, us, unusual, unique, unwrap
V - very . . . .
W - wrapping paper, welcome, we
X - x-tra (special, etc.), XXXX (kisses)
Y - your . . . . , you are . . . .
Z - zest, zzz's (all tuckered out), zip-a-dee-doo-dah!, zowie!
NOTE: Also use:
birth date (day, month, year); birthplace (city, county, state);
party food; (cake, ice cream), flavor (chocolate, strawberry, etc.);
game and activity names; colors (balloons, decorations, etc.);
theme (Disney, cowboy, movie, music, etc.);
names (guests, family, pets); location (park, home, restaurant)
numbers (party guests, age, gifts)
We made a sentiments book for our friend today. We put letter stickers on the first page. It is a blue album with balloons. We used blue letters. We used a sheet that only had big letters. There wasn't any apostrophe. We made the first page say 'Cade's Birthday Book'. It was my idea to make the Q into an O and cut off the tail of the Q to make an apostrophe. It looks good. But save the new O to use by itself. It looks different from the real O. So don't use the cut Q next to a real O or you can tell. But the book is nice. Cade is one. He can put one birthday picture for each birthday until he is eighteen. I like the blue book a lot. Cade is too little to tell us if he likes it too. I think he will like it a lot when he is big. We just got home from the party. Good night.
This makes a great gift (include photo splits and pen). Create a title page for the first page. The rest of the book has two-page spreads for each birthday. Decorate with balloons, cake, confetti, candles, toys, etc. Leave a few blank pages for extra photos. Here are some title suggestions.
Now See Who's 1
Things I Can Do
Things I Like
Special Memories
Now See Who's 2
Things I Can Do and Say
Things I Like
Special Memories
Wow, Now I'm 3
Things I Can Do and Say
Things I Like
Special Memories
Now Look Who's 4
Things I Can Do and Say
Things I Like
Special Memories
Now I'm 5
I Like To
Some Words That Describe Me
Special Memories
I Just Turned 6
Now I Can
I Like To
Special Memories
I'm Finally 7
I'm Good At
My Favorite Things Are
Special Memories
It's Great - I'm 8
Now I Can
I Love To
Special Memories
Wow, Now I'm 9
I'm Good at
Things I Like
Special Memories
some people go to age 13:
I'm a Teenager Now!
(Nancy Hart)
A year's gone by,
How time has flown,
We can't believe
how (name)'s grown!
She's such a joy
and so much fun,
Oh my! My baby's
turning ONE!
A One-year-old daughter
is so many things . . .
A tiny discoverer
of butterfly wings,
A hugger of Teddies,
A sweet sleepyhead,
And someone to dream for
in bright years ahead.
A special new person
Who, right from the start,
Has a place in the family
And, of course, in your heart.
And, just when you think
That you've learned all the things
That your dear Daughter is
And the joy that she brings,
A hug or a grin
Comes with such sweet surprise
That love finds you smiling
With tears in your eyes!
(Joan Walsh Anglund)
Something's happened!
It happened to me!
Yesterday, I was only three.
But when today
came through the door,
suddenly
I turned to FOUR!
Please, everybody, look at me!
Today I'm five years old, you see!
And after this, I won't be four,
Not ever, ever, any more!
I won't be three or two or one,
For that was when I'd first begun.
Now I'll be five awhile,
And then I'll soon be something else again.
(M. Meyer Kort)
When I have said my evening prayer,
And my clothes are folded on the chair,
And my mother switches off the light,
I'll still be four years old tonight.
But, from the very break of day,
Before the children rise and play,
Before the darkness turns to gold,
Tomorrow, I'll be five years old.
Five kisses when I wake,
Five candles on my cake!
(A.A. Milne)
When I was one,
I had just begun.
When I was two,
I was nearly new.
When I was three,
I was hardly me.
When I was four,
I was not much more.
When I was five,
I was just alive.
But now I am six,
I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six
now and forever.
(by Judith Viorst)
I'm getting a higher bunk bed.
And I'm getting a bigger bike.
And I'm getting to cross Connecticut Avenue all by myself, if I like.
And I'm getting to help do dishes.
And I'm getting to weed the yard.
And I'm getting to think that seven could be hard.
(Delora Burrow-Bradish)
I can hardly believe,
That today you are ten.
I wish you were still little,
But I cannot pretend.
You have grown to be strong,
Sensitive and kind.
When I see you out playing
I can't believe you are mine.
Talented, athletic, funny and sweet,
You drink a gallon of milk every week!
I can hardly keep up.
You are growing so fast.
Ten years as your mother
Is now a thing of the past.
My prayer? My hope?
My dream for your life?
Love God. Seek His word.
Do what is right.
My heart? My ambition?
My desire everyday?
To love you and train you
To walk in His ways.
(Nicholas Gordon)
Thirteen is a very lucky age!
Happiness comes tumbling out the door
Instantly a-giggle with a friend,
Returning with the bounce of empty bliss.
There's no better ecstasy than this,
Even when the strange teen changes end,
Even when one finally knows the score.
No time of life's more bubbly than this stage.
Fifteen years have come and gone
Your sixteenth year begins at dawn
Your life as a child almost complete
A fine young lady we all now meet
So in the days and years to come
Take time to sing and dance and hum
When you get older through life you must run
So while you are young, take time for fun
If the 16th birthday is special in your family you can make it extra special. Shop far in advance and keep an eye out for things that are funny, cute, useful or unique. Most things can be inexpensive but have a few that are really nice and one that is extra special. For example: an unusual eraser, engraved items, cosmetics, billfold, jewelry, accessories, stationary, craft supplies, etc. Wrap each gift individually in bright paper and write a short verse or clue to what's inside. Tie a ribbon around each package leaving one end long. Gather the long ribbons from fifteen of the packages and attach them to the most important gift. Put a big bow on that gift to cover the ends of the ribbons. Arrange on a table. If the main gift is very small you can put it in multiple boxes (you could nest it sixteen boxes deep.)