So, today is my daughter's 16th birthday! Yep, sweet 16! I can't be this old, can I? 41, really?? LOL It's insane how time flies!That's Kati in the picture above with her crazy pink bangs. She did it herself. She highlighted my hair, too, which you can see here
Every year on my daughters' birhtdays I take them out of school and we have a 'it's all about you' day. They get to choose whether they want to stay home and mess around, go shopping, head to the movies, whatever. It's their choice. Today, Kati's chosen the mall. She's a 16 yr. old girl, what do you expect? LOL
But it got me to thinking. Are we the only ones who do this? Their friends get jealous that the girls get to play hooky on their birthdays, but I figure why not? Heck, as long as the grades are good then one day off isn't going to ruin anyones lives. We started this back in kindergarten and it's become a tradition. I think it'll be one of those things the girls will look back on and smile.
So tell me, what are your birthday traditions?
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In OTHER news! I got the best review yesterday from the wonderful Whipped Cream Reviews for Tempting Grace.
"The story is excellently written, with characters that are both memorable and endearing."
see the full review here
28 comments:
Happy birthday to your beautiful daughter! Also congrats on the awesome review! Ya'll rock!
Hugs!
Faith
Happy Birthday! Oh to be 16 again. I love your tradition. Ours is simple, the birthday girl, or boy gets to pick whatever they want for supper. Even if it's ice cream and junk food lol
Last year, I almost fainted when my 14 yr old wanted meatloaf LOL of all things to pick.
Kids, gotta luv 'em. Your daughter is gorgeous, just like her mom.
Happy 16th Birthday! That birthday is always special and yes, it makes us mom's feel old. My baby turned 19 yesterday!
Have fun at the mall!
Happy Birthday! Excellent choice for your outing!
My son was born on New Year's Eve, so every year I actually catch a break on celebrations. For the last 5 years we've done a package at Main Event (bowling, laser tag, arcades plus buffet for one price) The boys love it and it's uber-cheap, which I love!
Great review, Anne!
Happy birthday, Kati!
Strangely enough, my 15 y/o currently has pink-streaked hair, as well. It was supposed to be red, but it faded to shades of pink within two days. Usually, she does blue or purple (or both), but she wanted red this time.
No, I don't let my kids skip school on their birthdays, though it's a fun idea. They get to choose dinner (or where we have dinner that night, if that's their choice), and they get a Mom and Daughter Day or Dad and Son day on the weekend...their choice of venue. We also allow sleepovers and/or a movie or other outing with a friend on the weekend.
FWIW, my kids LOVE real food. Yes, they get to choose desserts, as well, but you're likely to hear my kids ask for things like mom's meatloaf or dad's cheeseburgers ... or ham ... or steak on their birthdays instead of junk food. Oh, and don't forget to make mom's mashed potatoes or cheese potatoes to go with whatever the meat is.
In fact, even if they want to go out for dinner, it has never been McDonald's for dinner; it's the local steak, Chinese, or Mexican restaurant.
My oldest (who will be 15 in a couple weeks) will probably choose to have us make homemade ice cream for her birthday.
Brenna
I tell them they should be glad I let them live another year. >:)
But they always give me a hug, so maybe they don't take me seriously. I don't know what I'd have to do to convince them I'm serious! LOL!
Jake
Jake,
You sound like my husband.
B
Awwww, she's so pretty, Anne! Happy Birthday to her! Umm...she'll be driving now, right??? LOL. Exciting for her and nerve-wracking for you. snicker.
My daughter's birthday is in the summer so playing hooky wasn't an issue and my son's b'day always came during spring break but we've always had a cake and invited grandmothers AND we always sing. I suspect though, that's not different from what most people do to celebrate a birthday.
Happy Birthday Kati!
Anne, I think your tradition is awesome. When I was younger, my parents had birthday parties. As I got into my teens, it was more hanging out with friends. When I got older and began to travel, that's when it really got interesting. My tradition is that I spend my birthdays celebrating in a new country with friends and family. Last year it was Puerto Rico, which is now a part of the states, I know. But, it was still nice. In other years, it's Thailand, China, Italy, Brazil, The Netherlands, Germany, Australia, London, Paris, Rome, Spain - Barcelona and Madrid and the list goes on.
Hope you and your daughter enjoy your day and many blessings.
Happy birthday, Kati!!
That's a great tradition, skipping school to celebrate a birthday. Heck, why not? Life is short and we all have to do things that aren't much fun on a daily basis so having a birthday off to do whatever you want is great.
All good things to your corner of the universe.
Sarah
Happy birthday to your beautiful daughter. Wow, you had kids at a young age! When my son turns 16 in 3 years I'll be...no, we won't go there. We don't take the kids out of school. We usually buy them one big gift or they get a birthday party.
Happy Sweet 16, love the bangs. That is such a cool tradition. My oldest will be 18 soon, and I am only going to be 37 by then so... It is hard when you look back and wonder where all the years have gone. But at least you guys will have happy memories to look back at.
Happy Birthday!!!
Your daughter is beautiful, Anne. Happy Birthday to Kati. I like the tradition you guys have. I used to do something similar. I'd take the day off from work on my birthday and do whatever I wanted.
Hi Anne! Tell your daughter Happy Birthday from me!
We always let our kids choose what we're going to eat for their birthday, whether we go out or I fix their favorite (I've never had to fix a bd meal yet, LOL)! They get to choose anything on the menu while their brothers have to eat a reasonably priced meal.
Happy Birthday to Kati.
My daughter turned 19 on the 11th. I look at my two kids now and wonder where the two cute little kids that use to run around my house went to. :-)
Faith--Thanks, lady!!
Adelle--My mom used to do that for us. I love that tradition!
Sandy--Thanks, we DID have fun. Laughed and acted completely silly. It was great!
Jennifer--That sounds like a fun guy sort of birthday. I should mention it to my Sister-in-Law, my nephew would love a day like that!
Brenna--I sort of wanted purple streaks, but I chickened out. LOL I love kati's pink bangs. So fun!
Jake--LOL you really are a nut!
Blackraven--Oooh, I'm jealous! I'd love to travel like that. What a fun idea!!
Well, my girls' birthdays are very close together, Sept. 16 and Sept 22 (they're 2 yrs. apart in age though) and so they have to share and have one party. Because of that, I decided to give them their own special day seperate, which is how the 'skipping school' thing got started.
Thanks, Sarah and Carol!
Dianna--I'm gonna cry when mine turns 18, lol!
Regina--Thanks! We do have a party, too. The grandparents wouldn't have it any other way! LOL
Thanks, Nicole and Kelley! :)
Lisa--I love that tradition!
Chris--I feel your pain! It seems to go by SO fast!!
Happy b'day to your daughter Kati, Anne. LOVE the pink bangs & highlights (went through a pink & purple phase myself). My family's birthday traditions are pretty tame. We go out to a fancy restaurant, Sweet 16 was at Stokesay Castle(Local Reading attraction) & have presents nd cake.
The best one was either 16 or 2 years ago (I'm so NOT fessin' up to my age) was on a cruise ship in the Carribean. Halloween dance/party one night & birthday the next day.
Congrats Anne on the reviews for "Tempting Grace".
The one tradition we had that stands out to me is each girl in our family, on her sixteenth birthday, got a Lindy star ring. I love mine, and now I have my mother's as well. They are just beautiful!
Tell her happy B-Day! I do love the pink hair!
I only get Adrian every other year for his birthday. It bites big time.
Traditions aren't big...a small family party and lots of hugs.
I can't take him out of school for the day, when you have a kid with emotional disabilities/issues you can't encourage missing school.
Ack, I'm late. I hope Kati had a great birthday!
Carpe Noctem,
Des
WOW, sweet 16! ;-) Happy Birthday Kati!
Anne, you better watch out, she is a stunner! Love that she did both your and her hair! The pink looks great on her!
Mine's just 8, so she can only get color that washes out ...
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