They say it's your birthday...but it's not.

Whoever decided to have summer-birthday-having kindergarteners celebrate their birthday during the school year needs to be slapped. This seems to be a universal thing round these parts. I have no problem with the fact that some kids get to celebrate their birthdays during the school year (because that's when they are!), and some kids don't. That's life, kids!

Bunny had two pool parties last year. Two cakes. Two rounds of gifts. One party was in Hawaii at her Tata's club where they catered it to Bunny's exact specifications: fried chicken, chili, pizza, and plenty of passion-orange-guava juice. Party number two was in California at the local pool where she got to eat sammiches and swim with her friends. She gets to be outside for every birthday party if she wants to, while all the winter birthday kids are at Pump It Up or Chuck E. Cheese's. (PS Having a summer birthday means never having to go to Chuck E. Cheese's. Thank gawd.)

Bunny has been telling anyone who will listen it's her birthday tomorrow. She's even asked for a party with goody bags. And presents.

I have told her repeatedly, "It's not your birthday. Your birthday is in two months!"

She remains nonplussed. We're celebrating at school tomorrow and that's all that counts. When I asked her what kind of treats she wanted to share with her classmates she said, "Pie. Cherry pie."

"Are you sure?" I wanted to make sure she didn't want cupcakes or cookies or muffins. What seem to be the popular choices, according to Bunny.

"Nope. Cherry pie." She remained firm.

And that's my girl. I love that she's never afraid to make a different, totally-right-for-her choice.

So Thursday I will show up at school with three lattice-topped cherry pies, some juice boxes, a stack of ZooPals plates, and a pie server. We will sing happy birthday on Bunny's not-birthday and I will watch her be the center of attention. And, yes, I will be the one beaming with pride at the most sunny and beautiful, fiercely independent, and too smart for her own good almost-six-year-old in the whole world.

Comments

[alli]

When I got married, our "groom's cake" was mini-cherry pies because that is what the groom wanted.

Tell her to have a Happy Birthday (in two months).

[Jane ther Queen]

My strong-willed son-in-law had a grilled cheese sandwich bar at their reception because he loves those best!

[Irene]

As a teacher, I couldn't stand the summer birthdays or just celebrating the birthdays in general. It became the competition of treats and goody bags! The best thing that my principal ever did was enforce nutrition guidelines three years ago. This meant that a class could only have a "treat" once a month and they had to follow the guidelines. Now I can simply get away with a birthday crown on birthdays and half-birthdays and singing. I don't miss the competition between the families and I don't miss the hyper kids from all the cupcakes. Our once a month treats are now just class parties or a treat that goes along with a unit of study.

[Grace]

Your Bunny's school does this? We just got an announcement in my daughter's weekly parent letter that this Friday will be THE day to celebrate the summer birthdays. I can't imagine how much sugar those kids are going to consume tomorrow afternoon!

[Lia]

That is exactly why we didn't celebrate birthdays at my school. Yes we sang to kids for their birthdays but NO treats.

[Lorraine]

Interesting you are allowed to bring food in. All the schools and daycares here have strict food policies and no food sharing.
On the birthdays here, they get a paper crown and the school gives them a book - love it!

[jooliyah]

i think bunny is AWESOME. seriously, she's going to do some great things when she grows up.

[Crystal]

Cherry Pies!!@@ I LOVE IT :) Good for her and looking out for her wants on her not birthday/birthday/

[mothergoosemouse]

Mmmm...cherry pie!

I got dragged to Chuck E. Cheese a month ago. That pizza is the worst.

[lauren]

with a birthday in July, I never had the cupcake fanfare in school. Times are changing...

and cherry pie? She sounds amazing :)

[lauren]

with a birthday in July, I never had the cupcake fanfare in school. Times are changing...

and cherry pie? She sounds amazing :)

[Laundry & Children]

I have to agree with you on the weirdness of birthday parties for summer babies during the year. My daughter's 1sst grade class is doing that this month and it is must silly in my opinion. When I was growing up, no one brought stuff in to school for birthdays. With 28 kids in my daughter's class they are having a party just about every other week. It is insane.

However, the cherry pie does sound wonderful.

[Nicole/wksocmom]

Wow, that's new to me. I had a summer birthday and never celebrated at school, and part of me was happy my kids get to celebrate during school. But I don't remember it as being such a bad thing, just different, and summer pool parties are awesome. Our only rule at our school is individual treats - as there isn't time to cut things up. Mmm... cherry pie.

[Mom101]

Now I know what to look forward to for my July girl. And here I was thinking she'd never get to celebrate because no one in NYC is ever in town the week of July 4th.

Happy Not-Birthday Bunny!

[Deborah Dowd]

Isn't the idea of celebrating a birthday to recognize each child's special day? If so, what's the use of jumbling all the summer kids together? This way all the other kids get a special day and the summer kids have to share their day with others!

[Deborah Dowd]

Isn't the idea of celebrating a birthday to recognize each child's special day? If so, what's the use of jumbling all the summer kids together? This way all the other kids get a special day and the summer kids have to share their day with others!

[Deborah Dowd]

Isn't the idea of celebrating a birthday to recognize each child's special day? If so, what's the use of jumbling all the summer kids together? This way all the other kids get a special day and the summer kids have to share their day with others!

[Heather M.]

I have a feeling by the time my boy goes to school everything will be outlawed. He is due in July so we have a long way to go before school parties, but wow does cherry pie sound wonderful. I think it is wonderful that Bunny is open to choosing something different than her classmates. Good for her!