I can't believe my little man has just turned six. Where has the time flown?

Lewi is growing up - I have to face this fact. His language, his ideas, his mannerisms, his actions - they're all those of a boy who's growing into himself. He's giving real insight now into the man that he will become and I am so in awe of him. He is my favourite company. He's interesting and interested. He's compassionate and empathetic. He's firey and focussed. He's a lover of life. He loves fun and adventure. I could go on...and on...and on... and on...

This year we decided (well, I decided), that we would be having a party-free birthday as the past 5 years have been rather big extravaganzas (for me at least). Lewi, the party-lover that he is, was at first a little disappointed but eventually he came around and was excited by the discussions of what we could do for his birthday instead. Initially we were going to head up to Canberra (our national capital!) and visit the Dinosaur Museum as well as his cousins. These plans changed as Lewi's Dad wasn't going to be able to make it. In the end he chose to watch Jurassic Park (a movie that I have been steering him away from due to it's 'full-on' bits). We set up his bedroom like a dino land (complete with plants (potted wisteria and a yukka - not exactly prehistoric but they did there job. And plastic dinos everywhere). All three of us watched the DVD together, with popcorn intermission of course. Lewi loved the whole experience - such a simple thing to do together.

In the afternoon we went 10 Pin Bowling with family and friends (four of his most special ones)and then had birthday cake at the beach. We had a great day with one relaxed (for a change!) Mumma which had to be a bonus.

These simple things seem to work out to be the best in the long run. The basics of a birthday, for Lewi, seem to be:
* getting together with friends
* having access to an open space to play, run and explore
* a birhday cake to top it all off.

All the stress and fuss that holding a party brings isn't really worth it, in my opinion. Next year we'll do a similar kind of thing so that all the other important parts of the birthday celebrations can be enjoyed and appreciated. Each year I interview Lewi about the things he likes, doesn't like, his favourite things and so on. We take foot and hand prints. I write him a letter about his past year. We read birthday related books - like Happy Birthday. We discuss his birth with him and how I felt when he came into this world. We have a special birthday breakfast of whatever he likes (every year since he turned 3 it's been croissants with mango and berries). These things all help him to feel celebrated and appreciated and I love to relish in them rather than rushing them to fit them into the busy day ahead.

I really do love celebrating birthdays. I think every human being needs to feel special and remembered on their birthday. I now have better focus on what's really important and I have finally found a way to have a stress-free day - well, as stress-free as this Mumma gets at least.

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Posted by debdillon

I was random blogging and found your site. I love hearing about homeschooling in other countries. In fact one of my blogging "friends" (flapjacks) is in England. It sounds like things may be a bit more relaxed in Australia than in England. Since you are in a small town, are there many other homeschoolers to pal around with?

Deb

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Posted by mom2threegirls

I found your post really intriguing. I have two girls born on the same day, two years apart, that are having birthdays in April. I want to scale down the party this year to a few friends and more activity. However, I loved the intimate party you described, how wonderful!!

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