Welcome to my birthday week! I will be 35 on August 17. I do not normally care about birthdays, but turning 35 seems like a big deal to me. Hence, my gift to myself is to get other people to write my blog for me. I know, brilliant right? All this week, I will have four lovely friends who will be writing about birthdays. Please show then some love! I’ll be back next week, older and hopefully, wiser.
xoxo, Alison
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I don’t think there can be a more cheerful blogger than Kir of The Kir Corner. She exudes so much life through her beautiful writing – be it her make-you-cry-buckets posts about her struggle with infertility, or her loving posts about her twin sons Gio and Jacob.
I’m also constantly on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment of her ongoing fictional series: Kimmy and David. If you haven’t read them, do! I’ve also had the honor of appearing in Kir’s Proud Mommy Moments series.
Kir, thank you for being such a fabulous friend to me, with your constant support and kind words! xo
Hi, I’m Kir of The Kir Corner.
I am so excited to be here celebrating with Alison during her birthday week.
I mean if there were ever a woman that deserved to be showered with a full week of love, adulation and pure admiration it’s Alison.
So I come bearing the gifts of balloons, hugs and birthday cake. *YUMMY*
Alison, I hope every single one of your “CANDLE WISHES” comes true for you and I am so happy you asked me to celebrate with you, I feel so happy and honored to be here in this space.
SMOOCHES to you BIRTHDAY QUEEN!
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Ever since I’ve been a little girl, I’ve had a love affair with my birthday.
There are so many things to adore about the day you were born and I don’t shy away from the adoration of a day devoted entirely to me.
After all, there is so much about February that I dislike; the bitter cold of my least favorite season, the unfairness of being given only 28 days to reign as the queen and the challenge of making sure that no one tries to combine my gifts with that certain other holiday of hearts and romance that falls 8 days after mine.
I am a firm believer in the thought that happiness begets more happiness that a smile will coax another smile and I spend much of February encouraging this type of behavior. If I have to be cold, cancel my parties due to inclement weather or lament the adding of another candle to my cake, I prefer to do it with style, smiles and acceptance.
Do you remember how much you loved your birthday as a child, a day specially designed to shout to the world that YOU ARE HERE and YOU MATTER?
A day when your parents, relatives, friends and neighbors lifted you high and shouted your beautiful qualities to you?
CELEBRATED YOU?
What a fantastic concept!
A moment in time devoted to brightly colored paper, shiny helium filled balloons and a cake decorated to match your current fancy.
In a childhood that is riddled with some memories I would prefer not to remember, I have bright shining recall of the days in February that were given to me alone.
The cards that held crisp new bills or the boxes wrapped with more love than precision that offered me new clothes or a coveted toy or as I got older beautiful jewelry, the message clear in the loopy handwriting of my grandmothers or my parents.
I was loved.
Wanted.
Treasured.
To this day, I will go to bed on Jan 31st eager and excited with the promise of a month of partying.
I will become giddy and annoying, spouting joy and reminders of the “special day coming”. I become a bigger version of my gregarious self and soak up every single bit of happiness that is covered in butter cream icing.
So that on February 6th I wake in the still dark chilly morning and I listen for my phone to ring, just as my siblings and mom do on their own day. I wait for the voices of the people I love singing to me, even at 41 I never tire of hearing their scratchy voices warbling the song, tears pricking at my eyes, in the early morning.
I beg, every year, to hear my mom tell me the story of my conception, the joy of her pregnancy , the traveling I did under her heart (that I am sure is the reason for my wanderlust) and the day and half of jitterbugging, water-breaking, a false start and a Reese’s Cup that ended up with me being born.
Her familiar voice adding some elements or forgetting some each year, but she always indulges me, her eyes lost in the memories of her first born.
For you see, I am reborn with each celebration, each year I am given another chance to start over.
In my world of always worrying about other people, taking care of everyone’s needs and holding them high, making them feel special, I find pure joy in bending over a mixture of sugar, flour and icing, making my candle wishes and then licking the spoon of sweetness over and over again.
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Have a fantastic Birthday Alison, being here today was such a fantastic GIFT.
Thank you.
xo
Thank you Kir, for your lovely story and your great outlook on birthdays!
What are your favorite birthday memories?
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well what do you say for someone welcoming you in and giving you and your words a place to sit, relax and smile?
thank you my gorgeous friend. May your birthday be SWEET and my year be filled with surprises that take your breath away.
love you girl!
xo
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Kir, thank you for being here today, it means so much to me. Love ya too! xoxo
Happy Birthday, Alison! For my 13th birthday, my parents hired a DJ and threw me a dance. It was full of friends, gifts and drama. Perfect.
Julie @ mamamash ‘s last awesome post..The Pythagorean Theorem in real life
Thank you Julie! I’d really like to hear about the drama that ensued
Happy Birthday Alison! Have fun celebrating your birthday week!
Rach (DonutsMama) ‘s last awesome post..Life’s Lessons: The "She’s Still Talking About Sleep??" Edition
Thank you Rach! I sure will!
You are a leo as well? I knew I loved you Alison! I hope you have a fab birthday–and you are so right–I cannot think of anyone better than Kir to kick off the festivities with! Love her and you so much!!!
Elena @CiaoMom ‘s last awesome post..Reclaiming ME: The Birthday Edition
Aw, thanks Elena! Love you too xo #FellowLeo
Love you too, yes, it seems that quite a lot of my favorite ladies are Leo’s and that’s awesome. Have a great month Elena, love you girl!
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Great person to kick off the birthday festivities! Kir, I love your outlook on birthdays! I think it’s great to think of it as a fresh start to each year.
Kimberly ‘s last awesome post..Life Lessons
She has given me a fresh perspective on birthdays, for sure!
Happy Birthday Alison!
I’ve always loved birthdays…the gorgeous cakes my mom made, the sleep overs, the fabulous fun we had. Birthdays rock!
Kristin ‘s last awesome post..(Almost) 25 and counting
Thank you Kristin! Your mom certainly made it special for you, that’s fab!
A splendid idea!! And happy birthday week to you!
Kir, I couldn’t agree more with your take on how birthdays are meant to be celebrated!! Good for you!
Jamie ‘s last awesome post..pardon the dust
Thank you Jamie!
HI Jamie, thanks for stopping by and giving Alison some love. Plus I’m so glad you agree with my birthday philosophy. Hope you feel like A Queen on yours too.
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
First off – Happy Birthday Alison! You ROCK!
What a great post! Like you, I love my birthday! I am a party unto myself. I wake up happy and know that today I’m having BBQ Fritos and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. I’m not making the bed, I’m going to the movies and McDonalds is in my immediate future! Everything is gravy and it’s all about me.
….I love that people remember, but believe it or not – it’s my birthday frame of mind and self-presents that I most enjoy!
Thanks Ann! Haha, I love that you said you’re a party unto yourself!
I absolutely LOVE that you enjoy that day as much as I do (plus it makes me look less creepy and selfish!!! LOL)
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Great way to celebrate your birthday week!
Thanks Janie!
Twitter: krrobi
says:
—-Happy 35th Birthday, Dear Mama XXxxxxx
My Inner Chick ‘s last awesome post..11 Reasons Why I Love Your Blog
Thank you Kim xoxo
Oh how this takes me back to my childhood. I used to have a countdown to my birthday. Ha ha!
A countdown? How awesome is that!
Oh yes, the countdown , I still have one.
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
What a fabulous outlook! Super love it
dweej @ HouseUnseen ‘s last awesome post..Getting Medieval on You
Kir is fabulous
A great post about the excitement of your birthday Kir. I like to celebrate mine all month too.
Jessica ‘s last awesome post..My War Story
You have the right idea Jess!
it’s the best way to do it, isn’t it???? to have a whole month to celebrate and then a whole year to try to get it right again.
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Happy Birthday Alison! Is your birthday today? ANyway, have a fantastic birthday week.
That IS a great outlook on birthdays from Kir. I rejoice in the birthdays of my kids and hubby now more than I do mine. All I ask for my birthday every year is an uninterrupted shopping spree.
mom2kiddos ‘s last awesome post..10 TV Shows I Miss
Thanks G! My birthday is on Wednesday but I thought I’d spoil myself and celebrate all week! An uninterrupted shopping spree should be easy to spring right?
Shopping , whheeeee…now that’s a way to celebrate. GOOD FOR YOU!!!
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Happy Happy Birthay Alison! I hope you have a fabulous Birthday Week…heck, spread it out over the entire month. You deserve it! I’m thankful to have come across your blog and in the process met such a wonderful inspiring woman.
Kir in one word is simply fabulous. And completely right Okay, that’s more than one word…but who cares). Birthday’s are amazing and should be celebrated to the max. And just because we are adults, doesn’t me we have to stop getting excited about our special day, just like we did when we were children. It IS a special day!
LIVE IT UP!
Hopes@Staying Afloat! ‘s last awesome post..Sunday Sweetness: By Leaps and Bounds
Thank you Hopes! I am trying to live it up, hence the birthday week
It’s hard for me as I never make a big deal of my birthday, especially the last few years. But I’m allowing myself some fun this year.
Kir is awesome!
Hope I ADORE you…with all my heart. thank you for this and I hope you let ME and everyone else CELEBRATE you on your special day. You’re just awesome!!!
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Alison, good for you! Birthday’s should be fun! And you my dear, should be celebrated!
Kir, you are way to kind! Thank you so very much! You’ve actually made me blush!! LOL!! You are just so fantastic and supportive and just flat out wonderful!!
Hopes@Staying Afloat! ‘s last awesome post..Sunday Sweetness: By Leaps and Bounds
Hi Alison!
Am your new fan and coming over from Mom2kiddos! Thank you for dropping by at my site earlier.
I love the way you wrote about yourself in your intro column. Charming!
And happy early birthday to yoU! Hope you have a blast!
Hi Catheryn, thanks for stopping by!! And thank you for your kind compliment
I will have a blast!
Hi Alison@Mama Wants This!
Thanks for dropping by my blog earlier to comment on my fave fix-it-all product! I leave the batteries part to my hubby. Wouldn’t want to keep any batteries in our room (worried Ben might play with it and accidentally swallowed it)
Btw, what a cool idea to have ppl guest posting on your birthday week! My fave birthday memories would have to be in 2009, I had earlier gave birth to my 1st child and being Chinese, was given tons of flak and that I must follow those confinement rules (I’m really anti superstitious thingy) but I was happy that my hubby managed to sneak in some McDonald’s meal set for my birthday treat!
Jenny @ I’m a full-time mummy ‘s last awesome post..What’s Your Favorite Fix-It-All Product?
Hi Jenny, thanks for stopping by!!
I do love the week of guest posts too – gives me a much needed break from writing
I am anti-superstitions too and totally did NOT do confinement at all – I was out and about after 1 week! And good on your hubby to get you a treat!
I do remember the joy of birthdays! Five dollars in a card from my grandmother was one of my favorite things.
That is a wonderful memory.
Me too , I know they used to go to the bank for a BRAND NEW CRISP bill and it made my day, my whole year. Thanks for “remembering with me”
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Popped in from SITS! I hope you have a fantastic b-day! I’ve always loved birthdays and helping people celebrate theirs. It kills me my husband can’t stand anything–even a balloon!
Blond Duck ‘s last awesome post..Magical Monday 52
Thanks for coming by, and thank you, I will!
Twitter: amountainmomma
says:
This made me cry a little. It is great to have people love you, celebrate you…sniff…I can’t wait til my next birthday.
I know, A “WHOLE DAY FOR YOU?” ,what could be better than that????
thanks for stopping by and showering Alison with love.
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
We’ll be here to celebrate your birthday with you!
What a wonderful post! Made me a bit teary-eyed
I don’t have an actual birthday story because I was adopted and nobody knows about the day of my birth, but I certainly do the story-telling to my children about their days!
Susanna Leonard Hill – Children’s Author ‘s last awesome post..Skype Author Visits?
Hello, thanks so much for stopping by to read and share that with us. I’m sorry you don’t have Your Story because I know how much it means to me, but I do love that you give it to your children. WOWZA. It’s a fantastic gift to know how YOU came to be.
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Susanna, thank you for stopping by. I’m sorry you don’t have that special day, I hope you’re celebrated daily then! Your children will certainly love your story telling about them.
Kir – I love that you love your birthday so much and look at it as a time for celebration. I think I need to take a few notes from you and start doing that again!
Elena ‘s last awesome post..Grilled Pizza
I think you should, where else do you get a day all to YOU? Not with other moms, or other lovers or flags?? LOL Just you..being celebrated for BEING HERE!!! I promise to celebrate you BIG this year my friend. xo
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Awww, happy birthday week Allison. And Kir – I need to learn from you how to celebrate! Since I was a teenager, I have *never* enjoyed birthdays. I know, I’m a weirdo.
story ‘s last awesome post..Life’s Lessons: The house guests edition
yes, yes, CELEBRATE yourself, every single chance you get and if it’s with CAKE…that’s even better!!!! thanks for coming over and reading.
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Thank you!
What a joyful post! You brought back many happy childhood memories. Loved this!
And Happy Birthday, Allison!!!
Aleta ‘s last awesome post..Cloud Confession
Thank you Aleta!
What a beautiful way to look at birthdays!
I love this line: “The travelling I did under her heart” – what a lovely thing.
Happy birthday week, Alison!
Robin @ Farewell, Stranger ‘s last awesome post..The Me I Am Today
thank you so much Robin…what a lovely thing to write to me .
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Thank you Robin!
Happy almost birthday Alison!
And what a beautiful post Kir!
So much love to you both!
XO
Galit Breen ‘s last awesome post..Writers & Bloggers: You Need These Resources
thanks for coming by Galit, that means so much to me.
xo
Kir ‘s last awesome post..It’s Alison’s Birthday, But I Got The Present.
Thank you dear friend. xo
Happy birthday, Alison! And great post, Kir! Birthdays are indeed something to be treasured. And maybe, just a little bit, exploited. Because after all, we each only have one (or one week or one month) a year!
Mama Track ‘s last awesome post..The Magic in My Home
Thank you Natalie. I like the word ‘exploited’ in this context. Haha!
Happy Birthday Alison! I am in love with Kir’s Kimmy and David series!
Sarcasm Goddess ‘s last awesome post..Five Minutes
Thank you! It is an intriguing series!
I love this!
I love that a birthday is such a great celebration!!
What a good reminder for those (me) who might take birthdays for granted.
I don’t usually celebrate but I never had a blog before
Every year my birthday gets more lonely and depressing. Maybe some of your joy will rub off on me! And i LOVE that picture of you as a little girl- hilarious!
The Sweetest ‘s last awesome post..Deep Sleep and Bloody Knuckles
Kir’s joy is infectious. Thanks for coming by!
Happy Birthday! I know 35 was a tough one for me. It’s one thing to be “in your thirties” or your “early thirties”, but once you cross into “late thirties” it just takes on a whole new meaning!
Oh I did NOT think of 35 as ‘late’ 30′s at all! I’m still considering it ‘mid’ 30s!
Happy birthday. Age is just a number. Luckily the older you get the wiser you get and soon you will realize that – it’s just a number. (-:
Loved this guest post and especially the little girl photo in it.
Ado ‘s last awesome post..I Miss These Things
Thank you. And fortunately, I’m hardly bothered by the number. I feel 25!
PS: FELLOW LEO! Hear us ROAR! I’m Aug. 1st! (Of COURSE you’re a Leo! Of course!!)
Ado ‘s last awesome post..I Miss These Things
OF COURSE!!
Happy Birthday Week Alison!
Kir, this is one of the lovliest things you’ve written. The idea of presents “wrapped more with love than precision” and the gift of a fresh start each year? I am crying a little!
(I love birthdays – any celebration really – too. Alas, my husband doesn’t get one-tenth as excited as I do. Sigh.)
angela ‘s last awesome post..Step Away from the Planner
Thanks Angela! Kir really went all out for me in this post, she’s amazing.
What a great post. Such great memories. Thank you for sharing. Birthday’s are special. Not just another day.
Birthdays are special, made more so by awesome people like you
Only one more day until we can officially celebrate YOU, Alison! Hope you have something special planned
Also, this is such a beautifully written post. Just lovely. XOXO
Charlotte ‘s last awesome post..business cards giveaway from uPrinting!
Thank you Charlotte! Nothing special planned, just a nice quiet day
Great outlook, Kir!
Happy (belated) birthday Alison, I hope you had a fab day! I have to say every time I come here I leave having learned something or feeling better. Today it was both.
Also, I just have to say…G-E-N-I-U-S idea! I may have to employ this on my blog come May when things get almost to crazy for words. We have Mother’s Day, my birthday and our wedding anniversary all in the same week.
Cheers!
Mandi
Mandi @ Smile and Mama With Me ‘s last awesome post..Love & Marriage
Thanks Mandi, I did have a good birthday. And I’m glad you get something out of visiting. Yes, you absolutely should take the week off and just get other people to write your blog for you
What a beautiful way to look at birthdays! Shopping , whheeeee…now that’s a way to celebrate.
Evangeline Mcguire ‘s last awesome post..Acne Tips