Babies!! Everybody loves babies, so sweet and lovable and helpless, we love them in spite of the interrupted sleep, the lack of sleep, the fussy times, the constant necessary chores to keep them clean and fed and clothed and healthy and happy. Blankies, bottles, binkies, burp cloths, basinettes, . . . yes, we are familiar with them all. Six separate times of giving birth, not pleasant of course, as labor is indeed work, but every time definitely worth the effort:
In our faith, our babies are given their names and a special priesthood blessing when they are several weeks old. This is generally done in our weekly Sacrament Meeting and often pronounced or given by the father of the child. It is a special occasion to celebrate the birth of a child, and is usually attended by extended family members who are able to come.
Baptisms by full immersion in water are performed after a child has turned eight years old and has an understanding of the covenant or promise that they are making to follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ and to keep his commandments. Since all worthy adult male members of our church are eligible to hold the priesthood, DH has had the privilege of both blessing and baptizing each of our six children. The baptismal days are also attended and celebrated with family and friends.
Birthdays are always fun. I confess that I was not the Mom that planned elaborate birthday parties for every birthday. Each child did have at least one or two birthday parties with friends coming to our house for fun and games, a pinata or a treasure hunt and the requisite pizza or hot dogs and ice cream and cake. Most birthdays were celebrated with just the family, a home made birthday cake (well, usually a box mix cake) with homemade frosting and candles to blow out to make a wish after everyone has sung the Happy Birthday song. And presents of course! It was always fun to take the group to the dollar store to pick out something fun for their sibling. Mom and Dad and Grandmas and Grandpas would usually send a gift of some kind too, and when we lived close enough, would be invited for dinner (usually the menu was the birthday child's choice) and of course, the cake and ice cream for dessert.
What are your favorite ways to celebrate children's birthdays? What are other special days in your family?
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