Queen for a Day

Or at least 30 minutes. Today was Gina's birthday celebration in her kindergarten class. They make a big deal about each birthday and there is a special ceremony. I had to bring flowers and a snack for the class. Gina had requested that I make the snack so I was up very late last night baking. The request was for a healthy snack, ie not cupcakes, and so I made blueberry breakfast bars which did contain oats and a lot of blueberries, but were also loaded with butter and sugar. They definitely tasted good but I don't know that I would call them healthy.

When I arrived at school Gina was out on the playground playing circus with two friends. Then it was time to go inside for the birthday celebration. Gina put on her crown and cape and picked out a sceptre and then was led to the center of the class by the helper.


The kids sing songs about having a birthday and turning six. Then Vicki reads about each year in the childs life. After each year, Vicki led Gina around the table and then put one of the flowers in the center vase as the helper rang the triangle.


Here is what I wrote about Gina's 6 years:

Birth: Gina was born at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford on Friday May 3, 2002 to Betsy and Vic White.

1^st Year: During Gina’s first year, she enjoyed going to the park and to music class.

2^nd Year: During Gina’s second year, she went with her family on a long drive for vacation in Colorado; she learned to walk on this trip.

3^rd Year: During Gina’s third year, she welcomed her brother Andrew into the family.

4^th Year: During Gina’s fourth year, she flew on an airplane to San Diego; Gina loved visiting the San Diego Zoo.

5^th Year: During Gina’s fifth year, Gina welcomed her brother Dylan into the family and enjoyed going to Lake Tahoe for vacation.

6^th Year: During Gina’s sixth year, she started Kindergarten and learned how to ice skate.

Next, each child came up and handed Gina a paper star with a birthday wish in exchange for a blueberry bar. Every time someone said Thank You, Vicki rang the bell. The kids couldn't eat the snack until everyone had one. I had made a few extra so each of the parents got one as well. Then Vicki told the kids to take a bite and make a wish for the birthday girl, take a second bite and make a wish for the birthday girl's family, and then take a third bite and make a wish for themselves.

It was very cute and special. This was definitely a fun part of Kindergarten.