Hello Friends! Thanks for stopping by as I take another walk down memory lane before introducing one of my newest ideas!  In my best Junie B. journal-writing style, let me share this personal story. WHY I MAKE A BIG DEAL ABOUT BIRTHDAYS by Jennifer Reynolds Elementary Teacher My Mom always made a huge fuss about my birthday when I was growing up.   Even though it fell 12 days before Christmas when time and money were tight.   She always made sure to provide a thoughtful and usually homemade gift, donut cake in a holiday shape from a local shop, and chocolate milk bought in glass bottles from the corner Sterling's store. Fun games were planned with a few friends from school, and a grand time was usually enjoyed by all.  Well, except for when I turned eight and she put trick candles on my cake that would not blow out and made me cry!  Luckily, that lesson was learned and and happy celebrations followed  year-after-year!  ......