Celebrating Finn!

Everyone knows it's not easy being that kid whose birthday falls around Christmastime, and it's even harder to be the kid whose birthday falls ON Christmas Day. Finn just happens to be that kid. (Please don't tell me again what a wonderful present that must have been...spending all day Christmas day in the hospital, eating my Christmas burrito, missing out on Christmas morning with the other kids. I'm not complaining or anything. ;) I decided this year to start a new tradition that will hopefully give Finn some special birthday time amidst the holiday celebrations.

So last night, while other moms were sneakily stuffing stockings full of goodies, I was in the kitchen making a Cinnamon Braid.

Then I got up at 5:30 this morning, before the kids could come bounding down the stairs, to bake the Cinnamon Braid (and make fruit salad).

So after the stockings were unstuffed (I also did stuff stockings last night), we lit a candle in Finn's honor and celebrated his wonderful, joyful, sweet presence in our family.

(we even let them eat in the dining room!)

I don't think he quite gets the fact that his birthday is a separate event from Christmas, but he sure was thrilled at the attention lavished over breakfast.

Despite his sour grapefruit face.

He also got a special present opening time all of his own. Just 2 little sweet presents that were perfectly matched to his interests.

It was a joyful celebration indeed.