Birthday-Themed Books for 3-6 Year Old

We were getting ready for Pumpkin's birthday in all kinds of different ways. Reading birthday-themed books was on top of the list. Before every holiday or event I am trying to read books to her about it.
Call me paranoid but with whole swine flu thing I am trying to keep her away from public places as much as I can. We didn't get a chance to visit our public library for a more extensive list but we had some good ones at home already.

Here are the books I'd like to recommend to you.

1. A Birthday for Frances by Russell Hoban

Great old classic! Sounds like a conversation from your living-room making children comfortable with the characters that come alive from the pages of the book and sound just like your kids' peers.
2. Make a Wish, Honey Bear! by Marcus Pfister

This one is for younger preschoolers but older ones enjoy it equally. I am speaking from the experience. Pumpkin loved it! Sweet and kind. Full of bright cute illustrations. Lovely !!
3. Alice and the Birthday Giant by John F. Green

Preschool fantasy. The Giant is not stereotypical at all. He is kind and friendly. Captivating plot, whimsical illustrations. This book would be more appropriate for older preschoolers.
4. Lyle and the Birthday Party by Bernard Waber

Love , love, love books by Waber. We read I think all the books about Lyle and most of the rest. I like the vocabulary in his books. In this particular book Lyle gets a little jealous. The feeling of jealousy bothers the crocodile and towards the end of the book he learns how to cope with it. Good lesson!

5. This Is Actually My Party by Lauren Child

We've been fascinated with Charlie and Lola series since Pumpkin was about 2. They were not as popular back then as they are now. We started off with the book-based cartoon series about brother and sister who live in the UK and their everyday discoveries and adventures. Very polite and logical, well behaved and well read they'll win your child's heart in no time. In this particular book 4-year -old Lola is trying to take over her older brother's birthday party. Read it and see how it turns out . ;)
6. Birthday Presents by Cynthia Rylant.

This is another wonderful book that is well worth having in your home library. This is a journey of one little girl from birth to 7 told her by her parents. This book gives you a feeling of looking through the pages of somebody else's album. Both younger and older preschoolers will enjoy it.
I hope you will enjoy reading books from my list.

Pumpkin's 5th Birthday!

I cannot believe how fast time flies...



It seems like I was pregnant not too long ago.



It seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital with the new crying baby and changing a diaper for the first time trying desperately to figure out where the front was. I was that clueless!



It seems like we were celebrating the first steps and the first birthday with a lonely candle sticking out in the middle of a chocolate cake.



It seems like Pumpkin started saying her first words and then, first coherent sentences. She was "talking" way before that! She was talking Pumpkin(the Pumpkin language as we called it).



It all seems like it happened in one day...



Now I look at this little girl and ask myself:"Where is my baby?".



After last year's craziness with her little friends we decided to have a quiet celebration and also I wanted to make a surprise party for her. Little did I know! As soon as she opened the door to the room where we sent up a table, put up the decorations and saw a chocolate cake she asked for she freaked out completely. It would not be a big deal if we didn't record the "surprise!" entrance... Every single shot and angle indicated how miserable she was. But the balloons and bright colorful wrappings of the gifts did the job they were supposed to do. Of course. In no time she was playing with new toys and tossing the balloons. After that we took her to a secret destination which was a new Children's Museum she's never been before. She had a blast there!


5 years old...


But I still refer to her as "my baby". In conversations with other moms I slip sometimes:" You know, my baby had an upset stomach the other day." And they usually reply the usual mommy stuff:"How old is your baby?" Hmm...5. New moms give me that look usually but women with older kids sigh understandingly.



5 years old...



Even though she wriggles and squeals I still cuddle and squeeze my Pumpkin to death and catch those fast "baby" feet to kiss them. And sometimes I even try to carry her putting her on my hip. This trick doesn't work any more - her legs get tangled in mine. Well, maybe I won't carry her any longer but she'll always be my baby!

Happy 5th, Pumpkin!