It seems that there have been a lot of birthday celebrations recently!
Between Happy Home Fairy’s birthday and the Happy Buddy’s, I am feelin’ very birthday-ish!
And as I write this post, the Happy Buddy and I are watching Tangled – the movie where every year on Rapunzel’s birthday her parents send out a bunch of pretty lanterns into the sky.
While our Happy Home doesn’t celebrate with a million lanterns (although that would be pretty awesome), here are a few of the birthday traditions we love!
1. Birthday Countdown
This year for the Happy Buddy’s birthday we had a paper chain countdown hanging on our fridge! Every morning we took off a link. When his birthday finally came, the Happy Buddy dashed to the kitchen shouting, “LAST LINK! LAST LINK!”
He was pretty excited about his Monkey Party (pics to come!).
2. Birthday Books
Every year I give the Happy Buddy a new book for his library! I make sure to include a little note and picture so that it will be a memorable collection to remind him of birthdays past!
Plus, I like to think that this tradition subliminally communicates that reading is something to celebrate.
3. Birthday Hat
Every year I make the Happy Hubby wear this ridiculously corny magical birthday hat that we got from Disney World a long time ago. I always take a picture of him fashionably donning his birthday headdress.
I like to wear birthday hats, too, but a crown is more my speed.
4. Birthday Facts
Click to Enlarge!
For the last two years I have been making a neat little fact sheet about the Happy Buddy on his birthday. It lists all of his favorite things – like foods, songs, books, etc. I even like to put the things that he doesn’t like.
I think it will be fun for him to look back every year and see how his little personality grows and changes!
5. Birthday Photo Book
I love the idea of scrapbooking, but it’s just not for me! I can’t ever bring myself to sit down and do it!!! I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so a scrapbook would take me like a decade to complete (I know this because I still have one from our wedding that I am working on – only finished 2 pages – and that was 8 years ago!).
But I love preserving memories and photos in an album, so these fabulous online photo books have become the biggest blessing to our Happy Home!
For the last 2 years, the Happy Hubby and I block out a few hours in June where we go through pictures of the Happy Buddy from the last year and put them into a photo book (like the ones from Shutterfly). He has a book of his first year of life and now one of his second!
Not only is it a great keepsake, but also it’s a fun activity to do with the Happy Hubby. We have a great time reminiscing and looking at pictures together.
6. Birthday Breakfast
A magical birthday breakfast table setting is a must!!!
I break out the fine china (a special birthday plate and bowl) for the occasion.
I use the Happy Hubby’s favorite candy to spell out the shape of whatever age he is turning.
I like to put birthday signage everywhere (this sign was one I sneaked into the Happy Hubby’s office for him to find on his computer keyboard).
And a delicious breakfast awaits…
I try to make a new and different recipe every year for the Happy Hubby to enjoy.
The birthday boy has feasted on homemade waffles, a decadent Chocolate Chip-Cinnamon Breakfast Ring, Breakfast Pizzas, a Breakfast Casserole, an Egg and Sausage Breakfast Ring, and a breakfast bake (above).
7. Birthday Song
Ohhhhhhhh, Happy Home Friends. This is probably my favorite birthday tradition of all.
When I was growing up, every year on my birthday my parents woke me up to Captain Zoom.
In fact, my parents STILL play Captain Zoom for me over the phone on my birthday when they call in the morning – they’re the best parents ever. 
Who is Captain Zoom you might ask?
Captain Zoom sings the world’s most popular personalized birthday song!!!
I am not even kidding when I tell you that the song has my name in it 8 TIMES!
It’s so funny… Captain Zoom travels from the moon to earth just so that he can sing a special song to you or your Happy Buddy on his/her birthday. Your Happy Hubby will love Captain Zoom too! Just ask mine! He CAN’T WAIT to hear the familiar beginning chords of Captain Zoom.
It just wouldn’t be a birthday without him!
When I played the Happy Buddy his very own Captain Zoom song on his birthday, I wish you all could have seen his face! He made me bring the CD in the car with us when we drove to church later that morning.
We have listened to it about a million times since.
You can purchase your own personalized Captain Zoom CD, MP3 or DVD here.
Are you looking for even more fabulous birthday traditions? My friend, Trisha, over at 24/7 Moms has a list of over 30 brilliant ideas!
What do you do for birthdays??
Happy Birthday Tradition-ing! 
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I am currently planning a She’s About to POP Baby Shower for a dear friend.
