It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

Emily is at the age that life revolves around one day a year- the birthday! She is still 250 days away from hers, but it is always on her mind! And, that means, it is often a part of her conversations.
"Guess what my birthday party is going to be?"
"Mom, this is what my cake will look like, and these are the candles, and this is the frosting, and..."

And, it has become her greatest sense of control.
"If you do this for me, I will buy you the best birthday present ever!"
"I am NOT inviting you to my birthday party!"

I pondered why they would use birthdays in this way and I think I have it. Birthdays are the one day each year that is all about them. The whole day is dedicated to making them happy. And, they see a birthday as a way to make others happy or sad. So if they are happy, they will make you happy by promising presents and parties. If they are sad, they will make you sad by denying you those same things. And at my house, this works. My girls have often brought each other to tears over birthday parties and presents that only exist in conversations between the two of them.

So, if you are on Emi's good side when the actual birthday rolls around, here is the type of party you can look forward to being invited to.