“Mom, I think it really stinks that kids are forced to go to school on their
birthdays.” Jay-9
“Jay, your birthday was on Saturday. Today is Tuesday.”
“Yeah, I know, but I’m still sorta celebrating and going to school ruins my celebration. I think it’s a little rude. There should be a law that a kid can take the day off. Ya know, so they can rest up from all the growing they did on their birthday.” Jay-9
ring, ring…
Operator: Hello. Spring Valley Elementary School. How may I help you?
Me: Hi. Yes, good morning. This is Jay’s mom. I’m calling to let you know that Jay will not be coming to school today.
Operator: Oh, no! Is he ok?
Me: Well, the poor child is completely exhausted from celebrating his 9th birthday. I’m sure you can imagine how tiring it is blowing out candles and consuming massive amounts of cake and ice cream. And then, there’s all the growing that’s involved in having a birthday. It’s really tough stuff. Oh, and please tell Jay’s teachers not to bother sending home any make-up work because that would just be rude. He’ll be way too busy laying on the couch playing Xbox and building Lego guys. Well, I’ve gotta run…he’s asking for ice cream cake for breakfast.
Young American Wisdom 
Not that I condone facism, or any -ism for that matter. Ism’s in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon, “I don’t belive in the Beatles, I just believe in me.” Good point there. After all, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. I’d still have to bum rides off people.
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What does that mean? Am I going to have to start driving you to work? I don’t have time for that…you’ll have to take the bus. 😉
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You should know better…Bueller….Bueller….Bueller….Bueller…
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I love Jay. I believe in mental health days, why not growing up days? We could all use them. 😉
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I agree, Lisa. In fact, I could use a mental health day today. 😉
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I think those rules should transfer to the workplace as well.
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Nobody should have to work on their birthday. In fact, I think once you hit 40, you should have a birthday week. How does that sound?
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I’m with Lisa and BRC. We should all have a day off to play xbox and eat massive amounts of ice cream. Grown ups would all be a lot more happy. 😀
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How about an entire day on the couch with a gallon of ice cream, a spoon and a movie marathon? Imagine that! 😉
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Only when you’re 9 can your birthday last an entire week. I say, live it up. Once you hit double digits, reality sets in. 🙂
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I can give you a little dirt on this blog’s author…her birthday celebration still lasts the entire month of July. She is a Leo through and through, but I wouldn’t want her any other way.
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Hey! What’s wrong with a birthday month? 😉
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Jackie, I think we should change that. I think the older you get, the longer the celebration should be. We’ve earned it, right?
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I would absolutely vote for your kid! Awesome idea as long as he extends it to adults,too!
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How about a birthday week? I’m giving you permission to take an entire week this year! 😉
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I thought it sucked that they made a big deal of the kids who’s birthday was during the school year and those of us with summer birthdays had to share a celebration.
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I totally agree, Bearman. I have a birthday in July and I always felt ripped off. I never got to bring in cupcakes. 😦
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He thinks it sucks to go to school on your birthday? How about losing your birthday to Christmas? I’m only 3 days off Christmas, so Christmas OR birthday presents!
(OK, now get Jay out of the room. Is he out?)
My mom quickly came up with a cool alternative. Since three out of the four in our family had birthdays in December, Thanksgiving became our day to celebrate birthdays. But it still gives you a pity point! 😀 )
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Ugh…the dreaded, “Here’s your birthday/Christmas present.” I’ve heard rumors. 😦
Your mom sounds like a great lady. I like her style. 🙂
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I would’ve loved to hook you two up. I bet she would’ve remembered stuff my sister and I pulled that would have your kids bright green with envy! Or more likely, stupid stuff my Dad and I did in the name of home repair. I seem to remember being used as a weight on a big drill trying to bore a hole through our basement’s foundation (lending new meaning to that 70s term “sit on it and rotate”!).
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John, with all your crazy stories, I am certain your mom must have been one entertaining lady.
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Jay is honing his skills to become a government worker. (Note to government workers: Please do not send me hate mail. Thanks.)
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I think he’s already a firm believer in “work less, play more.”
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Hahahahaha! I like what Life in the Boomer Lane said. (And, I was a gov’t worker for 10yrs.) Pretty funny stuff.
I continue to enjoy Jay’s take on life. Had I not already met my 4 pint quota for the month, I would have enjoyed some Ben & Jerry’s in honor of Jay. Hmm… maybe my husband will give me a birthday pass this month. Just this once.
P.S. Happy Anniversary to Jay … the anniversary of his birth. 9yrs – like Rob and me!
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Happy anniversary and congrats on 9 years! Tom and I celebrated 14 years yesterday.
I’m sending out a toast to you and Rob…Cheers!
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We gotta do something special next year! 10 for Rob and Lenore, 15 for you and Tom, and 20 for Tamy and I! That’s GOTTA be some kind of special occurrence! 😀
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That is super cool, John! Interestingly enough – my Mom turns 80 and my brother turns 50. 2012 is a big year!! Sure hope the Mayans are wrong. 🙂
Happy belated anniversary to you and Tom, Nancy!
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This is scary – I turn 50 the day after the Mayans claim we all go POOF! (Well, they don’t say THAT, but that’s what modern society has adopted.) That DEFINITELY makes next year something special I say…. (and you GOTTA expect this) …..
Party at Nancy’s house! 😉 😀
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Very cool…for all of us! 2012 will be a big year, but I hesitate to get too excited because my children are convinced that the Mayan calendar is accurate. Where did they hear this, you ask? They heard it on the bus, of course. 😦
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Hilarious. By the time I got to high school I have to admit I took scheduled a “mental health” day once a month. That meant two in November when my birthday also occurred.
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I think you and Jay would get along fine. 😉
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My boy came home from grade 3, said “OK, Im done with school, I know how to read and write” I couldn’t argue with him but sent him to grade 4 anyway, kinda like an undergraduate thing.
Great post, and love your site.
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Fourth grade is overrated anyway…just ask Judy Blume. 😉
Peter, thanks so much for your kind words. Much appreciated!
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I agree with Jay. I have been arguing for celebrating “birthweeks” for some time now, to no avail. Maybe he and I should pool our resources.
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Sounds like a possible uprising. You take the moms at the bus stop and he’ll get the kids on the playground at recess.
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If Jay could only do something cool, like discover a country or something he could probably swing a public holiday for his birthday 🙂
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That’s a possibility. He’s been digging a hole in the backyard for weeks now. 😉
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Once again, I’m with Jay on the birthday thing.
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I’m fond of the birthday week. What do you think, Ms. Mouse? 😉
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I think three days is what everyone should get. The day before, of, and after.
I guess workaholics should have the option of spending it at work. It is their birthday after all and that’s what they like.
No… because then they’d expect all of us to do the same.
Sorry workaholics.
Wait a minute… workaholics get their way already! They must be the ones making the rules!
Kill the workaholics!
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Workaholics are no fun. They are way too uptight and serious. Did I mention, I am NOT a workaholic. 😉
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Getting off school on your birthday is a great idea. I’d like to get off work, too.
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Welcome, Thoughts Appear! I think you should have off on your birthday. I’ll call you out sick.
Thanks for reading. 🙂
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I had to go to work on my 51st birthday. That’s just the way it goes Jay…
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