When my friend Katie Rosman made each of her kids a photo book for Hannukah, I loved the idea. And when I heard that she had compiled her son Ari’s funny text messages, I was inspired. She had created something personal that her children can keep forever.

With this in mind, I decided to start a tradition right here, right now – to write a poem for my children’s birthdays, starting with my oldest, Ella, who is 7 today. I want her to look back and see who she was at age seven and then every year after. So here it is, the start of what I intend to be a new family tradition:

Happy Birthday, Ella

It was years ago, exactly seven
That you joined the world at around eleven

At first, your beauty took our breath away
Now it is your mind that amazes us each day

You are a great big sister and a leader too
You burst with creativity and love the color blue

Everything you do has your own “Ella” spin
You never met a baby whose heart you didn’t win

From lox to hearts of palm and more
You try all new foods and often adore

Your sense of humor is so funny and witty
You fall, you cry, but you don’t self-pity

You used to prefer baths, now you like showers
You love Lego and building tall towers

Sudoku with mom, biking with dad
A great adventure is always had

You love to climb walls, monkey bars and trees
All on your own, you now say “please”

You burst with curiosity and passion
You always prefer comfort to fashion

Rather than copying, you do your own thing
When drawing or solving, uniqueness you bring

On this day, from the rooftops we shout
We love you more than possible, inside and out

Whatever the topic, big or small
We hope our listening will ease it all

Always reach for the stars, through any cloud
Of you, Ella, we are ever so proud.

Do you have family traditions around birthdays? What are they? How did they unfold?

Filed under: kids by Samantha Ettus on 01/24/2013