It is early (Grace’s birthday is in a month), but Grace had her birthday circle at school today. Penny – the head directress in Grace’s class – is pregnant and this is her last week before maternity leave. Grace really wanted her to be there, so we organised a very early birthday circle.

The birthday circle is centred around a big candle which represents the sun. The blocks with the names of the months are positioned all around the candle.

They then start by speaking about Grace when she was 0 and what she did and needed when she was 0. There are photos of her at each age, which she gets to show the class as they go along.

There is also a globe, and after discussing a particular age, Grace gets to walk around the sun (candle) with her globe as the rest of the class calls out the months of the year. When she gets all the way around, then the discussion of the next age begins.

Once she has gone around the sun once for each age, they all sing happy birthday.

Eli could fortunately join us. When we arrived the toddlers were in the playground, and he came over to us from his classmates. As we start to walk to Grace’s class he says, “Say bye to my people.”

Line up for some treats!

The awesome fruit owl that Donné made

Grace directed the fruit and muffin selection