Julia's Birthday Circle

Today was a confirmation of how amazing Waldorf is. Julia was so excited about her birthday circle and I could see why. Of course the parents bring in a "healthy cake" for their birthday child but what I saw and experienced with the class exceded my expectations. Everyone was seated in a circle and everyone had a flower from a bogenvilia. Next the song came about Julia's birthday and love from everyone while we each went around the circle giving her a flower in her basket and then a hug. Julia wore a cape and crown and three of her friends wore the same. Her teacher went through Julia's years and the parents were supposed to come up with a memory for each year. I wasn't prepared of course but came up with a few things and her teacher did a beautiful job. Then their was a story about an angel who found a family especially for Julia while her friend came dressed as the angel going around the circle and dropping her off back to us. Then she put out 5 candles 1 at a time with a song to symbolize each year and next finally came the regular birthday song. The class made her a card book with a picture from each teacher and child, she got magnets and a cape. It was much more of a ceremony and it was so touching and meaningful. I hope we can carry this tradition throughout the rest of her life. I like the idea of making a card and sharing stories of her life on her special day to celebrate it.