Birthday Party Traditions

Birthday parties have always been something I cherish, especially the unique traditions that families and friends share to make the day special. In my family, we had a tradition where Mom would cook your favorite meal and bake your favorite cake – except when it was her birthday, then Dad would take over. I can still vividly recall everyone’s favorites: Dad loved steak with pineapple upside-down cake, Mom enjoyed meatloaf paired with butter cake, my brother couldn’t get enough of spaghetti and carrot cake, and I always looked forward to tater tot casserole with German chocolate cake.

Speaking of birthdays, did you know Prevent Child Abuse Iowa is celebrating a milestone in 2025? It’s going to be our 50th anniversary! To mark the occasion, we are planning a free, family friendly birthday party on Sunday, June 22, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Reiman Gardens in Ames. The event will feature fun activities like taking photos with Elwood, the world’s largest gnome, strolling through the butterfly garden, superheroes, and much, much more. Be sure to mark your calendar now and stay tuned for more exciting details!

Can’t wait to wear my birthday hat!