On December 6, we surprised Bernadette with a St. Nicholas Baking Birthday Party. We told her that we had invited some friends over to join us in our annual St. Nicholas Day baking and crafts. As Bernadette’s friends were arriving, she was cleaning her bedroom (actually, knowing Bernadette, she was probably reading a book, drawing, or playing). Eventually, she wandered into the living room and her friends said, “Surprise!” I then explained that it was a birthday party for her. Bernadette responded, “For me?”

All of the girls enjoyed baking and decorating sugar cookies and Polish honey cakes, and playing pass the parcel. After everyone left, Brendan asked, “Will my birthday ever fall on St. Nicholas’ feast day?” I was happy to know that he liked his sister’s birthday, too.