Here’s how families are
A s we all adjust to life in lockdown, one big change many
families have had to make is how they celebrate birthdays.

It’s disappointing that in-person parties can’t happen right
now, but birthdays during coronavirus have the opportunity to be
even more memorable. All it takes is a little bit of creativity and
planning. Kimberly Neal of Catonsville was supposed to celebrate her 40th
birthday on March 25 by flying to Italy with her husband. Instead of
waking up early to catch a flight, however, she woke to a front yard
decorated by neighbors with wine bottles, balloons and a huge “40
and Fine as Wine” sign.

Neal’s family planned a fun-filled day that included yoga at home
and take out from her favorite restaurants. She even dressed up for
dinner in a black cocktail dress with a tulle skirt, did her hair and
makeup and wore a 40th tiara bedazzled in rhinestones.

“My husband grilled steaks, and he, my son, and I ate dinner using
fine china and crystal. The entire day was amazing,” says Neal.

When Neal’s son turned eight a few weeks later, he chatted with
friends and family on Zoom and happily rode his bike all day. “In
these situations, you have to make lemonade from lemons,” she says.

Turning something disappointing into something amazing is
what Colleen Watson did for her six-year-old son, Mason, who was
going to have his birthday party in March at a local Ninja Warrior
course. Instead, the Potomac mom coordinated a birthday parade with
more than 30 friends wishing him a happy birthday from bikes and
cars decked out with balloons and streamers.

“At first, he was really sad because we couldn’t have his party,
but then he was so happy with the amount of people that came by.

All his classmates, family and friends. It was really special,” says
Watson. “He especially loved when people threw out candy to him.

He said it was the best birthday party ever.”
When Mason’s friend Ryan turned six on April 1, his mom,
22 Washington FAMILY MAY 2020