by Raenell Ochampaugh

Once there was a little boy named Johnny. Now Johnny had three sisters; a little one, a
middle size one, and a big one.

Johnny was born in the second to the last month of the year, November. But ALL of
Johnny’s sisters were born in the second month to the beginning of the year, February.

His little sister, Debbie, was born on February 6. His middle sister, Cindy, was born on
February 25. And his big sister, Dawn, was born on February 29.

When it was February, all of Johnny’s sisters got real excited. They knew they were going
to have a birthday that month.

Dawn thought her birthday would be first since she’s the oldest, but on February 6 the
family celebrated Debbie’s birthday.

Dawn thought that was odd. She was the oldest and thought her birthday should be first.

Then it was February 25 and the family celebrated Cindy’s birthday. Dawn still thought
it was very odd that her birthday didn’t come first.

It seemed pretty normal that Cindy’s birthday was in the middle. But Dawn thought she
should have already had her birthday: First.

So, when the family celebrated Dawn’s birthday last, she went to the calendar to check
out the order of things. She knew she was the oldest. So it only made sense, to her,
that her birthday be first.

When Dawn pulled the calendar from the wall she noticed something very odd. So she
looked again and it still looked very odd. She counted the days in February.

There were only twenty-eight!

She showed the calendar to her parents. “Wasn’t I born on February 29?” she asked them.
“Yes, you were,” they said.

“Well then why isn’t it on the calendar?” Dawn exclaimed as she presented the family with
the calendar showing February with only 28 days.

They all looked at the calendar and saw only 28 days showing. 

Dawn was so confused. Her birthday didn’t come first like she thought is should. It didn’t
come last either because it wasn’t even ON the calendar!

“How come?” she thought to herself. Dawn looked at her parents “How come my birthday
isn’t on the calendar like everyone else’s?” she asked. "Debbies name is in the 6 box.
Cindy's name is in the 25 box. And my name is in an EMPTY BOX! Where's my birthday!?"

Her parents tried to explain. “It is kind of confusing,” said her Dad. “But there is a very special
reason the 29^th is not on the calendar…yet.”

Johnny and all three of his sisters were surprised when their Dad said “yet”. They couldn’t
wait to find out what was so special about why Dawn's birthday is on the calendar. 

“February 29 is not on the calendar because it is not a Leap Year this year.” Said their
Mother. “February 29 is on the calendar every four years.” She finished.

 “Why?” asked the children.

Their Mother continued. “Every four years is a Leap Year and Leap Day is February 29."
Dawn got excited “That’s my birthday!” But then suddenly she was sad.

“Why does my birthday only come every four years and everyone else’s birthday is every
year?” she asked sadly. “That’s not fair.” 

“Well,” said their Dad, “Leap Year only comes every four years because it’s the day that
keeps the calendar in balance.”

Johnny and his three sisters did not understand what was so special about that. 

What they didn’t understand is that people depend on the seasons.

Their Mother explained that Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter happen the same time
every year because of Leap Day.

Fruits and vegetables and flowers grow only in certain seasons and we need to know
what to plant and when to plant it so it will grow.

"Think of it this way," explained their Mother. "You know how when you are swinging on a
swing next to someone, and you are swinging exactly together?"

The children giggled and nodded their heads. "It's all in the timing when we are swinging
exactly together." Cindy proclaimed. "Yes," said Mother, "Exactly. Well, the seasons are
kind of like that."

The children furrowed their brows in confusion. Their Mother continued, "The seasons
happen at the same time each year. It's like they are swinging exactly together with the
calendar."

"If we didn't have Leap Year Day, the seasons would not happen at the same time each year.
The seasons and the calendar's timing would be off, like when you're not swinging at the
exact same time anymore. If that happens, our holidays will end up in different seasons."

Well, the children soon realized how special Leap Year Day is and thought it was pretty
cool that their oldest sister was born on that day. 

Because Dawn was born on February 29 she is a Leap Year Day Baby. She is happy to be
a Leap Day Baby too. She now understands why her birthday is not on the calendar every
year like other people’s birthday.

And just because a Leap Day Baby’s birthday is not on the calendar every year does not
mean they don’t get a birthday. They certainly do.

When it is not a Leap Year they can celebrate on February 28, because they were born on
the last day of February. They can also celebrate on March 1 because they were born on
the day after February 28.

Some Leap Day Babies celebrate on both because they can!  When do you think Dawn
celebrates her birthday when it's not on the calendar?
 
If she would like to, Dawn may join the birthday clubs that are for people whose birth date
is not on the calendar every year. They're for people born on February 29, Leap Year Day.

They're for Leap Day babies like Johnny’s sister. 

© 1995 Raenell Ochampaugh
Learn more about Leap Year at www.leapyearday.com
(If you are an educator, please be sure to click on the TEACHERS page).
Raenell's Bio
 

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