Well, the last year has been one like no other, hasn’t it? But, despite everything that’s been thrown at all of us around the world, I think it’s flown by. And it’s time once again to share the latest answers to the 20 fun birthday questions that I’ve been asking Flora since she was three. Regular readers of my blog will know I first came across this birthday quiz on Pinterest. And it’s now a family tradition we both look forward to every year. In March, our beautiful, kind, intelligent, loving, magical nutcase of a birthday girl is going to be 11 years old. No longer a child, but not yet a teenager. At least in years – attitude on the other hand…
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What did the birthday girl say last year?
Last year she still had her heart set on becoming a Marine Biologist, and 2020 also saw dragons completely outed in favour of horses. Not something I’m sad about as I’m a keen rider too, and it’s lovely to be able to do this together on holiday. Some proper, quality mother-daughter time. And despite COVID, we did manage a couple of rides together in Cornwall last summer – fingers crossed for this year too.
And what does the birthday girl say this year?
Fast forward 12 months and the answers to her 20 fun birthday questions aren’t wildly different, although there’s one notable exception at the end.
1. What is your favourite colour? | Cyan |
2. What is your favourite toy? | Breyer and Schleich horses* |
3. What is your favourite fruit? | Nectarines |
4. What is your favourite tv show/film? | Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back |
5. What is your favourite thing to eat for lunch? | Mozzarella sticks or a Gouda cheese baguette |
6. What is your favourite outfit? | Blue whale sweatshirt and tan leggings (because it looks like the sea and sand) |
7. What is your favourite game? | Among Us or Roblox |
8. What is your favourite snack? | Mozzarella sticks or Pringles |
9. What is your favourite animal? | Horses and ponies |
10. What is your favourite song/music? | Star Wars |
11. What is your favourite book? | Tintin graphic novels |
12. Who is your best friend? | Florence |
13. What is your favourite cereal? | Porridge and maple syrup |
14. What is your favourite thing to do outside? | Go riding |
15. What is your favourite drink? | White tea |
16. Where is your favourite holiday destination? | Lanzarote |
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? | Bessy (toy cat) |
18. What is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast? | Bacon toasties |
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? | Pancakes |
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? | Showjumper/Eventer |
* Getting creative with some outdoor photography and a couple of her favourite Breyer model horses. I’m sure she’ll be after her own Instagram page next.
20 fun birthday questions and answers – our family tradition
As you can see, horses and riding are dominant this year. Even though her original riding school very sadly closed altogether after the first lockdown. But she’s been coming on in leaps and bounds at her new riding school, thanks to a gorgeous horse called Coco and a very talented instructor. And despite a tinge of sadness that marine biology appears to be off the agenda, for the moment at least, I’m hugely proud of her riding ambitions. Now we just need to win the lottery so we can buy a couple of horses 🙂
As in previous years, I’m keeping her answers, along with a birthday photograph, in a folder to pass over to her when she turns 18. Which feels like it’s getting ever closer <sob>. But I hope she’ll enjoy looking back on her birthday questions and answers, because I think it’s such a fun way of tracking her tastes, loves, and ambitions. As she approaches her teenage years, I wonder if her answers at 18 will in any way resemble her answers at 3. But it’s going to be fun to find out, don’t you think? And in the meantime, Happy Birthday to Flora on 8 March, you are a gift and the light of our lives.
What do you think of Flora’s answers to these 20 fun birthday questions? Do you think they’re good birthday questions to ask? Are birthday quizzes things you’d like to do with your children, or nieces and nephews?
Nancy says
Happy birthday to Flora! I love how you can learn so much about a person from these simple questions. Star Wars being a favorite song – great job! Can definitely see her passion with horses. This is also a great way to have kids (ok, she is 11 but still!) be more self-confident with sharing about themselves 🙂
Nancy ✨
Lisa says
I hadn’t thought about the self-confidence angle but that’s so true – thank you, Nancy!
Claire Lomax says
I remember reading last years! I love this idea so much and I think it is a great way to document how much they change.
She really likes the Mozzarella sticks hey!
I hope Flora had a wonderful birthday and I look forward to next years post x x
Lisa says
Thank you, Claire – and yes, it seems so, I’d better get down to Aldi later! xx
Rosie Ireland says
This post is so sweet. I love that she’ll be able to look back on this in years to come and read her answers. What a beautiful way to use your channel!
Rosie
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Rosie, I hope she’ll love her answers too!
Katerina says
This is a fabulous tradition!! I’ve done something similar with my kids but not as regularly (or for as long) as you – I am so inspired by this, Lisa! And I am glad that you are able to have some quality mother daughter time together through horse riding – she does seem to have horses on her mind! Happy birthday to your lovely daughter!
Lisa says
Oh thank you so much, Katerina, that’s very kind – and great to hear you do something similar too! Yes, looking forward to better times when we can go riding together again 🙂
A Cup of Wonderland says
A Huge Happy Birthday to Flora! I don’t have children but I think this is just a lovely way to document your child and their thoughts and dreams as they grow up. Really lovely and I’m sure Flora will love looking back on this when she’s older too!
Lisa says
Thank you, Hannah, and yes, I hope she’ll enjoy looking back in due course too!
Cristina Rosano says
Happy birthday, Flora! This is such a great tradition to keep and I love the idea that you will keep all the answers and give them back to her! From a fellow lover of horses, you can see how much she loves them from the pictures! Hopefully, she will get to ride even more this year x
Lisa says
Thank you, Cristina – and yay, a fellow horse lover – hopefully we’ll all get to ride more regularly this year! x
Karalee Shotola says
Happy Birthday Flora! This is such a great idea & I want to start asking my daughter these questions & seeing how her answers change over the years.
Lisa says
It’s such a fun thing to do, I’m sure your daughter will love doing it too!
Della Driscoll says
This is post is so lovely and the perfect way to look back on as she gets older! Happy birthday to your little girl xx
Lisa says
Thank you, Della, I just don’t want her growing up so fast! x
Anca says
Happy birthday!!!
This is such an interesting tradition and one that she will, most likely, like to see as an adult. It’s interesting how things change from one year to another. I searched for her answers from last year and from 2019. It’s fascinating. It was so curious to see that her favourite colour changed, which is so unexpected.
Lisa says
Thank you 🙂 And yes, I hope she will – thank you so much for looking back on previous birthday posts too – that was definitely above and beyond!
Lauren says
What a lovely post. A big happy birthday for Flora today. I hope she is having a great day so far!
Lauren xx bournemouthgirl.com
Lisa says
Thank you, Lauren, I’m sure she is – and big thank you again for the notebook, she LOVES it! x
Jessica Khater says
I was a horseback rider and I love that Flora is into the equestrian world. She’s ambitious, adorable and has an impeccable taste in food. The ritual questions is such a lovely idea. I hope I’ll do it when I have kids.
Lisa says
Oh thank you so much, that’s so lovely of you! Not sure about the food but I’d agree 100% with the rest 🙂
Eleanor Jones says
Thank you for sharing this post, these are such cute and interesting ideas for a young birthday 🙂 thank you for sharing x
Lisa says
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the post x
Siobhan Gale says
Wow very grown up answers for an 11-year-old. And marine biologist, that’s an amazing career choice! Siobhan ♡
Lisa says
She is 11 going on 14 but yes, thank you!
Jenny in Neverland says
Ah Lisa I absolutely love these posts! I was a bit surprised to see marine biologist off the list though, I think she’s said that in every other one of these I’ve read! But regardless, she sounds like she knows what she wants and has a lot of ambition. Which is amazing. Plus she loves Star Wars and that instantly makes her like the coolest kid ever xxx
Lisa says
Thank you, Jenny! I know, I was too, but hopefully it will stage a comeback next year – yes, we’re very proud of everything she wants to achieve – go, Flora! xxx
Amie says
Oooh I absolutely love Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back! We are such a Star Wars family.
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Lisa says
They are such classic films aren’t they? 🙂
Sophie says
I can’t believe it’s time for this again! I love reading these every year and it’s so interesting to see what changes and what doesn’t. Her commitment to mozzarella this year is admirable 😂 X
Sophie
Lisa says
Thank you, Sophie, and yes, mozzarella is king this year, it seems!! x
Under Flowery Sky says
Happy birthday to your lovely. Interesting questions, surely it will be amazing
to see once in the future..
Lisa says
Thank you so much 🙂
Lynn Mejia says
Aw, this is super fun! What a great idea. She’ll love seeing her answers change every year when she’s older. I wanted to be a marine biologist before too and nectarines are one of my fav fruits as well. Hope she had the best birthday celebration! xx
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Lisa says
Thank you so much, I do hope so! Fingers crossed then 😂
Lucy says
This post is so adorable, happy birthday Flora! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Lisa says
Thank you! x
Jaya Avendel says
Ah, loved reading these fun answers and questions! Looking back on the finished folder will be a real treat, I am sure, even if it is a little bittersweet.
Cyan is a lovely color and a delicious taste in food is present here! Nectarines and Pringles are both delicious and I still enjoy the Tintin books. 🙂
Lisa says
Thank you, Jaya, that’s how I feel. Happy yet bittersweet 🙂
Ruth| Ruthiee loves Glamour says
First of all, happy birthday Flora!!! These are incredible questions Lisa! Your daughter does sound like a really clever and intelligent 11 year old. I feel like this is such a great way to have fun on her birthday and get to know her more as no matter how much we think we know someone, there will always be something we don’t know about them. I have always thought that marine biology is a fun career. I hope she has a blast!
Lisa says
Thank you, Ruth! Obviously I’m biased but yes, I love hearing how her answers change or remain the same year on year – here’s hoping she goes back to marine biology in due course 🙂
Monique says
Omg Lisa, this is so sweet and cool. When she grows older, she’ll look back and hug you for being an amazing mom! Nothing beats the old fashioned photograph album. Hopefully, her favorites will still be the same haha. God bless you and your family. Thank you for sharing!
Lisa says
Aw, thank you, I do hope so – fingers crossed!
Kelly Diane says
This is such a lovely idea. I wish my mum had done something similar when I was growing up because I would love to read what my answers would be. I love the snack choices Flora has chosen.
Lisa says
Thank you, Kelly, I’m so glad I started this – hooray for Pinterest!
Fadima Mooneira says
Happy Birthday to your lovely daughter, Lisa. I believe your daughter is a very bright girl. I can see that she has the makings of a scientist.
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Fadima, that’s very kind!
Jodie | That Happy Reader says
I absolutely adore this idea! What a gift to give your daughter on her eighteenth birthday. Thank you for sharing!
Lisa says
Thank you, Jodie, I hope she’ll love it too 🙂
Claire S says
I love this idea, what a great family tradition. I’m going to try this soon with mine x
Lisa says
Thank you, I hope your family enjoy it too x
Ellie Phillips says
This is such a lovely wholesome post Lisa, hope she has a lovely birthday! This is such a nice thing for her to be able to look back on when shes a bit older, definitely something I wish my mom had done for me!
Lisa says
Ah, thank you so much, Ellie, that’s very kind 🙂
Sara james says
It’s a great way to keep a record of what they liked as a kid. You are very supportive of her ambitions. My kid wanted to become a music teacher at 11 when he was taking music lessons:) I loved all the sweet answers, and I loved her choice of book.
Happy Birthday, Flora.
Lovely photos, Lisa.
Thanks for sharing xx
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Sara, that’s very kind of you – I’m curious now, did your son become a music teacher in the end? xx
Lindsey says
Aww I hope she has/had a wonderful birthday! And what awesome tastes in films as well, can never go wrong with Star Wars! I absolutely adore this idea of storing it all together – what an amazing way to reflect on how she has grown up and changes with new ambitions every year. (Is it bad that I’d still vote dragons for favourite animals?)
Lisa says
Thank you, Lindsey! Yes, I’m very proud of her film taste and I’m absolutely on board with you about the dragons, I’d vote for them too!
Nikki - Notes of Life says
My 11 year old niece still likes unicorns, but we went for a walk yesterday and as soon as she saw a couple of horses in a paddock, she was straight over to them! I’m guessing it won’t be long until she asks if I can take her horse riding (something which didn’t go well for me as a child!).
Lisa says
Oh dear, I’m sorry riding isn’t a good childhood memory – maybe it will be better this time around!
Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes says
Happy belated birthday, I was into horses at your daughters age, so it’s great to see her doing so well 🙂
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Nic 🙂