Celebrate your Birthday in Antarctica! This was my suggestion to my 8 year old son Matthew. I have 4 kids and alone time to focus on any of them is at a premium in our busy schedule of kenpo practices, Little League games, and a half dozen clubs. I decided that the only way to offer them undivided attention is to take them away individually- each …

We departed the port of Ushuaia in the afternoon to set sail across the Drake Passage. We were blessed with a relatively smooth crossing. My mom and I handled the bumpy waters without incident. Poor Matthew got a bit queasy and didn't feel much like eating on the first day. By the second day, he was feeling much better and we were rewarded …

On the morning of my 40th birthday, our Expedition Leader announced our first views of the Antarctic Continent. The first land I stepped on a decade older was Antarctica itself. What a wonderful way to celebrate a milestone that otherwise might feel a bit gloomy! No Over the Hill balloons for me!

Instead, I celebrated with penguins and a stunning …