FEBRUARY 29, 2024, is a leap year day, granting those born on this day the rare opportunity to celebrate their actual birthday date that occurs only every four years.

While this elite group of people, sometimes called leap day babies, typically celebrate their birthday on the intervening years on February 28, or March 1, this year Hamilton’s Lilly Turnbull celebrated on February 29 for the second time only in her life.

While technically eight years old, Lilly said she felt extra special for getting to mark the occasion on Thursday on the proper date on which she was officially born.

Lilly felt a bit embarrassed with all the fuss but said her ‘2nd’ birthday had been very special.

“I’m actually eight,” she said.

“I’m superwoman.

“Today has been very special.”

Sharing her birthday with Lilly is another Hamilton leap year baby, Bella Hadden.

Bella also feels honoured to be a member of the special cohort who only gets to legitimately celebrate a birthday every four years.

Likewise, she is celebrating eight years of life, but only for the second time on her actual birthday.

Bella said having her photo taken by The Spectator was one of the best parts of her birthday this year.

“But also the whole school sang happy birthday today,” she said.

Bella’s grandmother Raelene Hadden said although February 29 was her actual birthday, the family celebrated on the intervening years on February 28 because she was born before lunch.

“We sneak a birthday in between,” she said.