Boreal Witch

This year was a strange year for your birthday, and I apologize for that. You see, we had gone to Nashville for spring break. Your birthday fell on that Monday. You looked around the table at dinnertime, sighed, and stated very matter-of-factly: "I guess none of my friends are coming to my party tonight."

Once we reassured you that your party - with your friends - would be held the Sunday we returned, you could not stop talking about it for the rest of the week. You mentioned it at the Lego Store. The zoo. Numerous times to Uncle Johnny and Uncle LeeBob. It became your favorite topic of conversation, which, in retrospect, is pretty normal for an excited five-year-old.

You wanted a Paw Patrol cake, so I obliged, making a chocolate cake with chocolate icing topped with Rubble, one of your Paw Patrol dogs. He had dug a hole in the first layer with his tiny excavator which I had liberally sprinkled with blue candy crystals and cake crumbs to emulate dirt.

Many friends came to your birthday party, most of whom you had not seen since last summer. You insisted upon not inviting anyone from your class - which I found amusingly odd since you  always speak quite fondly of Hector and Andrew and Zachary.

You received many new Paw Patrol toys - most from your Auntie Blythe - and some fun Star Wars books that you have already read over and over again.

This year, Balin, I hope you continue to grow from a toddler into a charismatic, lovable little boy. I hope you keep practicing your knock-knock jokes and learn to tell them with ease and perfect timing. I want for you to continue to make people laugh.

Blessed be.