Ryan shared his birthday this year with the Family Get-Together Tom organized for his extended family. We had steamed crabs, birthday cakes for three different people--Ryan, Britty and our houseguest Kerry (who turned 21 in NYC yesterday), games for the kids and far too much food. There were a few members of the family I have never met--mostly spouses and children--and others we haven't seen in over ten years. We talked and played and reminisced. It was a good day. At the end of it, I wanted to give Ryan his birthday present before he and his family went home. I called the close family members inside to watch. As we walked into the house, Ryan said "I hope it's not just a hug and a kiss!" I took this to mean he hoped all these people weren't being called inside to watch him get kissed by Grandma. Mommy wasn't so sure he didn't just mean he wanted a fun present!
Later, I asked Ryan if he'd had fun on his birthday. He thoughfully responded "Not as much as last year. But I am older, so I can handle it!" The boy makes me laugh! Turns out, he thought the entire day was his only birthday celebration. He was much pleased to learn he gets to have a party with his friends later.
