Leo’s Fourth Birthday (example memory)

Leo asked for a dinosaur party, then a pirate party, then — the night before — a party “with just cake.” We split the difference: dinosaurs in the morning, cake by noon, and by two o’clock a backyard full of four-year-olds doing what they do best, running in circles for no reason. Kevin got roped into holding the parachute game and lasted twenty minutes longer than any adult should.

Leo blew out his candles before the song was finished, so we sang it again while he waited, eyes squeezed shut, very patient. His wish is a secret, but he told Grandpa Walter anyway, and Grandpa says it involves a real stegosaurus. Mia, five and deadly serious about being the big sister, took charge of the goody bags. The cake was gone in an hour. The photos will last a lot longer.