The mouse turns one

Mouse at one

Hickory, dickory, dock.  The Mouse ran up the clock.  The clock struck one, the Mouse ran down.  Hickory, dickory, dock.

“I’m one today,” roared the Mouse.  Well, not in so many words.  He’s no longer content to sit and watch the animals in the jungle.  He wants to join in.  Literally.  As the GAP created the perfect rainforest waterfall, the Mouse crawled behind yanking crepe paper streamers simulating water down, pulled green construction paper leaves from the shady elm taped to the wall, and tossed wild beasts from their resting spots as though they were mere stuffed animals.

The Mouse wasn’t interested in the cake.  Eating is not his favorite thing.  Where’d that gene come from?  He wasn’t interested in the presents.  But when his sister, the Worm, belted out (in her “man voice,” she calls it) “1-877-kars for kids, k-a-r-s kars for kids, 1-877-kars for kids, donate your car today” the Mouse bobbed his head back and forth in sync with her.  So much for Happy Birthday to You.

There are babies with as pretty of blue eyes as the Mouse (but have to admit, not many).  There are babies who are more advanced, who walk and talk, and mimic adult actions better than the Mouse.  There are babies with thicker and more dutiful hair (but not many with as pretty strawberry blond).  There are those who scrunch up their face in so many cute poses.  There are those who give slobbery kisses.  Maybe even a few who delight in being held upside down like a sack of flour.  So what makes the Mouse the best one-year-old in the world?  Could it be that he thinks his grandma is the cat’s meow?  Probably has a little to do with it.

Happy birthday, Maddo.

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2. Play it again, grandma
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4. Fifty-thirteen
5. Fairy dust