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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY

The twins were three years old!

Their little cake had three candles on each side

So they could blow them out together -

My half and your half.

They were thrilled.

 

Three days later Daddy turned thirty-three.

Of course, he had to have a cake too,

With thirty-three, pretty candles.

No candles was ever an option,

Nor the right number either.

 

The girls were napping when I iced the cake

And set blue candles all over the top.

I put it on the table in the open lounge -

Instantly seen.

They would be delighted.

 

I heard them stir and chatter,

The scuffle of feet.

I continued my clattery washing up.

They would know exactly where to find me.

But, suddenly, I realized how quiet it was.

 

Which needed investigation.

The girls were on the high, dining chairs

Bent over the table in rapt concentration,

Pressing each candle deep into the cake

Until it disappeared in the soft icing.

 

What is a mother supposed to do!

They looked deliciously guilty.

I couldn't imagine anything more fun.

I don't know whose idea it was.

I didn't ask.

 

'Well, there will be no blowing out today.

And we'll have to pick candles out of our pieces

Before we eat them.'

They were crestfallen.

They hadn't thought of that.

 

Actually, thirty-three candles in flame

Might have been a bit much anyway.

 


 

Cynthia Buell Thomas, August, 2020

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Comments

April Holt

Tue 12th Jan 2021 15:44

This made me smile. Love April x

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jennifer Malden

Sat 8th Aug 2020 16:00

Liked this one! Birthday cakes seem to be under fire. My mother's Fox Terrier, a real Artful Dodger, demolished one, turning it over as he didn't like the icing, eating all the cake, just leaving an icing shell! Another was eaten, candles and all, by a pony putting its head through the open window where the birthday party table had been set out.
Jennifer

<Deleted User> (18980)

Fri 7th Aug 2020 16:53

Not sure if you're aware Cynthia...it's a modern day probably U.S. imported thing - cake smashing! The toddler demolishes a birthday cake whilst a professional photographer takes pictures then sells them to you. You couldn't make it up!

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Fri 7th Aug 2020 16:40

This little 'episode' still gives me such a chuckle so many years later. I hope it makes someone else smile. Or even share a funny, family moment.

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