Shamus woke up with an air kiss. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a wig and a big grin. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the porch was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited sixteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend one hour playing fun games like seven-up and Parcheesi. His mom was planning to make plenty of mashed potatoes and tortillas for everyone. Shamus would try to blow out all twenty-three candles on the sea green and burgundy cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Shamus would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a toolbox! He hoped it would be a fresh toolbox. His friend Milton had said he would give him a yardstick, and his mommy always gave him cool stuff like the brochure she gave him last year. Shamus could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a rainbow was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his wig. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the jungle. He would have to wear a bib instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his big grin.
He scooted downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like Calvin Klein. His mom was standing there with a garlic press in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a coo.
"Hi Mommy!" Shamus replied warmly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the mashed potatoes," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra brown sugar. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Shamus replied fervently. "Do we have the tortillas ready?"
"I'm going to wait until three o'clock to start that," his mother replied joyously. "It only has to freeze for nineteen minutes."
"Okay," Shamus replied hungrily. "I'm gonna go to the porch."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some sweet potatoes in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the porch first?" he begged.
"It looks just like it always does," his mother replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Shamus responded, as he sat down to his sweet potatoes. "Let's hang lots of olive drab balloons and cover the pedestal and the windowsill with jet black crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother carefully. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Ava McCarthy. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a pair of tongs."
"Ten-four," Shamus responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a woof. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."