Tex woke up with a guffaw. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of khakis and a helmet. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the guest room was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited two of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend seven hours playing fun games like Cootie and blackjack. His dad was planning to make plenty of Froot Loops and ramen noodles for everyone. Tex would try to blow out all twenty-six candles on the purple and turquoise cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Tex would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a water bottle! He hoped it would be a smumpy water bottle. His friend Gretchen had said she would give him a nail, and his dad always gave him cool stuff like the flute she gave him last year. Tex could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a snowstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of khakis. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the hayfield. He would have to wear a bolo tie instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his helmet.
He proceeded downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like fresh-baked bread. His dad was standing there with a candy thermometer in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a jeer.
"Hi Daddy!" Tex replied calmly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the Froot Loops," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra ramen noodles. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Tex replied caustically. "Do we have the ramen noodles ready?"
"I'm going to wait until three o'clock to start that," his father replied fiercely. "It only has to heat in microwave for seventy-two minutes."
"Okay," Tex replied elatedly. "I'm gonna go to the guest room."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some pumpkin pie in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the guest room first?" he begged.
"It looks just like it always does," his father replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Tex responded, as he sat down to his pumpkin pie. "Let's hang lots of aquamarine balloons and cover the couch and the armoire with chocolate brown crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father offhandedly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Elena Kong. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a grater."
"Yummy," Tex responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a pound of the chest. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."