Albert woke up with a smirk. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a big smile and a tutu. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the library was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited two of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend two hours playing fun games like leapfrog and Simon Says. His dad was planning to make plenty of tortillas and squash blossom soup for everyone. Albert would try to blow out all seven candles on the jade and jade cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Albert would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a pickle! He hoped it would be an aromatic pickle. His friend Taylor had said she would give him a clarinet, and his cousin always gave him cool stuff like the paper towel she gave him last year. Albert 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 big smile. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the island. He would have to wear a wet suit instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his tutu.
He walked downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like Givenchy. His dad was standing there with a strainer in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a kiss.
"Hi Daddy!" Albert replied woefully. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the tortillas," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra water chestnuts. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Albert replied confidently. "Do we have the squash blossom soup ready?"
"I'm going to wait until eleven o'clock to start that," his father replied lazily. "It only has to spread into container for eighty-five minutes."
"Okay," Albert replied strictly. "I'm gonna go to the library."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some ham in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the library 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," Albert responded, as he sat down to his ham. "Let's hang lots of hot pink balloons and cover the bed and the bar stool with yellow crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father lickety-split. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Karen Pope. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a chopstick."
"Fribblenootums," Albert responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a squint. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."