Happy Birthday to X

Yesterday was X's birthday. I have been telling him for the past week that he could choose whatever he wants to have for lunch and dinner. He could even invite his friends to join him for both meals. This is considered a birthday present for him since we did not get anything for him this year because we have bought the Prince of Persia Lego set for the boys this year and it is considered an early birthday present since it is expensive and exceeds our toy's budget for the year.

As X is an introvert boy, he did not tell any of his friends about his birthday. He only told our upstairs neighbour about it since he was trying to ask the neighbour to buy a Lego present for him.

Knowing him as someone who does not put any importance on food, he decided to have leftover black bean soup and rice for lunch! When coaxed to invite his friends for dinner, he decided on our two neighbours and chosen McDonald's because they can go to the playground after that. He did not want to go to TGIF's for fear that the staff will sing birthday song to him.

When I accompanied the four boys to McDonald's for dinner, I was being left alone immediately after they finish their meals. I wondered how I managed to keep a tight rein on the four active youngsters in the first place. As they were enjoying themselves at the playground, I was being left alone to enjoy my magazine and needlework. I tried playing one of X's friend's Nintendo DS but I could not even get pass the start screen since everything was written in Korean.

Giving up any attempt to play any electronic games, I finally asked the boys to leave the place since I tried to catch The Amazing Race Asia later on TV. On the way home, I asked X to choose a birthday cake. The expensive cake he chose was left to melt, though, when we reached home, after we sang the birthday song. Can you believe no one wants to eat the cake because their appetite is poured into their games?

The four boys again continue their play until the respective friends' parents threatened them to go home. Even after his friends went home, X and W continued to play and built their new Lego. Sigh! I tried to be more lenient just because it was his birthday and he wanted to enjoy it to the fullest. According to his words.

Just this once.