Page 24

June

"Happy Birthday, Oreo!" Luke shouts excitedly when I walk into the room. I laugh at the nickname. A chorus of 'Happy birthdays' come from around the room. We're at Luke and Rachel's house for this party. It's kind of a surprise. My birthday is this Saturday, so when Daddy said we were having a last-minute playdate with everyone I got suspicious.

There are all kinds of decorations around the room. Balloons, streamers, and everything Ninja Turtle! I turn around to Daddy and wrap my arms around his neck. "I love it! Thank you, Daddy."

He gives me a quick kiss and taps my padded butt, telling me to go enjoy the party while he fixes some things in the kitchen. I do as I'm told and join the others already here. They're all playing blocks and I join right in to the game. Tyler is here too, with the Daddy that Rachel knows. He's on his phone though, while the others are all watching us or talking to each other. I don't pay too close attention to it or think too much. Tyler is smiling and playing, having fun. That's what this is all about.

I get tired of being inside and ask Rachel if we can go outside. She tells me not yet and I give her my best skeptical face, which makes her and Remi both laugh. I don't know what is going on, but there's something in the backyard I'm not allowed to see yet.

"Is it a pinata?" I ask. Remi shakes his head. "A bouncy house?" Another shake. "Um, a petting zoo?"

My shoulders slump when Remi shakes his head once more. "You'll see soon, Oreo. Just go play. It shouldn't be too much longer."

"Fine." I roll my eyes, but go right back to playing. Rachel brings us a snack tray of cheese, crackers, and little meat cubes. We all eat until the tray is empty. We're then given sippy cups of juices. Cake and ice cream come soon after. I smile as everyone sings happy birthday. I get the first piece of cake and forego the fork. Most of us do, actually. There's a solid minute when all the Mommies and Daddies are cleaning our faces while we giggle.

"Okay!" Daddy says, coming back into the room after throwing away the napkin. He claps his hands together. "I have a big, messy surprise outside for all of you. Who's ready?"

The house fills with cheers and we all crowd together, waiting for the okay to go outside. We are handed white shirts to change into before Daddy explains what we're going to be doing.

"It's powder paint," Daddy says. "We've filled little bags of it with all different colors. You are allowed to throw it at each other and have fun, but please do not throw it in someone's face okay?"

"Okay!" We all shout at once.

This is the best birthday ever. We all race to grab one or two colors when Daddy gives the okay. For the next half an hour, we all run around the yard, yelling and throwing and having so much fun. I see Remi and Daddy join in a few minutes into it. Daddy finds me and smears a bright green color across my cheek with his hand and then across my shirt.

Austin and Remington are in much the same fight to get each other colored as much as possible. Luke, Quinton, and Tyler are all fighting each other. The whole backyard is so colorful and happy. I smile as I chase behind Daddy with a yellow pouch of color.

I get a good amount on his back and crack up laughing. Tyler sneaks in and throws a bright pink across my side, before he's blindsided with an orange to the whole side of his shirt. It's so funny and I can't stop laughing.

After the colored dust is all gone and either on our clothes or settled around the yard, we are sitting in the grass, brightly colored and very sweaty under the June heat. I'm lying with my head on Daddy's thigh. His fingers card through my hair.

"Thank you, Daddy. For everything. You are the best Daddy ever."

"And you're the best Little ever," he says. I beam up at him and close my eyes, letting the moment last as long as possible.