Birthdays and Pathos

Donny's friend, Leo, had a birthday party today.  It was in the lovely room they use for a gym at Waldorf.  The invitation asked for artwork or cards as presents so Donny and I made Leo a paperchain.  We put it in a gift bag and halfway to the busstop, Donny asked where it was.  It not only had fallen out of the bag (which was being held by Donny) but had managed to get blown up Herron Avenue.  Herron Avenue on a Saturday?  Busy!  We managed to chase it down and it managed not to get run over or wound around an axle.

Donny was very happy all the way to the party and was all excited to hand Leo the bag and say, "Happy Birthday, Leo!"  All that went well.  And he had a great time running around playing with a red balloon.

And then the balloon popped.

O, Sweet Jesus: it was the end of the world.

The poor kid--his face just crumpled and he came running over to me from across the room.  It took awhile but I finally got him calmed down.  He had some cake and took a blue balloon with him when we left.  And halfway to the bus stop he asked where it was.  It had come off the ribbon and blown behind us under a parked truck.  I told Donny to stay on the sidewalk and I got down on my hands and knees in the street to get it.

And then the balloon popped.

O, Sweet Jesus--the world ended AGAIN and THIS time he had someone to blame: Me.  "You...you...you BROKE my ballOOOOOON! [sob, sob, sob]"

Mike is going out now to make a grocery store run.  Of course in our grocery shopping we did'nt get any cocoa or confectioners sugar.  Why would we?  Its not like we're going to be making any birthday cakes or...Ohhhh...  He's also going to, hopefully, pick up a nice sturdy Mylar balloon.  One that won't pop quite so easily.  I'm hoping he'll be a happy birthday boy tomorrow when he wakes up to see a shiny new balloon in his room.

Here are some pictures from the party.  Despite the pathos, it was a very sweet party and, in between the angst, we had a very nice time.