I'm laying with my back on the sand, not caring that my shirt is getting dirty. Mom doesn't seem to mind, either, because she's got her head tipped so that she can smell every inch of the salt water. We had spent the last hour building sand castles, which now layed in destroyed piles around us. Glancing at the watch on her arm, Mom sat up and looked at me.
"Dinner should be ready in five minutes, okay? I'm expecting you up there."
"Yes, mother." I replied, watching her get up and leave. Rolling my eyes, I dipped my feet in the warm water, digging my toes deep into the mud and giggling at how wierd it felt. Holding my toy boat carefully with one hand, I made a ripple with the other and allowed the plastic object to sail slowly along the shoreline.
This day had been absolutly perfect, and I never wanted to leave. Because we were here for a very special occasion.
It was my sixth birthday party.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR CHARLIE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!" The cake Dad had made was absolutly delicious. Add a little cherry soda with it? Bam. Goodness in a cup. The perfect birthday party.
Mom set a present in front of me. "Do you want to open it now, sweetheart?"
I nodded and pulled the bow off, opening the box and looking inside and squealing in delight.
There, on it's back, was the cutest teddy bear that I had ever seen! It had on a red hat with beady eyes, and a small smile that made me feel all warm inside. Dad grinned as I continued squealing and hugging the toy close to my chest.
"We knew you'd love it." Mom said. "After all, you've always liked bears. When I saw this, I thought 'would he just love to have this as a gift?'!"
"Thanks, Mom. Thank you, Dad." I said wrapping my arms around the two of them. "This was the best birthday ever."
