Feliz cumpleaños

Today is Sam's birthday. He is happier than I've ever seen him. He woke up a few minutes early and came running into our room, with a huge grin from ear to ear, singing happy birthday to himself. He gave me a gigantic hug (bigger than I'm used to) and ran downstairs to open his presents. He asked for a dummy. So that's what he got. When he opened the box and this little boy puppet with a striped shirt just like his popped out he squealed with glee. Nothing beats making your kid buzz with joy. It's contagious and quickly I got into a giddy mood too.

So as good as we've been about cutting back the screen time (and we have been - I swear!) all Sam wants to do to celebrate is go to Funplex. I couldn't hate it there more but it's like heaven on earth to him so we're making a Friday night out of it. Doesn't get any better than that!!

Dinner was my favorite part of the day. We stopped at Don José on the way to Funplex.  While you might think that Mexican would be a minefield of dairy, the corn chips, salsa, chicken fingers (olé) and fries were all ok for him. And they have apple juice. Perfection.

While Sam went to the bathroom, we asked the waitress if the lone mariachi could serenade Sam with happy birthday. Absolutely. What makes it even better?  They have fried bananas that are dairy free. Delicious! The staff surrounded our table and placed a giant purple sombrero on Sam's head of curls. It took him a moment to figure out what everyone was singing and to who. He couldn't believe it was for him and as the song continued his smile grew.  When the song came to an end he blew out his candle and exclaimed - that was unexpected! He actually ate the banana (never would have thought he would) and thanked us for the special birthday. And off we went to a night filled with screens and over stimulation of his poor little lopsided brain.