Birthdays are great for two things: cake with killer homemade frosting and jaunts down memory lane. In our house there’s a two-week period, beginning May 21 and ending May 29, where our cake and frosting quota exceeds the recommended yearly intake and jaunts become full-fledged treks.

On the 21st we celebrate Andrew’s birthday. He turned 16 this year despite his repeated attempts not to “make to your next birthday.” Andrew leads with his head – literally. By the time he was four, he had acquired four sets of stitches in his head: one above each eyebrow, one in his lower lip (which had been punctured by his teeth at 18 months), and one in the back of his head. He’s the kid who always has a band aid somewhere.

May 25th is Asher’s day. Asher, not to be outdone by his older brother, also makes valiant attempts at not showing up on his birthday every year. Not because he’s prone to knocking himself out like Andrew, though; he’s got legitimate health issues. We’ve actually celebrated his birthday in the hospital more than once. But, come to think of it, Asher’s also that kid who always has a band aid somewhere. Wait a minute…

Then there’s Madeline. Oh, dear, sweet Madeline. Her birthday is on the 29th, wrapping up the two-week-long festival of cake. Madeline who still rules her brothers threatening to shave off Andrew’s left eyebrow if he didn’t get out of bed so she could stop at Krispy Kreme on the way to school to bring donuts to her class to celebrate her birthday. (Of course he got up, do you have to ask?) Madeline who, upon looking at herself in the mirror the morning of her birthday, said, “I’m still short,” as if she fully expected to grow overnight. Madeline, age 14, who wore a “Happy Birthday” tiara to school “Just in case I forget it’s my birthday.”

Happy birthday, babies! I’m proud of each of you for making it one more year.

Oh, but I’m also proud of my oldest, Alex, who was gracious enough NOT to be born in May, thus easing the strain on my pocket book at least a little bit. He’s kinda my favorite for that.