My kid had a birthday yesterday. I've kept him alive for a year. This feat was preceded by activities similar to dating one's way up the food chain. First, I kept a pointsettia alive for a year. Then a fish. Then a cat, who stuck around for like four years until Alex got a cat of his own and my cat took off. And now my son. Crazy. But great. There were ten grown-ups and three babies at his party and we all had a blast. My home-canned mango salsa was a hit.

Click on each picture to see it full-sized and with clever exposition.

Oh, and please note that the next post, “Effing kittens,” is kind of a bummer and should probably be skipped altogether.

That is all… until MY birthday, three days from now. Turkey and cake on the same day. Whoo!