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Harry woke up at 5:50 this morning, which is nothing new. What was a little out of the ordinary was the fact that Kevin popped right out of bed when he heard Harry and me moving around in the living room. He did not want to miss the moment when Harry saw his birthday present.

Kevin picked out this gift more than two months ago, kept it hidden in the basement, and brought it upstairs last night after Harry went to bed. As Kevin went to the dining room to get it, Harry said, "Where's Daddy going?"

"He's getting a birthday surprise for you!" I said.

"Really big cake?" Harry asked, his eyes hopeful.

"No, your birthday present."

Kevin returned with the present.

Harry said, "It's not a cake."

Harry, warming up to his present. Ten minutes later, it was officially a hit.

Harry was, of course, pretty excited to see his cake after lunch. And this was the first year that Harry blew out the candles all by himself, and on the first try. More birthday festivies are on tap, including a minor league hockey game tonight and a trip to an amusement park tomorrow. If I survive, believe that I will be blogging about it.