Since Mackie's birthday falls on December 26 and gets lost in holiday shuffle, we've taken to celebrating his birthday in the summer, halfway between birthdays.  A couple days before, I got out the cake recipe book and asked Mackie what kind of cake he wanted.  He waffled a bit and then settled on a Boston cream pie.  I made it the day before.

Mackie said he wanted to go to the water park and bring L---, his best friend from school.  Unfortunately, the day of the planned celebration turned out cold and rainy.

I said to Mackie, "We can't go to the water park, but you have a choice for what to do instead.  We can either go to the indoor playground place or play laser tag."

"Laser tag! Laser tag!"

So we drove through the rain to Zap Zone and played two games of laser tag.

When we got back, Granny and Popa arrived, as did L--- (who wasn't available for laser tag earlier) and his mother.  We grilled hot dogs and other summer food for supper, ate cake, and opened presents.  Mackie got a bunch of Bakugan stuff, a 300-piece puzzle (he loves puzzles and has already put it together), some money, and a boogie board.

That night when I was tucking him into bed, he said, "Thank you for the great birthday, Daddy!"