A Birthday Bash

My aunt and I just celebrated our birthdays! Mine is October 28 and hers is the day before. I just turned 17 and my aunt is now 39. To celebrate, we always have a combined birthday dinner with all of the family. It is a tradition that we bake homemade lasagna and garlic bread. It just so happens that my aunt and I are both crazy for Italian food. This year we had the dinner at my Mam Joy’s house. Leading up to the dinner, my schedule was relentlessly jam packed with activities. I had school from 8-3, drama practice 3:30-4:15, music theory lessons 4:30-5:30, and saxophone lessons 5:30-6:30! After all of my activities were over for the night, I raced down to my Mam Joy’s house to meet the family for dinner. I arrived just as the lasagna was being cut on the table. Not having eaten anything but a light lunch at 12:30, made the aroma of the fresh pasta even more appetizing. The family began our traditional celebration and ate until everyone was full. Next, my aunt and I opened our cards. After thanking everyone for the gifts, it was time for the most important part of the party. It was time for cake! This is our birthday cake. Before we blew out the candles, my family sang happy birthday to us. However, when you come from an extremely musically inclined family, an ordinary, half out of tune happy birthday song just doesn’t cut it. My family sang happy birthday with harmonies, dynamics, and a key modulation at the end. Birthdays in my family are truly special occasions.