Birthday Party!

Just before the final bell rang, I dashed around the room. “I hope you can all come to my party!” I slapped an envelope down on each desk. Ten boys—not counting me—and 12 girls. Usually I’m only allowed to invite a few friends, but this was a special birthday.

“How come you get such a big party this year?” Max stuffed the invitation into his backpack.      

“’Cause there’s a surprise! You’ll see!”

+      +      +

Happy bells jangled as Dad and I entered the bakery. Mr. Presutto popped out from the back room, wiping floured hands on his apron. His eyes glistened, along with the top of his shiny head.

“Ah, Mr. Wyatt and Mr. David, here to pick up your cake.”

He always called me Mr. Wyatt and gave me a donut hole every week when we came to buy bread.

“But what I want to know is this: who is two years old at your house?” He peered over his glasses. “I know you, Mr. Wyatt, and your sister. Both big kids.” He pointed to the cake. “Beautiful cake, it is! But, ‘Happy 2nd Birthday’?  A cousin is visiting, maybe?”

Pulling out his wallet, Dad grinned and said, “Would you like to come this evening to celebrate with us? And see who is turning two?”

“Oh, it’s not every day I get to eat my own cake! Yes, I will come.” Mr. Presutto rang us up. “I will be there to see this mystery person!”

On our way home, I asked Dad if I could borrow his phone to call Grandma.

“Grammy, I just want to make sure you’re coming to my party tonight.”

“Of course, I will! I’ve been to all seven of your birthdays so far. Do you think I’d miss number eight?”

 I giggled. “Be sure you’re there!”

+      +      +    

Tires crunched on the snow. Boots clomped up the steps to the porch. My friends crowded around the table to wish me a happy birthday.

“Turning eight! You’re catching up with me, Wyatt,” Max hooted.

I grinned at Dad. Everyone would soon know my secret.

Mom carried in the birthday cake blazing with…two candles.

“Did you run out of candles, Mrs. Johnson?”  Julianna asked.

“No, this is all we need.” Mom smiled.

“What do you mean?” Max asked.

“What is the date today?”

“February 29.“And what is February 29?”

Max shrugged his shoulders. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “Oh! Is this leap year?”

The other kids looked confused so I explained. “I was born on February 29, 2016. Because of leap year, there wasn’t another February 29 until 2020, and now again in 2024. So I’ve only had two real birthdays!”

Grammy said, “Well, happy birthday to the oldest two-year-old I know!”

Everyone laughed.

Mr. Presutto held up a fork. “Now who’s ready for some cake?”

—————————————————————————————–

What is Leap Year?

There are 365 days in a year because that’s how long it takes the earth to travel completely around the sun, right? Except that’s not right! It actually takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds for the earth to get back to its starting point. So, if every year had only 365 days on the calendar, after many years February wouldn’t be in the winter anymore. Eventually, February would be a summer month.

By adding an extra day every four years, our calendar stays better lined up with the seasons.