Ella knows the birthday song pretty well. Afterall, she had been singing it frequently since Cal’s birthday in early December – to him that day and to many others after that and leading up to her own. In some cases, she’d sing it only once to the birthday person, whether on the phone or in person; and in a few cases, she’d sing it leading up to and well after the person’s birthday. Her friend, Aryn, whose birthday was in late January, was Ella’s most popular target – “… happy BIR-day dear ARYN…” she sang often, even when Aryn wasn’t around and even weeks after Aryn’s birthday party which triggered it.
It’s really sweet when she sings it, too. She doesn’t belt out the words – she shyly sings them in her little Ella voice, a grin on her face the whole time.
The kids’ cousin, Jimmy Jimmy, had a swimming party for his birthday on a Saturday late in February. Dan had to work that day, so the kids and I went without him. The kids “swam” (i.e. clung to me in the water) for a bit; and then we got dressed and headed to the cafeteria where there were snacks, pizza and treats for everyone to enjoy. Typical of most parties, we sang to the birthday boy, and Ella participated in that.
Once settled into the car and heading home, Cal and I heard Ella singing the birthday song once again. Shy and sweet, she sang every word: “Happy bir-day to you, happy bir-day to you…” and then the best part: “… happy BIR-day dear… <pause>… PEOPLE…”
Cal and I cracked up immediately. Happy birthday dear people? People? Where’d she get that one? Too funny! Ella joined in our laughter; and then Cal reinforced things and sang himself: “… happy BIRTHday dear PEOPLE…” BAAAAAAHAHAHHHHHH! We kept laughing and singing this as we made our way home.
Clearly funny at the time, this little bit of Ella’s made a lasting impression on Cal. As much as he can make her laugh with his goofy faces at the dinner table or by peeking on either side of her from behind as she sits in her chair, Ella’s “happy bir-day dear people” makes Cal laugh, whether she sings it, I sing it or, most often, he sings it.
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