Happy Birthday, Kid Lulu!
The love of my life, my wee daughter, turns 4 years old on Tuesday. She's very excited about this. In fact, Kid Lulu started celebrating early the other day, unveiling her birthday suit in front of the Quiet Neighbor Boy.
Oh yeah. It was quite the moment. The Forever Fiancee walked into the room and an innocent game of Legos had gone full-frontal. My dear FF calmly corrected the situation -- and then calmly told me.
Anyway, the kicker was that the Quiet Neighbor Boy, a kid who never makes a peep, started singing at the top of his lungs. Seriously, my daughter's clothing-optional policy had instantly broken this little guy out of his shell. The formerly silent kid was suddenly hitting all the notes: "HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS! HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS! RIGHT DOWN SANTA CLAUS LANE!" I think he even did a little jig.
Anyway, happy birthday, Kid Lulu. Go on, open Daddy's present first. It's a robe.
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
Happy Birthday to Kid Lulu! 4 is a fun year, enjoy every minute with her.
Posted by: Bassnote | December 10, 2007 at 06:57 PM
Happy Birthday Kid Lulu! I have a 4 year old son and everyday brings something fun and new. Enjoy this time Sean, it goes by fast!
Posted by: Tom | December 10, 2007 at 07:05 PM
Happy Birthday to your daughter, Sean.
Hands off my Brio train sets!
Posted by: Al | December 10, 2007 at 07:46 PM
Thanks for the well wishes, gang. The pre-party is already in full swing on Monday night. Apparently Grandma Daly bought her yet another 8-layer princess dress-up that I have no idea how to put on the kid. It's those fluffy arm thingies. Too many holes and loops.
Posted by: Sean Daly | December 10, 2007 at 08:05 PM
Happy 4th Birthday Kid LuLu! I love you baby girl ! Love,Your Teacher !!!!
Posted by: Ms.Ha Le | December 10, 2007 at 09:25 PM
Sean.. given Lulu's 'clothing optional' way of thinking... you might want to learn how to put on that princess outfit soon!!
Happy Birthday Kid Lulu!!
Posted by: Carla (Nashville, Tn) | December 10, 2007 at 10:36 PM
Awww I kissed the neighbor boy when I was 4 or 5. We raced up the slide and bumped noses, actually. My sister saw it and swore we smooched. I swear I was not a precocious child.
Oh the sweet innocense of childhood! Enjoy it now Sean!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KID LULU! May all your princess dreams come true (and Daddy figures out the fru-fru princess outfit and doesn't keep the tiara for himself).
Posted by: Marissa | December 10, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Quiet Neighbor Boy's internal 'Wonder Years' narrative: "And somehow I knew things would never be the same from that moment on..."
Posted by: Clark | December 11, 2007 at 07:53 AM
The love of my life, my wife, has her birthday today as well (she's turning significantly more than 4!) And she shares LuLu's disdain for clothing. (which is one of the things that attracted me to her in the first place!)
Anyway, happy 4th Lulu!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | December 11, 2007 at 07:55 AM
hey Jeff? :bowchickabowbow::
Posted by: Marissa | December 11, 2007 at 07:59 AM
Happy Birthday Quiet Neighbor Boy!
It's always the quiet ones who really listen to the girls...
Posted by: Anon | December 11, 2007 at 02:06 PM
I just got back from partying with a class full of rowdy, attention spanless four-year-olds. And what did I do? I gave them sugar...and lots of it! But I'm happy to report there was no nudity involved. I tip my hat to Ms. Ha Le, Lulu's teacher. I don't know how she does it every single day without going completely insane! Happy Birthday, Lulu!
Posted by: Forever Fiancee | December 11, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Happy Birthday Child Lulu. Four is a great age - enjoy it. Before you know it you'll be bobbing in the sea of crushing disappointment brought about by the millions of small humiliations which comprise most of the average adult psyche.
While you're too young yet to appreciate The Onion, perhaps you're ready to listen to Negativeland or The Residents. Nobody else does.
Posted by: Young Andrew | December 11, 2007 at 09:47 PM