Seyonv sat up in bed. Yellow balloons drifted past his window. One zipped away like a runaway kite.
His mom appeared in the doorway. Her slippers scuffed the floor. She pointed at the ceiling — every corner was filled with red, blue, and green balloons.
Seyonv tugged a red balloon. It floated higher, so he dragged his little stool across the carpet. Behind the balloons he found a silver banner that said Happy Birthday, Seyonv!
His mom hummed and helped him tape the banner to the wall. Then his dad carried in a tiny chocolate cake with three tall flickering candles.
They sang loud and off-key. The candles flared with a tiny pop. Seyonv leaned forward, puffed his cheeks, and blew — but the candles only wiggled.
He took the biggest breath he could and blew with all his might. Whoosh — all three candles went out. His family cheered and threw their hands up.
Seyonv turned to his mom and wrapped his arms around her neck. She lifted him up and spun in a slow circle while his dad laughed.
Seyonv sat on his mom's lap with the banner stretched between them. His dad snapped a photo — click-flash! He yawned and rested his head on his mom's shoulder.