Peanut woke up early this morning. It was still dark outside! He heard me feeding the littlest puppies and wanted to 'help'...

"Good morning, Peanut," I said. "And a Happy Birthday to you! These puppies have finished their breakfast. Let's you and I go into the kitchen and have our breakfast, okay?"

"Can we have birthday cake?" Peanut asked.

"For breakfast?" I grinned at the rascally one year old. "Okay, but you had better not tell your mama!"

The sun came up about an hour later so I started taking the bulldogs out for their morning walk. When I came into the kitchen after walking Sweet T. Pie and JEB, I heard Peanut telling mama, "Dad gave me birthday cake for breakfast..."

I said, "Peanut! Let's you and I go for a walk outside."

Peanut ran around acting crazy. Then he stopped and asked, "Am I in trouble?"

"Peanut, you are always in trouble but you're forgiven because it's your birthday..."

"Do you know why birthdays are so special, Peanut?" I asked.

Peanut thought for a minute and said, "'Cause I get presents! And I can eat cake for breakfast! And I can have a party! And I am bigger and older so I can do more things..."

I said, "Birthdays are happy days! Every day should be a happy day just like your birthday! And don't forget Sugar Cookie -- it's her birthday, too!"

Just then Sugar looked up so I took her picture.

"Sugar looks so grown up today. She's always been pretty but today she looks beautiful. Don't you think so, Peanut?" I asked.

"Yes, Dad... She's almost as pretty as I am!"