For Kim

"At my birthday, will you bring in treats for the class?" Lauren asked.

"Yep," I said. "One of the things we're talking about at the meetings we go to while you're at school is what sort of things can be brought in for birthday parties..."

"Oh," she said. "Like cupcakes?"

I stifled a snicker. "What we've been talking about is that in September, there won't be parties with cake or candy - and what are other things we might have to celebrate happy events."

"Oh," she looked wary. "No cupcakes?"

"Not at school. But that's OK. We can have cupcakes at your party at home. It just means we have to be a bit creative about how we celebrate at school."

"Oh ok," she said. "Like how?"

"Well, since your birthday is in September, we could go to the orchard and pick apples for your birthday, and bring them in for your class."

"Really? We could pick them ourselves?"

"Why not?"

"Huh," she replied.

This morning...

"Mom, I can't wait to go pick apples for my class birthday party. That's going to be so much fun."

It would seem the symbol doesn't have to be a cupcake...