Here’s another good one.

I’m not sure who the man is on the couch. Could be dad or gramp, but I don’t think so. Maybe an uncle or someone from church. Don’t know. But it amuses me that whoever it is was unsuccessful in moving completely out of the frame. It’s these half-efforts that really make holidays and birthdays special.

And nothing says “happy 5th birthday” like a timid, creepy squirrel.

I actually remember when this picture was taken. I was wearing my puffy-paint Pac-Man t-shirt, and Mom had me assemble my plunder for this historic Kodak moment (thanks Mom!).

Since my birthday falls near Easter, first we have the obligatory toy bunny, made of plastic and wire so you could bend and pose, and complete with giant, black clown shoes. But why pink?

What else? Let’s see:

- another card

- a role of Life Savers

- some righteous Pac-Man stickers

- a toy car that is activated by sticking a key into the back and then hitting a button to send it flying

- a new, crisp Washington (worth approximately $500, adjusted for inflation)

- an Atari game, no idea which one. Anyone know?

- a box of markers that smelled like chocolate and different color-appropriate fruit flavors

- a Presto Magix adventure set, possibly Spiderman themed

But the pièce de résistance has to be the plastic hand-grenade.