Happy Birthday + Annoying Singing Cards = Excellent Greetings from Athens

January is birthday extravaganza: all of my parents/in-laws have had birthdays this month.

In honor of my mom's and Brandon's mom's birthday, which are a day apart, and because we are too poor to send presents through the mail, Brandon and I went to Hallmark to buy them birthday cards.

Out of habit, I immediately went to the super sappy, "Mom, you are wonderful" birthday section, in which all the cards are designed in pastels with bouquets of flowers and perhaps a pink or purple ribbon looped through the front. While perusing these traditional cards we usually purchase as our mom-birthday staple, a strange sound began to fill the air.

One aisle behind me (I know this because Brandon's head was popping out over the tall racks of cards), I heard "Who Let the Dogs Out" blaring and Brandon making his signature honking laugh sound that he makes when he's thoroughly amused by something ridiculous. Soon, more classic melodies such as the theme song from Star Wars and "Achy Breaky Heart" were belting out from the aisle, as Brandon opened singing birthday cards, one after the other.

We were the only customers in the store; yet, I was getting slightly embarassed as he made his way through the rack, laughing hysterically to himself the whole time. I hissed at him: "Hey, quit it! You have absolutely no intention of buying one of those! Now, get over here and help me pick out the card with the best looking hydrangeas for your mom."

His laughter was contagious, however, as "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" started up. Soon I was standing at the rack too, and there were just so many songs to choose from! There was even a Lassie card that barked at us.

We finally decided on "Superfreak" for B.'s mom and the "Wang Chung" song ("Everybody Have Fun Tonight") for T-Pole senior. All covered in glitter and neon party hats, there was no doubt the moms would be excited and confused.

Yesterday I returned to the store to purchase "Mr. Roboto" for my father, whose birthday is today. His card, in keeping with this year's theme of hilarity, features stick figure robots showcasing their best robot dance moves, much like his famed "shovel" and "batman." I figure he can relate.