The Birthday Boy

Following closely upon Sandra's birthday was Alejandro's.  After Ezra got home from school and Sandra returned from work, we all (including Alejandro's father, Pedro) piled into the car and went out for dinner.  No, we didn't go to the Cheesecake Factory this time.  We went to a nearby Toks, a chain of restaurants that is better than most of the other chains.

(Nephew Ezra took this excellent photo.)

Alejandro had what the menu called an Oriental Philly sandwich, and I had enchiladas in "mole".

Instead of a birthday cake, Sandra had bought a "pan de elote" (cornbread) from Ezra's school.  (His junior high school has an excellent cook who sometimes offers items for sale to the parents.)  If you are thinking of the cornbread that is a staple of Southern U.S. cooking, the Mexican version is completely different.  It is served as a dessert and is sweet and moist.  As you can see, this cornbread was the size of a cake.

When we got home, we lit a candle, and sang the Mexican birthday song,  "Las Mañanitas".  The bread was delicious, just as good (and probably healthier) than a birthday cake.

Alejandro had to wait for the weekend for his special birthday present.  Stay tuned...