The doorbell rang.

"Go on, Andy. Get the door." Mom instructed.

Andy skipped to the door and, with difficulty, heaved it open.

"Why hello Andy." I heard Grandma say as she stepped inside.

"Hey Buddy…" Grandpa said, "Where can I put this box?"

"Is it a present?" An excited Andy asked.

"Of course it is. What else are birthdays good for?"

Mom intervened.

"You can put it on the floor in front of the couch."

When backs were turned, I stole a look at the boxes. I wasn't sure what to think of them if they were toys. Playtime could benefit from a few extra characters though, right?

"Mom can I open it? Mom? Please, please!"

"After dinner, Andy. Now help me set the table..."

"When can we have cake?"

"Dinner, presents, then cake."

The family sat down at the table and remained there for almost an hour. I assume they ate, but they also spent a lot of time chatting. Good topics, too.

Andy would be starting school soon. Mom was getting a promotion. The grandparents had moved into a nicer neighborhood...

They eventually drifted back to the couch to open presents. I held my breath.

Mom was gone briefly, and returned with three more packages, hastily wrapped. Andy's eyes were wide and sparkling.

"Now, Andy..." Dad instructed, "You can sit there on the couch..."

"Next to Woody?"

"Sure! Me, Mom and Gramma and Grandpa will sit here on the floor so we can all see you."

"Which one can I open first?" Andy asked after a moment.

Mom passed him one of hers.

"Why don't you open the ones from me and Daddy, then the one from Grandpa and Grandma last?"

Andy answered by anxiously tearing at the paper. It was shredded and tossed aside. Mom fetched a camera.

"Cool!" Andy exclaimed, looking at the pictures on the box. He couldn't read it, but I could.

The World's Strongest Man.

Not being too strong myself, I foresaw some playtime issues... and injuries.

Mom snapped a picture. Within seconds, it printed from the base of the camera. She set it on the nearby recliner, blowing on it so it would dry and develop.

The next box Andy received was long and slim, wrapped in blue. He opened it at a slower pace to preserve the fun he was having.

It was a... shark. Shiny grey with beady eyes and painful-looking teeth. However, he was smiling in the printed logo. Andy didn't look afraid at all.

"Can he swim in the pool with me?" Andy asked.

"We'll see..." Dad said.

Andy went on to the last of his parents' presents while Mom took more pictures. She placed them all on the recliner in a similar fashion.

"What does it say?" Andy wondered once he had opened the box. He shoved it into Grandpa's face. Grandpa, meanwhile, adjusted his glasses.

"Mr. Spell." He read.

"To help you learn to read for yourself!" Mom said pleasantly.

At least that one wasn't a toy... I didn't see Andy playing with him too much.

"Ready for this one?" Grandpa inquired, handing Andy the box he brought in, "Careful, it's heavy."

Andy set it on the couch and studied it a moment before destroying the paper.

"Oh wow!" Andy announced, overjoyed.

It was a remote control car. He was green and blue, and smiled if you looked at him just right.

"Now Woody can beat the evil pig in a race!"

"What?" Grandma was confused.

"Andy was playing with all his toys before you came over." Mom explained.

"Do you want to play with me, Gramma?"

"Sure, Honey. Let's go."

"Okay! You can come too, Grandpa."