Someone implied that my favorite child is obvious.

* #sonOne: mailed his birthday card the day before, so it arrived late
* #sonTwo: mailed his birthday card and a book two weeks early
* #Daddy_A: no birthday card mailed

But once they grow up and move out, your "favorite" is the one who stays in touch most. Second son currently calls me about 4X/week, plus does a regular weekly #videochat between me and his family. The older and younger boys are a lot less communicative.

But honestly, I bought both sons' cards the same day, after I got unemployment benefits. The other child's birthday is earlier, when I had no funds.