Celebrating Double Digits

Aidan turned 10 on April 30.

One of my random thoughts: This might be the last year he can say he's taller than his sister (she's 7).

We asked him to write in his journal what he wanted to do for his birthday. His response:

I want to invite Ethan, Jamie, Sam, Luke, John and I want to go to Chuckie's or a restaurant or both and then we could go home and do stuff. We could go play "sports" and real sports outside. Then we could do presents and cake. It would be on a Saturday and the Friday before, we could play Starcraft. maybe would be an ice-cream sandwich cake like the one I had the other year. For a present, I want something that I really like. Then we will play games and do fun things.

Ginger and I are happy to say, three days later, Aidan got his wish.

Act I. Friday, Aidan and I went to the Sears home so Aidan could play Magic The Gathering. It was Aidan, Rosina and Tauailelagi (they're Samoan) versus Samanu, Philip and Ytzak. With the exception of learning that our deck was stacked (too many rare creatures), we felt good knowing that our understanding of the rules was solid. 

Act II. The second act is always the meatiest. You delight in the appetizer (Act I), but you feast on the main course (Act II). Aidan invited 7 friends to a sports-themed party we held in the gym at 402 Longwood Drive, 5 of whom came: Jamie, Luke, Sam, Ethan, and Kevin. A few highlights:

• Being such a small guy, I was surprised Aidan held his own in a reverse tug of war with a cage ball. He & Ethan teamed up against Sam & Jamie. (Ethan believed in Aidan so much that he took a break from the action in the picture below.) They also played a cage ball game where they laid on their backs in a circle and kicked the ball around; kickball (4-4 tie); and the crowd favorite, pivot ball -- a variant of dodge ball where one player wins by getting everyone else out.

• My mom and dad didn't just come to the party, they brought along a vortex cannon to help Aidan blow out the candles on his cake.

•  My biggest surprise was the kids didn't eat their tots. Bullies in Idaho beg for tots! Yes, I know they wanted to get back to pivot ball, but we're talking about tiny, crispy chunks of heaven here. (also: hot dogs and root beer)

Act III. Aidan and daddy got to play Starcraft. And he (and an AI) beat me for the first time!

P.S. To make this more like one of my diary entries when I was in sixth grade, I have to tell you what we ate. Japanese hibachi on Friday night. No, it was not this place. Chinese buffet in Orland Park on Saturday. We still owe a meal at Wendy's for Aubrie.

4/30: Great to be Eight

One thing as parents you really wish for your kids is that they they're well liked -- that they have friends.  We're very pleased that Aidan has developed this essential talent. 

It could very well be that his friends like him because he has this "I'm so tiny you can pick me up" quality.  Whatever works. 

Here's are the 5 things you need to know about Aidan's birthday party.

1.  Balloon fighting -- pictured.  Kids need to blow off steam.  Especially boys.  What better way then beating each other up with harmless balloons (and carrying Aidan around)? 

From the left:  Jamie, Ethan, Aidan and Kevin

2.  Pizza Hut pizza and breadsticks.  I entertained the kids simply by talking about Star Wars.  It's my gift and my curse.  I take that back.  It's my gift.  Ginger took care of Aubrie and chowed down on breadsticks. 

3.  Chuckie Cheese's.  At least we didn't have to eat Chuckie's tasteless pizza (see #2 above).  You can't say we're stupid, only half stupid.

4.  Ice cream sandwich cake topped with Oreo crumbs.  Ginger was inspired by another mommy and turned out this delicious treat.  Only one piece made it to the freezer and Oreo lover (but not Hydrox lover) Abby Trytko was served it the day after.

5.  Chemistry magic show.  A former scientist client of mine performs chemistry tricks at events, so I thought I would try.  I burned some cash, made pepper separate and lit a candle without even touching the wick.  Go here if you want to impress your kiddies -- though none of Aidan's friends were entirely impressed by me.  Practice the burning money trick, or it can become the "kids laugh at you because you suck at burning money" trick.