Last week was Andy's 10th birthday. It was a huge deal to him. I don't remember 10 being that big of a deal, but honestly my brain is fried and I don't remember that much from my childhood. Well, I remember stuff, just not whether or not I thought being 10 was a big deal. But for Andy, big deal. In fact, he told me he was a tween now. I'm not so sure of that, but whatever, I don't care that much and I don't want to burst his bubble.
Anyway, part of the reason the entire family went with me on my 1/2 marathon trip was because it was Andy's birthday. I didn't really think it would be fair if I was in Disney World the day before Andy's birthday and when we asked him what he wanted for his birthday he said a trip to Universal. So we just did it all at once.
The day before his birthday we went to Animal Kingdom. I told him to get a birthday pin, the ones they hand out for free at the parks that say "It's My Birthday" and a space to write your name underneath, but he wasn't excited about it. Then I told him about how we went to Disney on my birthday a couple of years ago and I got one and EVERYBODY who works at Disney tells you "Happy Birthday". It's nuts. That kind of got him excited so he decided he was willing to wear one. It was amazing how many people wished him happy birthday. When we were watching the parade at least four people in the parade told him happy birthday. The kid had a giant smile on all day.
On his actual birthday I took him to Universal while Charlie took the girls to the Magic Kingdom, which to Andy was the best gift of all. A day with Mom (or Dad would have been cool too) without his sisters. We basically did everything he wanted to do all day, except that after a few rides I realized that I wasn't young and carefree anymore and I couldn't handle roller coasters. So he still got to ride what he wanted, I just stood in line with him, watched him get on, and then was there when he got off. When I was a kid I never understood why my mom would come to the amusement parks with us and never ride. She would always wait by the exit with a book. Now I get it.
The day after his birthday we all went to the Magic Kingdom and he wore his button again. The birthday magic returned. We were even sitting in a Belle "show" and she stopped talking to everyone, wished Andy happy birthday and then talked to him for a few moments in front of everybody before continuing her performance. It was pretty awesome.
All in all, I think the kid had a great, memorable 10th birthday. As it should be, even though I don't remember mine and I turned out okay. Next weekend he's having a very small party and inviting two kids to spend the night and have a video game bonanza, a movie and possibly a hockey game if I can get everything planned on time.
Happy Birthday kiddo!
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