11

One week ago today, Quinn celebrated his 11th birthday.  The birthday celebrations began the Friday before and lasted an entire week.  He is one lucky boy!

The pre-birthday weekend kicked off when Nana, Papa and Aunt Annie came to visit on Friday afternoon.  We let Quinn decide Saturday's main activity, and he chose to visit the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum (commonly called Air and Space 2, because the one downtown is number one).  I had never been to this one, but James and the kids went when we first moved here primarily because we were staying in a hotel very close to it.  Annie took Quinn on the simulator as one of his birthday gifts, and they had a blast even going upside down.  We got to see the newly retired space shuttle Discovery which is now housed in the museum.  It's pretty impressive to see such a large plane, and one that has gone to space so many times up close and personal.  I only wish you could go inside!  There is even a control tower that gives you 360 degree views of the area, as well as a chance to listen in on the actual air traffic control of Dulles Airport which is just to the north of the museum.  All in all, a cool place to visit - and at only a cost of $15 for parking, even more worth the trip! 

Saturday night, we let Quinn choose dinner - BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, and salad.  Then we had cake and presents.  His cake is always his own choice and design...this year a marble bundt cake with chocolate frosting, and his name and age spelled out in gummy worms.  Quite tasty, although I could have lived without the gummy worms.

Sunday he had another birthday meal, thanks to Papa - his choice a full rack of ribs.  This boy can eat more than me already!

On his actual birthday, he brought cupcakes to school to celebrate with his class.  It struck me as I was decorating his choice of funfetti with sprinkles that this is the last year he will be bringing a treat to school...next year he will be in middle school.  Wow!  Another sign that he is getting older, as if there weren't enough of those front and center.  We didn't do anything special that night, since he and Keely have guitar lessons but he did get a few more presents...all in all, he had a great haul with  an xBox game, movies (The Hunger Games, and The Avengers), Legos (who knew he could need even more of those?!?!), game (Anomia...for him and Keely, and fun for the whole family!), money, and from us a long board.  Quite a lucky boy!

But that wasn't the end of the fun.  On Friday night, he had his two best friends over at our house for a night of fun and a sleepover.  They had pizza, played games and watched The Avengers with movie style popcorn and M&M's, cookies and brownies...and stayed up until about 2 AM.  It was a long, crazy night.  They were up before 8 AM, and I made pancakes for breakfast.  Quinn had a lot of fun, but he was exhausted (so was I to be honest!).

And that was that.  The week long birthday celebration came to an end, and now we have an 11 year old.  It's not as dramatic as having your child enter the double digits, but another year gone by quickly just the same.  He's a smart, quirky, intelligent kid and I'm proud of the young man he is becoming.  I love being around him...he's calm, easygoing and fun...and I can't wait to watch him continue to grow and change.