eleven

Dear Ben,A couple of weeks ago, you turned eleven. ELEVEN! The day before your birthday, you said, "I can't believe my name isn't going to rhyme with my age anymore." You had a great time being ten and no one is shocked that you're a year older. You are mature and wise beyond your eleven years. You woke up super-duper early to open presents (6 am) we had a busy day planned and you were not about to waste a minute of your big day. Simon was not as excited as everyone else to roll out of bed :)
I had been asking you for weeks what you wanted for your birthday and you would respond, "I don't need anything. It would be fun just to spend the day together." Such a typical answer from my responsible boy. We ended up buying you a box fan, a red hoodie, a new scooter (because the one you got from Christmas was stolen) and some treats to take to the movies. You were so gracious about each of your gifts. You are not hard to please...
After present opening, we decorated bikes and went to the church parking lot for a parade and donuts You had a great time on your new scooter and looked so big!
Later that afternoon, we pulled out our Spiderman costumes and went to Carl's Jr for free sandwiches. These costumes were all yours at one time, but you've grown your own muscles and don't fit in them anymore. It's a good thing, really, because you hate wearing anything more than a tee shirt... you're always too hot!
The movie was "funnier than [you] expected" and we had a great time together as a family (just like you wanted!) Roma and I spent a good time sitting in the isle so she could play with the lights on the floor, but you boys loved every minute... especially the explosions, flying and fight scenes.
After the movie, we met friends at a neighbor's pool. We didn't take any pictures because minutes after we arrived, your best bud, Luke Staten, hit his head on the diving board while doing a backflip. He and his parents went to the ER to get stitches. We stayed with Olivia doing fireworks and then waited for them to get back before singing to you. We were outside in front of our house for about an hour before they arrived. You and your brothers had a great time playing in the street...
Roma was awake way past her bedtime and she was happy. She LOVES her big brother Benny! Simon was a party-pooper and excused himself around 11 PM to crash on the couch. What a wimp!

We were playing freeze tag in the street with glow sticks. You had a few strung together in a necklace around your head. Dad started throwing it like a frisbee and you would catch it around your head from hundreds of feet away. It was amazing to watch! I tried to catch it on film, but it was too dark, so I took pictures instead. You meant business!
We laughed about these shots that I captured. You caught it around your neck time and time again and we were all so impressed. (what a hidden talent!)
Love this face here-- and the body stance cracked me up. You timed it just perfectly... Watching you boys play this "game" was my favorite part of the day.
Zack caught the glow stick frisbee once around his neck-- with his tongue out :) We laughed so hard and cheered so loud!

The Statens arrived at our place late (but never too late for cake!) Fireworks were still going off everywhere and we still had a birthday boy to sing to! Luke ended up getting 4 stitches next to his eye. he's such a tough kid!
Our candles got lost somewhere between the pool and our house. These two candles made a funky 11 and you had no problem blowing them out. Later, I made you reveal your wish and you said, "To have another sister." You are just the cutest big brother ever.
Ben, you are everything I could ever wish for and more. You are silly and kind and respectful and honest. You are willing to do whatever I ask and most often have it DONE before I can ask you to do it. When you see that we're in a time crunch, or if I seem stressed, you follow me around and ask what you can do to help. It's so sweet and I am grateful everyday that you became mine eleven years ago. Here's to another great year... but, please, don't grow up too quickly.
Happy Birthday, Benny boy. I love being your mom!