10 Years in the Making

I am in a state of denial.  Today my very first baby, my baby Linusaur, turned 10.  10.  As in a decade, double digits.  I can't even call him a little kid anymore! 

Believe it or not this is the face of a sick kid.  Despite sickness, he's pretty happy this long awaited moment arrived.

See what I mean?  He's practically a man!  For perspective, I think of Linus a little more like this.

Or really, more like this.  There needs to be a bit of a mischievous glint in his eye to capture his true essence.

His tenth year started out a little rough.  Due to some poor choices, he lost screen time for a week.  The night before his birthday Linus started feeling ill.  On the way home from soccer practice, Dave had to pull over three times so Linus could puke on the side of the road.  His precious red velvet cupcakes for his classroom treat would have to wait a day, Linus would have to spend his birthday home sick.

Poor Linus.  Feeling yucky.  No screens.  Home all day.  He still wanted breakfast in bed, but didn't eat much.  Along with breakfast, I gifted him with his first two presents -- the privilege of a later bedtime (now 8:30 pm) and a pass for one hour of free screen time to be redeemed after his punishment ends.  While not normally our thing, we let Linus open his presents so he would have something to keep him occupied for the day.

I failed to capture the open mouth, gawking that the LEGOs elicited.

It took him about 3 hours to assemble.

We also got him a light up tracing board.  It's pretty cool.  Linus enjoyed his time with that as well.

Along with the new books for his Kindle from Dave's parents, Linus was set for the day.

Linus didn't eat much during the day, but decided he still needed to go out to dinner for his birthday.  His request?  Red Lobster.  We came home to finish the celebration with an oreo ice cream cake.

My parents made it just in time for the cake (what an interesting coincidence....) and brought him a telescope as a gift.  Perfect choice.

Perhaps the gift that excited Linus most came in the mail from my aunt, Eileen (aka Eileen the Elder).

She photoshopped Linus' head onto the body of his uncle, Gino.  As a ten year old, Linus is now old enough to do the Warrior Dash.  Eileen inducted him by providing him with his own pair of flame pants, just like the ones the rest of the people in our group wear.  Do you see the sheer joy?  September can't come soon enough.

Ten is pretty grown up.  At ten, Linus has moved beyond trucks/cars/diggers, pirates, and superheros.  He still loves LEGOs, books, and Calvin and Hobbes.  These days he wants to play Magic or Settlers of Catan, watch videos on Youtube, or play soccer.  He still hates going to bed and waking up.  I'm glad he is over his "I want to be a professional football player" phase.  Linus likes to draw and create. He still hates being told what to do.  Linus has an incredible mind and a wicked sense of humor.  As frustrating as life is now for him sometimes, I'm pretty sure he is going to be an amazing adult if we can all survive these tween years.

Happy Birthday Linus.  10 years never went by so quickly.