Jackson has been counting down to his eleventh birthday since the calendar turned to 2017. It’s fair to say he is obsessed with it, even beyond the general obsession kids feel about their birthdays. Yes, it’s about gifts and special food and all the extra attention, but it’s about that deeper feeling – that you are so well-loved that an entire day is designed to celebrate YOU.
Instead of a big party, which we did last year for his tenth, we kept it low-key and all in the family. He chose an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen (his request) and I made egg salad sandwiches for dinner (again, his request). We also watched Stranger Things over the course of three days (fast-forwarding through the mature bits with teen romance!) because turning eleven on June 11 meant he was old enough to see what all the fuss was about. (He loved it!)
Then we made him search the house and yard for his gifts (yes, his request).
We are a Packers family, yet, here we are:
There’s also a Steelers jersey in our house now, courtesy of my parents! Blasphemy!
Yet, Jackson loved it all. Just look at his face when he discovered a pair of Hufflepuff socks –
And a Hufflepuff house banner –
And a Bucks jersey –
That’s the sign of a happy little heart.
Later in the day we enjoyed a visit from Chuck’s dad and a FaceTime session with my parents.
I also read all the well wishes people sent through social media and texts, which brought a huge smile to his face. Thanks to everyone who took the time to tell him Happy Birthday. You warmed his heart and mine.
