Eleven

Ten days ago Ashton dropped a 'pre' and became a pre-teen when he turned eleven. I was slightly dreading the eleventh year. I've heard not so many good things. So far, its been smooth sailing, and honestly, the almost three year old is the one I should be scared of. He does his own laundry, he does whatever chores I ask without drama usually, he lets his brothers touch his new nerf guns. These things most likely would not have happened when he was ten. Then I started thinking. Maybe my open dread over the eleventh year was a good thing. Maybe his way of rebelling is proving me wrong. Unintended reverse psychology. One point for mom! (but we should probably just let Ashton think he is winning this one.)

Ashton's birthday this year consisted of:

loving his brother

a breakfast of all his favorite things

presents straight from his birthday list, which only included one thing: all Nerf stuff

I seriously can not get this kid to make a normal face for a picture.

Judging from his answers, this might be the last year the pre-teen willingly gives a birthday interview.

how old are you? I'm eleven

what is your favorite:

color? blue

animal? a flying ninja monkey

movie? Ironman 2

book? Magyk. The kind of magyk with a Y

thing to do? not get birthday interviewed

food? shrimp

restaurant? Sakura

subject in school? science

who are your friends? um...the flying ninja monkeys

what do you want to be when you grow up? a scientist

what kind of scientist? a sciency scientist...a mad scientist! (pause, and insert a smirk and daydream look.) I want to be a marine biologist because it is fun and you actually get to do stuff.

what are you most excited about right now? being at the end of my birthday interview

if you become famous, what will you be famous for? discovering a new species of squid.

what is something your parents always say? control yourself

why did the duck cross the road? because he wasn't a chicken

tell me a joke...

knock knock.
who's there?
banana
banana who?

knock knock
who's there?
orange
orange who?
orange you glad I didn't do that whole banana, banana, banana thing?


 Sure, he is completely irrational at times, and tries to play pranks like putting a rubber band on the sprayer by the kitchen sink so when I turn on the water I end up with a bath, but we seriously lucked out with this kid. I know his future is going to be phenomenal, and I feel so lucky we get to watch it all unfold.