Thane's 10th Birthday

When Thane's birthday rolled around towards the end of May, Washington was still pretty locked down (let's be honest - we're still pretty locked down). Ten is supposed to be a friend birthday party year, but that wasn't really possible this year. So, though our celebratory options were somewhat limited, we made the best of it. 

The Sunday before his birthday we had a family party with Katie and her kids.  

Food plays a big roll in any celebration or event where Thane has any say. He was extra excited to have control over the dinner menu for his birthday week.

On his actual birthday, Mark was still working for home, so Thane had the benefit of being able to open his gifts first thing in the morning. He got Legos, fabric markers, plain shirts to decorate, and perler bead supplies.

He also got the standard, and highly anticipated, birthday CD mix from Mark.

After getting dressed, I told him to get in the car and took him to a surprise breakfast with Tallie and Venna. They decorated their Sprinter van and made a full spread of food for him. They're are so incredibly thoughtful and definitely know how to win Thane over!

For his birthday, Thane REALLY wanted to plant pumpkins. That may seem like a strange birthday wish, but we have friends who were planting an enormous, full-acre garden and they invited us to come help them.

So, we spent Thane's birthday afternoon digging in the dirt and planting dozens up pumpkins.

He's a super hard worker!

 

Aubree and ZZ went on a long run, then joined in the messy fun. Bryce worked right along with Thane.

Everyone took planting breaks to visit the pigs and alpacas and other fun farm animals.

Thane ended the day inviting Venna and her family over for pizza, cake, and ice cream.

Thane asked Aubree to make him a Monopoly cake and she did not disappoint. It took her many, many hours and more butter than I'd care to consider.

Thane was super happy with the final product. I think he had a pretty awesome day.

Thane is tenacious, incredibly hard-working, quick, generous, kind-hearted, stubborn, and unique. He loves food, games, being creative, friends, jump rope, soccer, running, and orienteering. He definitely adds spice and wonder to our lives!

Interview with Thane:

Favorite Color?: "Certain kinds of pink and purple."

Favorite Candy?:  "Gobstoppers."

What do you want to be when you grow up?: "A Lego-builder? I don't know.”

Where do you want to go on your mission?: "Africa."

Favorite Church Song?: "'Armies of Helaman'."

Favorite Animal?: "Penguin."

Favorite Movie?: "Live Action Cinderella."

Favorite Thing to Do?: "Eat."

Favorite Food?: "Pizza and all-you-can-eat buffets like Shady Maple."

Best Friends?: "Venna, Holly, Finley, and Coleman."

Favorite Book?: "'Five Kingdoms.'"

Favorite Toy?: "Legos, rollerblades, jump ropes, and pogo stick."

What makes you happy?: "Eating."

Favorite thing to do with Mom?: "Go out to eat for my half-birthday."

Favorite thing to do with Dad?: "Watch Marvel movies."

What do you do really well?: "Take quick showers."

What makes you laugh?: "When people tickle me." 

Favorite Holiday?: "Christmas."

Favorite Sport?: "Jump roping, soccer, and roller blading."

What’s the best time of day?: "Snack time! And dinner, lunch, and breakfast time. Any time we get more food."
What's your favorite day of the week?: "Mondays, when we have FLEET."

What are you afraid of?: "People startling me."

What do you like to do with your family?: "Go to all-you-can-eat buffets."

What do you love to learn about?: "Math."

What is your favorite class/subject?: “Math.”

Where do you like to go?: "To all-you-can-eat buffets and Habit Burger.”

If you had one wish, what would it be?: "To go to Disneyland."

What would you do if you had $1,000?: "Buy lots of food to eat. Especially mangoes and watermelons."

What is your favorite song?: "'Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da,' Beatles cover by Gabriela Bee."

What's your favorite Super Hero?: "Vision."

What do you hope you can do before your next birthday?: "Do ballroom dance."  

What are you looking forward to in the next year?: "No move Covid-19 and being able to go places and not be stuck at home."