We celebrated our first decade as parents and his first decade of life with Dietrich last night at the Olive Garden.
One of the things Jen and I have decided to do is to establish four critical birthday celebrations as rites of passage - the 10th, the 13th, the 16th and the 18th. Each stage will come with certain ceremonies, new responsibilities and new freedoms.
Dietrich ordered the Sicilian Scampi appetizer for us.
For Dinner, Dietrch had Seafood Alfredo, I had Seafood Portofino, and Jen had Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo.
One of the things Jen and I have decided to do is to establish four critical birthday celebrations as rites of passage - the 10th, the 13th, the 16th and the 18th. Each stage will come with certain ceremonies, new responsibilities and new freedoms.
Last night Dietrich received the right to carry and keep a knife and was presented with Grandpa Balsbaugh's inscribed lockblade. With it comes the responsibility to keep the blade clean, to handle the knife carefully and to guard it as a heirloom.
In addition, he received a monthly allowance, with the freedom to spend some portion as he sees fit and the responsibility to budget for giving, saving, presents at Christmas, and his own snacks at atheletic events.
We also extended his bedtime 15 minutes beyond the girls' and allowed him to choose one movie a month to watch with Papa and Mommy.
Finally, he got an extra special Lego set, Jabba's Sail Barge, which he has already assembled.
Happy Birthday Dietrich! Congratulations on your first decade!
2 comments:
I love your ideas for these special and momentous birthdays. We may have to use this idea for our own family use. I can't believe he's 10!
Not sure if you remember me- I went to River Ridge (from Greenlawn) for 10th grade in 99-00.
Anyway, just clicking around and found your blog, and this post intrigued me.
Have you figured out what you're doing for the other milestones? I'd be interested to hear about it!
-Emily (used to be Boughton)
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