Day 50 Ten Years Ago Today...

Ten years ago today, one of my favorite little people came into this world and I felt like the happiest, proudest, most-in-love auntie that there ever was.

On Lil’ Dude’s 10th birthday, I want to list 5 reasons (although I can think of 5,000) why he is so spectacular and I love him very much…

5. He’s only 10, but he can remember how to get around city streets just as well as mapquest.com. His spatial memory is amazing, which I appreciate because, as his Dad has informed me, I could get “lost in a paper bag” so it’s nice to have Lil’ Dude help me find my way around town.

4. When I take Lil’ Dude rock climbing, he insists on trying harder and harder climbs until his little arms can’t hold him up any more. He tells me he wants to “push himself.” He doesn’t give up, and it makes me think, “This kid has it right. I better push myself, too.”

3. Last year, when I was learning to give IQ tests, he sacrificed several Saturdays and Sundays voluntarily to let me practice testing him for hours without complaining. That’s more than being a good nephew…that’s being a good friend.

2. He has boundless energy. Each year, he’s one of the last kids walking in his school’s walk-a-thon. Last year, he did 20 miles in one day! Most people would have to train for a virtual marathon like that. Who knows how many miles he will do this year? Now I have to give him a flat-rate pledge or I could end up breaking my bank if I donate by the mile.

1. When Lil’ Dude was 4 years old and he met his baby sister just one hour after she was born, he made every adult in the room cry when he informed us that he wanted to read her a book right then and there. Of course, he was only four and did not know how to read, but he was determined to be a good big brother from the start so we helped him have a go at it. It was one of my favorite all-time life moments.


Happy Birthday Lil’ Dude!!! Love you.