Max will be thirteen years old today at around noon.
He's currently in the midst of a science project in his room - not the sort that invariably occur by accident in the rooms of teenage boys - an actual for school project involving plants and various kinds of light. This has necessitated the sectioning off of some 'zones' in his room where plants can get incandescent, fluorescent, blacklight, or sunlight.
We're attending a comic convention today, Wizard World in Nashville, and he's excited about his first con of any kind, and the Star Trek folk who will be in attendance. Yesterday was party day, and we had lunch with his grandpa at Culver's (still far and away one of his favorite places to go, partly for the idealized Wisconsin-ness he associates with it) and then mini-golf and music and presents and mayhem with his crew, pictured. He fell asleep last night in one of our recliners while Meredith & Sandy were over while attempting to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I don't think he was entirely into it.
He's a sensitive guy, and his anti-bullying club at school (which he founded; brag, brag) is ramping up for this year. He's a proud nerd who collects books and weapons and who still enjoys chess and Legos. For the first time this year, he's being made to read for school (and write about it) and like a lot of avid readers, this has dimmed his passion for reading. He asked for (and got) a multi-year subscription to Mad Magazine this year. His feet are ridiculously large, and he's going to be the tallest person in our house in six months to a year. His favorite kind of pizza is still cheese, and for his birthday party snacks yesterday he chose green apples, Doritos, pretzels, cheese curds, Raisinets and fancy sodas. He's got a "you will enjoy this on as many levels as I do" streak, and if you engage him on a subject which he holds close to his heart, you may never escape.
He's an easy kid to love - cerebral and quiet times are balanced with reactionary and loud times. He likes to hug and hang out; he wore a headband throughout the NiH showing of Frozen the other night and chided me for running off on my own to read, and never allows our houseguests to leave without hugs. I'm looking forward to what the next several years will bring - changes and sames, alike. Max is a good person, and someone I enjoy hanging out with as much as I love him.
Happy birthday, Max.