The Old One

I feel like Raley has been neglected in the blog lately, what with the birthday bonanza and all the photoblogs. I've even managed a few posts on the food blog lately. So today I will remedy that by bringing you up to date on all things 10 year old!
Raley is doing very well in school so far. He is enjoying his advanced math class and his science class too. He is currently reading the third book in the Eragon trilogy by Christopher Paolini. he has enjoyed them very much. I tried to read Eragon after seeing the movie but I could not get through it.He has enjoyed them and make a startling comment about them the other day. He was reading along when he stopped and said, "Mommy? I've noticed that these books are a lot like Star Wars." The more we talked about it, the more we saw. It is mostly the first book, and by  the third book the comparisons aren't as obvious but I thought it was very perceptive of him!
We set up a badminton net in the yard a couple weekends ago and we have been playing in the evenings. Raley is getting the hang of it and we have a lot of fun. We have even managed a few long volleys! Next week he will be going to a camp with his class for 3 days/2 nights. It's not far from town and we are welcome to come out as well but are not sure we'll be able to. he's excited, but nervous at the same time. They are going to do a lot of team-building exercises and basic ranch work. I wish I was in 5th grade!! He has heard some of the 6th graders talking about their class trip this year. They are going to Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia. Not sure yet if that is the same every year or if it changes, but I am going to start saving up now to go along next year for sure.
Raley was so great yesterday when the rest of us were spending our birthday money. He never asked for anything or whined or complained about not being able to spend his own money (he has some but is saving it up for camp). I am trying to think of a way to reward him for it. I already told him how great it was and we did get Starbucks (he got a Java Chip Frappacino) and Pretzel Bagel Poppers at Einstein Brothers, but I want to do something more for him. He's such a great kid!
I have also loved how he has started playing with his sister more. He very rarely has homework since he usually finishes it at school, so when he gets home, he has a snack and then goes to her little kitchen and "cooks" with her. the other day I was sitting at the computer and I felt someone put their hand on my back and give me a quick kiss on the cheek. I looked up expecting to see my handsome hubby and was delighted to see my handsome son instead. He's getting to be a big kid after all, and hugs are very rare and kisses? Well, they have entered the land of myth and fog as far as he is concerned, so I was deeply touched by this small gesture.
For all the minor skirmishes we have had lately with his newly emergent adolescent-hormone-fueled attitude issues, he can still be that sweet, caring little boy I used to snuggle and cuddle until he could outrun me. Maybe I need to start my workouts up again so I can get a little faster....