Toby's Double-Digit Trip

No more than six hours driving one-way, and the trip completed within 40 hours.  

Those are the only two restrictions given to a son planning his double-digit trip with us.  When it was Eli's turn, we had a packed, amazing trip to NYC.  This year it was Toby's turn, and we were headed to a baseball- and food-centric time in Philadelphia.

The double-digit tradition is so fun for us, but I especially love how we get to learn about and celebrate the uniqueness of the ten-year-old.   When you are one of four, decisions are almost always compromises, but not when you are the only decision-maker!  Toby's main priorities were to see a game in a new-to-him stadium and to try as many Philly cheesesteaks as possible (plus other Philadelphia food specialties).

We ate at Reading Terminal, Pat's, and Geno's, but an incredibly generous amount of ridiculously spicy hot sauce at Geno's prevented us from making our next stop at Ishkabibble's and instead required us to hunt for the closest ice cream possible.  However, before losing his taste buds to the heat, Toby declared Geno's better for it's thicker meat, melted cheese, and juicier experience.  

We headed to the Philly's game, which had the first pitch thrown out by an Iron Chef (so perfect for our foodie!) and included much snacking, of course.  Toby mastered the scorecard and recorded the Philly's win. 

(I may have forced a picture with the almost ten-year-old.  

He likes it, he just doesn't fully know that yet.)

Basically, we have twenty pictures of Toby eating something from this trip...  In the morning, we had Federal Donuts, which were amazing.  We tried strawberry milkshake, burnt caramel, and cookies and cream.  Toby then made some fresh-squeezed orange juice at Di Brunos and sampled the world's best cheddar, Montgomery Cheddar (never beaten in any contest).  He also bought sriracha cheese and landjaeger (jerky) for the trip home.

Our last food-piece was to tour the Hershey Chocolate Factory on our way back home.  Toby was getting tired, but seeing how chocolate is made revitalized him.  He was fascinated by the process, and then he and Mark were both fascinated by the size of chocolates available for purchase.  Toby spent much time choosing a treat for each brother and a few for himself, and then he was happy to get on the road toward home (as long as we stopped at Sheetz for mto dinner).

* * * * *

Today is our Joy Boy's actual tenth birthday, and we will celebrate with his many food requests and a flag football party with friends.  Starting next Friday, Toby will join Eli in the second tradition that begins when you turn ten - getting to stay up late with all double-digit family members for games or movies, and always snacks.  

Tobo, you bring us joy.  You are so silly, and your giggle makes our world brighter.  You always remain true to yourself, you delight in giving good gifts, and you will sacrifice your comfort to defend another.  You love to create art and music, you could play for hours and hours, and you have a hard time putting a book down.  You have willingly taken on extra challenges at school this year, working diligently and without complaint.  You make perfect scrambled eggs.  We think you are the best Toby Joel we could ever have asked for, and it has been a pleasure experiencing these first ten years with you.  Happy birthday, Joy Boy!  You are so loved.