Mark Turns TEN

Mark is one lucky dude, let me tell you! He gets to celebrate his birthday pretty much for a couple of weeks, have a school break in the middle and lots of yummy food! Right after Christmas, since a lot of his tennis buddies were in town sitting twirling their thumbs, waiting to play more tennis, we organized a tennis celebration with three of his friends. I reserved two courts and for almost two hours these boys played tennis-doubles, singles, and a bunch of tennis games. It was a lot of fun!

And topping it off with frozen yogurt from Menchie's made it even better. This is Mark, Neel, Stephen and Ryan, by the way. Mark's sweatshirt is matching Menchie's colors-haha.

Then Mark's actual birthday came....and brought lots more presents! Oh look--it's a tennis calendar, a tennis bag, a jump rope with a counter (from Katya), a head wrap (why?) (from Alex), a Nike hat for playing winter tennis, a pickle ball set (basically mini tennis), Sport Resort (to play tennis), wrist bands, tennis socks, Sugarpova treats (by Maria Sharapova), tennis bag, root beer and a math book. Wow! I admit, some of those gifts would eventually be "necessities" for tennis, but we kind of dedicated them to his birthday. 

His favorite gift was his new tennis bag that fits six rackets (he only needs to at the moment, to be honest;).

For his family celebration he requested a crepe cake--crepes with whip creme in the middle.

And finally, a week after his birthday, when people were back in school and busy with mundane January tasks, we had a friends celebration! Mark took a few friends to Defy Gravity which is a trampoline center and is coveted place to go for him. 

For his friends celebration birthday cake, Mark went with a non-traditional cake again (crazy child)--he wanted a donut cake! So yeah...that's what he got. Easiest birthday cakes ever!

And finally, the annual check-in with Mark:

Height: 57 inches (145 cm)

Favorite Sport: Tennis

Favorite Book: "Refugee"

Favorite Movie right now: Avengers: Infinity War

Favorite Color: Purple

Hobby: Tennis and basketball
When I grow up I want to be: Tennis Player