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Cutchogue sixth grader turns 11 on 11/11/11

SAMANTHA BRIX PHOTO | Anthony Lopez, a Cutchogue East Elementary School sixth grader, is turning 11 on Friday, Nov. 11 — 11/11/11.

Anthony Lopez is going to have sushi and a cow’s tongue for dinner tonight.

The 10-year-old doesn’t always request the latter dish, which his Mother, Glendy Lopez, boils, slices, rubs down with spices and serves with tomato sauce.

Anthony is turning 11 this Friday, which is the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 2011. And he can hardly contain himself.

“It was a month before my birthday when I was about to turn 7 that I realized I was going to turn 11 on 11/11/11,” Anthony explained. “I got so excited.”

And to make the day even better, Anthony will have the day off for his birthday, as schools will be closed for Veteran’s Day.

He celebrated with classmates in his sixth-grade class at Cutchogue East Elementary School on Thursday with fruit kebabs and ice cream cupcakes with the number 11 written in icing on each one.

Ms. Lopez said her son has been telling everyone about his big day, from family members to strangers in the grocery store. He announced the news to some relatives while sitting around a bonfire during a trip to Colorado this past summer.

“He just stood up and said, ‘Guess what? This year’s going to be so special,’ and gave them the news,” she said.

His aunt, uncle and cousins immediately offered to fly in for the unique birthday weekend. They’ll arrive on Saturday and head with Anthony’s family into New York City, one of Anthony’s favorite destinations, to see the Statue of Liberty and the Lego display at Toys R’ Us.

Anthony said he’s looking forward to celebrating his birthday with his cousins, some sushi and the cow’s tongue — especially the cow’s tongue.

“It’s my favorite,” he said.

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