WELLER TOWNSHIP — Danny Haubiel is pretty sure he could have taken advantage of “2 and under get in free” policies at family outings for longer than he did.
His 12-year-old son Zander was born on leap day, 2012. Today, the fifth grader is celebrating his third official birthday.
Zander invited friends over for a Nerf gun war last weekend and plans to have dinner at Wokano Japanese Steakhouse tonight.
Danny said Zander is the “best big brother,” to his 10- and 6-year-old sisters, and 11-year-old brother. He has seven siblings total.
“I was stationed in Afghanistan when he was born, and it was March 1 there,” the Army veteran said. “My first sergeant woke me up like eight weeks before Zander’s due date, so I was surprised.”
Zander’s mom, Tonya Wallace, said she knew his birthday would be different on the day he was born.
“I think my favorite story was when he was 4 and my older daughter would tell him he’s only 1,” she said. “That made him cry because he didn’t want to be 1, he wanted to be 4.”
Zander was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 4 years old and underwent brain surgery at age 8. He has been seizure-free since the surgery.
“He’s a trooper,” his dad said. “He never complained once. The staff at Nationwide were all amazing throughout the whole process, too.”
Zander said he doesn’t miss having seizures, but he misses special coffee that he would drink with his mom at the hospital.
“They have these drinks called magic mochas at the children’s hospital,” he said. “I don’t miss the seizures, but I miss going to the hospital for the coffee.”
The 12-year-old said he doesn’t remember much of his hospital stay when he had brain surgery about three years ago.
“I had electrodes put on my head, and then had to have surgery a few months later,” he said.
The Crestview Middle School student said his favorite subject is science. He likes to run, swim and play Minecraft and Roblox.
He doesn’t tell many people that he was born on leap day because he said it gets annoying.
“He says sometimes that he’s younger than me, but I tell him I can boss him around if I’m older,” said 10-year-old Chesney Haubiel.
Zander said he doesn’t know what he wants to do when he grows up, but likes the idea of being a YouTuber.
“Maybe I can do a YouTube live with Mr. Beast,” he said.
