A Free Slushie
Parents tell their kids all sorts of lies including some like these that are just sweet and silly. The OP’s birthday is on the 11th of July and 7/11 gives away free slushies on 7/11. So, on his 7th, 8th, and 9th birthdays, his parents told him that 7/11 wanted to celebrate his birthday by giving him free slushies and he bought it.
Apparently, he thought they just really liked him. Well, any slushie is good as far as we’re concerned. Besides, if your white lie can bring joy to a little boy, we say go ahead and do it.