Happy 16th Birthday, Daniel!!

Daniel is 16 now!

16 years! Where did that time go?! 

Crazy that Daniel can drive now.  That's the big thing for 16 of course, though Daniel doesn't actually exactly care that he can drive- he's in zero hurry for that. But- he did do Driver's Ed this summer and he can, in fact, drive. We still have many driving hours to finish up on our own. Our state has a rule that learners have to have their permit for 9 months and have done 50 driving hours with a parent, too, which brings us to at least March anyway for the earliest he could get his license. Still- he's driving! I have to just really force myself to not think about it, really, because oof, it's huge to send your kid out into the world on their own, especially on wheels. It's not Daniel I worry about, he's doing well- it's other people. I finally did drive with him a few times lately, which freaked me out only because I'm me and a mom. Daniel is doing great and he's very responsible and we know he'll be ready when it finally comes time. 

Anyway, car-themed Legos and a Mickey keychain seemed apt for gifts this year! And let me tell you- I've had this keychain for literal years; it has lived in one spot in my bedroom alllll these years and I never moved it because I knew if I did I would never find it again. And all along I said I was saving it for when Daniel turned 16. And, well, now he's 16. Time to gift it! I'm amazed I remembered to get it out and wrap it up after all this time! It now hangs with the rest of our keys. 

Happy 16th Birthday, Daniel! We love you so very much and we love watching you grow up. We had fun celebrating your birthday. That's a lot of candles on that cake...each representing the best years of my life, as well as the amazing kid you are. I love how bright the candles shine...just like you and your presence in our lives. 

For fun...Google made me a collage with pictures of my boy and me over the years. Aww!

Party Time!

We celebrated Daniel's birthday with family a week before his birthday and we're so glad everyone could come! I had fun decorating with car-themed decorations- wheel cut-outs hanging all over and a Hot Wheels birthday banner. Gotta celebrate in style for the big 16!

We enjoyed visiting and celebrating, and especially having all the play time with the kids! Daniel most looked forward to the cousin time- he's the sweetest with them all.

When it was time for presents, Hannah was an excellent helper. We especially loved her paper airplane card- so cute. Hannah gave Daniel the presents and she also helped with the garbage. In fact, she was so keen to do the garbage, she helped Daniel unload one of his gift bags so she could do her job. We were laughing so much- it was too funny and so cute. 

Daniel got lots of fun things, including the now traditional fun socks (which he wears alllll the time!). And of course, a new Mickey plush, too! Our Mickey cabinet is getting extra full! But it's still so fun to collect them. Daniel also got a nerf gun and even a new car! Well, okay, it's a Hot Wheel car...the best he's going to get for a while, haha. Legos and a snap-together model car rounded out the fun!

Thanks to everyone for coming out and celebrating this great kid's 16th birthday!  

Hannah helped Daniel open this present...she just wanted to do her job with the garbage! Clearly, Daniel didn't move fast enough for her, haha.  

Happy Birthday, buddy! 

Graham is getting so big! He's almost 1! So cute!

Duplo train time!

Daniel was an awesome grandkid- he walked Grandma Cheryl to her car with the umbrella. Nice guy. Good kid. 

Sweet Friends

I have the nicest friends. That's it. That's the post. I just wanted to remind myself of this someday. :) 

Okay, I'll tell the stories...

First, back in February, my sweet book club friends gifted me an AMAZING and VERY generous basket of goodies and gift cards just to say thank you for all I do to organize our group. I was floored. It was completely unexpected and out of the blue. There was so much stuff in this basket and the gift cards were just wow. It was a lovely surprise.

Pictured, left to right, back to front, are the book club members who came that night (we have many more, but it varies month to month)...

Justine, Suzanne, Meghan, Julie, Julie, Esra, Tanja, Jill

Heather, me, Monica, Karen, and Christin 

In May, my friend, Carmen, whom I adore, gave me flowers to thank me for the graduation gift I gave her daughter. The flowers were also very unexpected and they were so pretty!! Carmen is just THE sweetest friend. She's a champion of my kids, the girl mom I reach out to with all manner of questions, a hugger, an uplifter, and I just love being in her company, she's that kind of person for me.

And then for my birthday, my dear friend, Christin, hosted a birthday tea at her house, with a few of my friends (Dawn and Jill) and delicious food! We had the nicest time. Christin was SO nice to do this. I loved it. She's amazing for knowing this was something I'd love and prefer, a more intimate, quiet gathering. Christin is all-in thoughtful like this and I appreciate her so much. I love that she's in my life at this time, with solidarity and strength for teenage-hood and spontaneity for my day-times. 

I have good people in my life and I cherish my moments with them. 

Cousin Playdate

Josie came to play while Annabel was away at band camp and then begged to come play again when Annabel was HOME and we happily made that happen! I love when Josie is here because I have kids actually playing, and playing hard, in my house again. This brings me so much joy!

A New Toy for Daniel

Daniel had a big item on his birthday list this year: a 3D printer! 

The boys did a lot of research and gave this a lot of thought and we made it happen.

Happy early 16th birthday, Daniel! 

Daniel had fun getting it set up right away and has big plans to print Nerf gun kits already. So fun to see him getting excited about this new toy and the projects ahead. I'm excited for him, too!

As for me, I'm now getting 3D printer filament ads on my phone, haha. This both makes me laugh and spooks me. 

We just need to figure out a better home for this printer because the cats are VERY interested in this cool new machine! Good thing we have some ideas already. 

 

Anyway, so fun to have our very own 3D printer now!

 

So, what should MY first print be? The possibilities are endless... 

Quick Weekend in Crystal Falls

Daniel asked for a trip to Crystal Falls...so we did it over Labor Day weekend. It was a lovely weekend!

And since we were going to be there, other family members came, too! I love that this happens so often! So we saw Mike and Suzi of course, being at their house most of our time up there (aside from our usual shopping). And then Hope and Carey and their two kids, Nora and Chloe were there, too- we even celebrated Chloe's birthday while we were there! And Tom and Jody came for a brief visit as well. Love this family time!

Whenever we go up, I can count on it being the nicest time. It's definitely a happy place for me. 

Enjoy these FUN pictures of my kids being kids!

Daniel really enjoys his morning walks near the hotel with Grandma and Grandpa. It's become quite the tradition for him to do this.

I had a lot of fun playing with the way sunlight caught on the trees this trip, as you'll see in many of the pictures. 

 

  

 

The kids played many rounds of Uno No Mercy. So fun. (We'd given this to Chloe for her birthday.)

 

 

 

Chloe got these bubbles as one of her birthday presents. And let me tell you, the kids all had so much fun with these. The fun lasted a long time. I LOVED watching my kids just let loose like this- it happens less and less as they get older, so this, it was just the best. I'll also say once Chloe realized Daniel would play, like PLAY play, with her- she was in heaven and they just all had such fun running around, making giant bubbles, and laughing so much. Gosh I love Daniel for being that kid. Annabel sure looked like she had a good time, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

  

 

 

Hope and Carey's dog, Rory, is sooo cute. He's a ball of fun! 

  

Got some fun selfies and group pictures! 

  

  

 

We got Nora to come out of her room for this picture! So nice to have a group picture of these kiddos.

 

Already looking forward to returning next year some time!