Our sweet Emily turned 14 last week.
First of all, I need to preface this post by letting you know that Emily feels that her birthday is often overshadowed by other family events. I believe that every year for the past 4 we've been traveling on her birthday. So perhaps her feelings are correct, and not just middle-child mumbo jumbo angst.
It's not that we don't celebrate it. We've had Emily's day in
Philly, PA, in
Possum Kingdom, TX even in Disney World, for pity's sake. But she has this niggling apprehension that maybe, just maybe, we'd rather be doing
anything instead of celebrating the glorious anniversary of her arrival into this world.
So, this year, we're actually
at home for her blessed birthday, and asked her where she wanted to go for a birthday lunch. Since her birthday fell on a Sunday, and we live in Utah County where only about 10% of the available restaurants are actually open on the first day of the week, she decided she'd like to celebrate with a lunch a day early (when it's open) at Paradise Bakery and Cafe.
So we loaded up the minivan and headed out!
The weather was perfect for eating outside, and gave it that euro-vibe that makes everything taste better.
The real celebration was on Sunday. Emily is also a fan of her mother's favorite cake, the Chocolate Strawberry Torte.
Well-lit with 14 candles.
For those of you unaware, Emily is the most fashion conscious member of our family. And so, appropriately, this was a very clothes-centric festivity.
We scored a ton of stuff at DownEast's tent sale. We got stuff for 90% off. Which is highly appropriate for Emily, because not only is she fashionable, she's budget conscious.
Her sisters would say miserly. I say fiscally responsible.
In any case, the fact that we got so much of the loot on the cheap made it even more fun for Emily...and for her parents.
Jenna made the coolest miniature playground for Emily, her way of saying "thanks for all the times we play together at the park."
That girl is over-the-top creative. By the way, that "playground bark" is construction paper meticulously cut and glued.
Finally, Emily's favoritest gift of all was...
a cell phone! And no, that's not the real phone, just a proxy we put in the bag to give her something to hold.
Here's the real deal.
Yes, as of Friday she is rapidly developing a case of text thumb.
Happy Birthday, our sweet wonderful Emily!
...a look we've affectionately named "the jack o'lantern",
with enough metal to pick up AM stations in Maine,
Look how straight! How perfectly aligned! How unfettered!
First of all, I need to preface this post by letting you know that Emily feels that her birthday is often overshadowed by other family events. I believe that every year for the past 4 we've been traveling on her birthday. So perhaps her feelings are correct, and not just middle-child mumbo jumbo angst.
The weather was perfect for eating outside, and gave it that euro-vibe that makes everything taste better.
The real celebration was on Sunday. Emily is also a fan of her mother's favorite cake, the Chocolate Strawberry Torte.
Well-lit with 14 candles.
For those of you unaware, Emily is the most fashion conscious member of our family. And so, appropriately, this was a very clothes-centric festivity.
We scored a ton of stuff at DownEast's tent sale. We got stuff for 90% off. Which is highly appropriate for Emily, because not only is she fashionable, she's budget conscious.
That girl is over-the-top creative. By the way, that "playground bark" is construction paper meticulously cut and glued.
a cell phone! And no, that's not the real phone, just a proxy we put in the bag to give her something to hold.
Yes, as of Friday she is rapidly developing a case of text thumb.
Is there anything more delightful than green, slimy, semi-solid matter?
Apparently not.
What, pray-tell, goes into this strange concoction? I'm so glad you asked.
Gooey...
So slimy, so messy...so fun!
It's the last day!!
Escaping from the tramp tent.
Enthusiasm!
Let summer begin!
Anya's favorite cake, funfetti with no frosting.
By the way, have any of you tried a funfetti cake lately? It's stinkin' good! I don't know what they put in that blue box, but I'm pretty sure it and Krispy Kreme donuts share some sort of mystery ingredient. Perhaps it's the fetti, you know, of the fun variety. Addictive, unexpectedly delightful, and of course, no redeeming nutritional value.
Some of us added fresh strawberries, because even the delicious funfetti is vastly improved with strawberries in season.
And there was prolific gift giving, including the poster over her head, made by Jenna.
And while this has nothing to do with her birthday, or turning 17, or the current state of the Middle East...
the girl has an incredible head of hair.
Ain't she cute?
On the eve of her birthday, we sent her up to Salt Lake for a night alone with books, NetFlix and snacks. A massage was scheduled for her birthday morn, followed by a lunch date with a sweet friend.
When she returned, the house was bedecked in festive glee, inside and out.
She scored loot from friends across the miles.
After a spring-themed dinner of bruschetta and salad, we brought out the big guns -- our reknowned Chocolate Strawberry Torte!
Surrounded by the love of her family.
Happy 5 decades, Karen! We love you!!