While this year has ramped up in intensity the amount of daily appointments, errands, and activities, I wanted to make Anne’s 16th birthday celebration very special. She and her friends are very interested in house plants, so I came up with the idea of a succuelent planting party. Throughout the summer, anytime we were out thrifting we looked for interesting and beautiful containers. The end result was 12 really fun and unique pieces.
Since Anne skipped a grade most of her friends can drive so they drove over to our house after their half day of school. The girls ate, chatted, sang, laughed and all of it was done at a high volume. They were a delightful group of girls, much better teenagers than Trent or I were.
Anne continues to enjoy and be extremely gifted at art. She is considering what she would like to do in the future, and art education has risen to the top of her career choices. While she would love to be a book illustrator we are walking the balance of encouraging a talented child but also being practical about the cost of college and the career options available with your degree. The balance of guidance and encouragement is a new and tricky one we’re trying to navigate.
Anne also enjoys reading. She has always been good at it and it came easily to her. Anne is also funny: she currently has a voice that makes me laugh literally everytime she says anything in it. She’s good at using it to diffuse my irritation.
Teaching a teen to drive is more nerve wracking than I expected. Most of the time she does great, until she doesn’t. It will take some time but I’m looking forward to having another driver in the house!
Happy sweet 16, Anne! We love you! I still owe her a coffee date that I hope to do soon.
