Freshly 16

Today has been fun and also I’m glad to finish it up. 

Delaney and Matt headed out early to buy a second pair of pointe shoes before the spring recital. She felt like her first pair were too narrow, so she needed to be fitted again and since we’re heading out of town, it was best to get it done now. I knew I’d be too busy with Frankie’s party, so Matt got that joy.

Frankie and I worked all day on her party prep. She made her banner and blew up all the balloons and set up the basement while I cooked and did dishes and repeated that about 5 times. 

Delaney went to the middle school play and Matt and I went to the hospital so Matt and Richard could give Jackie a blessing. 

Adi pitched in and made the strawberry muddy buddies and practiced piano for tomorrow and laid low with cramps. 

At 3:30 Matt, Adi, and Delaney headed to meet the youth for Chicfila and a special fireside with Elder Nash. I gave a training one time and took a lot of info from a leadership training video he participated in, so I always think of that when his name comes up. 🙃

At 5, 10 cute girls showed up to par-tay! I love the shoe piles. 

Gotta arrange the gift table cutley! 

I set up all the food downstairs and have made myself pretty scarce. I did go down to take some pictures though. 

She invited two sets of friends - the cheer girls,  

And the other school friends.

She came up for happy birthday and presents. I love these girls because they love a picture as much as I do!

Wild that this girl will be 16 on Tuesday. She’s been such a gem lately, just sweet and steadfast and hard working. 

One time at one of Adi’s parties one of her friends had to leave early but wanted to see her open their present, so we did it just with them and I got pictures of the giver and the birthday girl and I loved that! Opening presents in a big group can be so awkward and overwhelming for the birthday child, and also I love acknowledging the giver with a special hug and picture. 

Anyway, I made these girls do the same, except she did open everything all together. 

They each quickly and happily went up and posed.  

These girls might be a smidge shallow, but they love documenting with pictures! And they are sweet girls. 

And they know Frankie really well and gave her such thoughtful gifts! She’s a lucky lady!

This was my first 16th birthday party since Alexis and Adi both took the trip option. 

Frankie requested, and I made - flower cupcakes - except I thought the flowers would be easier to pipe abd I was wrong and did not have the time today to practice, so they’re just kind of flower-esque, shrimp cocktail (so good, like the Texas ones I first tried and loved!), buffalo chicken dip, strawberry muddy Buddy’s, a fruit platter, hot Cheetos, Cadbury eggs, Reese’s cups, and then some random appetizers - pizza, poppers, and fried cheese. 

While the girls partied I cleaned up, again and then even had time for my Saturday chores. It’s wild to have a Saturday night pretty much to myself since Matt has the girls and Frankie is occupied. 

The party goes till 10 and Frankie has been sticking to the agenda I made her write out. 

I would happily host more hang outs. These kids need to spend more time with friends. At least my girls do.  

Oh yeah, they also had a dirty soda bar with our fun balls of ice and sugar cookie, vanilla, and sweet cream add-ins. 

They’re making pipe cleaner flowers (TikTok) and watching Pitch Perfect. Pretty sweet 16!