13 Years in the Making

If you were to ask Grace, she'd tell you that she's been wanting a dog since the day she was born.  She's probably not that far off, but up to this point, all her hoping and wishing and begging and pleading has been to no avail.  Somehow, however, over the last week I've allowed her to convince me that if she pays for EVERYTHING about getting a dog (fees, vet bills, supplies, food, etc.) I'd let her finally do it.  And folks -- I've made a huge mistake.  Hahaha.

Stranger Things (season 1) inspired cake.

Somehow, I foolishly thought that a.) she'd run out of steam before saving up the amount she's calculated she would need and/or b.) it was such a large amount of money that it would take FOREVER for her to get around to saving it.  She spent most of Saturday (after her birthday "celebration") researching what she would need and calculating the costs, so that on Sunday -- during family council -- she could present to us her whiteboard full of information to convince us that she really WILL be doing this. 

 She's calculated that she'll need $550 to get started.

As she finally managed to drag me to the rescue shelter today, to see what dogs are available now, I was struck by two competing facts: 1.) she REALLY plans on doing this, and 2.) I do NOT want a dog.  DOH!  Now I've got to back pedal and see if I can hold her off for at least another 5 years. Hahaha.  But seriously, though.  I really hope it takes her about 5 years to save up that much money so I don't have to deal with taking care of another animal under this roof.  ;) 

While she may not have her dream present YET, she still managed to enjoy a pretty nice little family celebration on Saturday.  :)  With a "Stranger Things" themed cake and the brand-new bed from IKEA that she's been hounding us for over the last couple of months, I'd say she still made out like a bandit. 

 We didn't have enough candles, but she was more than happy to acquiesce to only lighting up 3 in order to spell out "R-U-N" like in that episode of the show.

 {Fun fact -- Grace almost ALWAYS struggles to blow out the candles on her cake.}

 Feisty Pet from Auntie Em

And the piece de resistance -- a brand new loft bed from IKEA and a swivel chair for her desk.

There you have it folks!  Grace is officially a teenager.  Wish us all luck!  ;)  Hahahaha.