16 Candles

Last weekend, we opted to focus on Grace's 16th birthday rather than Halloween 2020.  With Covid cases on the rise in our area, along with recommendations for extra caution if trick-or-treating, we decided we'd just as soon stay in and stay home this year.  Or at least that's what I decided.  Hahahaha.  Thankfully, no one really pushed back on my plan (of laziness) and after buying our own Halloween candy, the girls were happy to dress up for themselves as some girl group from some Disney movie (I think?) that I can't even remember, and Isaac found himself a crayon costume in the dress-up bin that really tickled his fancy.  Hahahaha.  Alex's self-consciousness renders him super okay with NOT dressing up for Halloween anyway, and Ethan nixed costuming YEARS ago, so I'd have to say it was a win-win-win all around.  (Especially for me, since I really enjoyed staying home and doing nothing.  Hahaha.)  

Grace says they're "The Wiggies" from Standing Ovation.  👀

(Left to right: Sophie is Twiggy Wiggy, Grace is Zita Wiggy, and Jane is Zoey Wiggy)

With Grace's birthday on the heels of Halloween, it was the perfect excuse to pivot for our weekend festivities.  She started her celebration Saturday afternoon when Gianna came over to spend the night, and for the rest of the evening, they hung out and had fun while everyone else mostly did their own thing.  {I actually don't think Alex even realized that we hadn't gone trick-or-treating until WELL after the fact.}  

Hahahahaha

Sunday was Grace's actual bday, and after church that day, I made her requested "just surprise me" cake while the other girls wrapped her presents.  After singing and opening gifts, we took a quick break to eat her requested birthday meal of Mac and Cheese, before cutting into the cake and scooping out the ice cream.  All in all, it was a pretty low-key day.  Which thankfully, Grace didn't seem to mind.  ;)

What could be more perfect for Grace than a Netflix icon cake??  Hahahahahahahaha.

Grace and Sophie are oddly obsessed with Harry Potter right now, so this Harry Potter themed daily desk calendar is what she really wanted.  Hahaha.

The piece de resistance!  Confession -- I've always REALLY wanted a record player.  Thankfully, Grace was excited about it, too.  Haha.

To round out this birthday post, I have to end with 16 things I love about Grace since I'm pretty sure that she doth protest too much when she says she hates Words of Affirmation.  Hahahahahaha.  In no particular order, here we go...

1.) I admire the way she can sleep in like a champ

2.) The way she keeps us on our toes is an art form

3.) She's easily the most chill and go-with-the-flow vibe-er of all of the kids (unless she's in a mood)

4.) She can see right through phoniness and insincerity

5.) Her cake making skills have really skyrocketed during the pandemic

6.) Her need to talk non-stop is so endearing

7.) I appreciate that she doesn't care too much about superficial things

8.) She's very easily entertained

9.) Her methods of working smarter rather than working harder are awe-inspiring

10.) She is RELENTLESS in pursuing the things she really wants

11.) I love how much she loved To Kill a Mockingbird when she read it last year

12.)  She's a really good friend

13.) She has always been unapologetically Grace, and I love that

14.) She binge watches shows like a boss

15.) She is a master negotiator

and 16.) She's a natural leader

And there you have it!  Gracie Lou Who is sweet sixteen!  I sure am thankful for this ever-surprising surprise of mine.  ;)