13 years of parenting

Today we celebrated Ellie‘s 13th birthday. I think the day worked out almost exactly as Eli wanted. I’m happy that she got to have the day that she wanted at the relaxing pace that she wanted. She decided to open her presents first thing in between enjoying her homemade cinnamon buns. After a lazy morning and her getting present she really really wanted including two big beanbag chairs and AirPods from granny, she started baking the most elaborate cake ever. 

After lunch grandma came for a visit and brought her a cake decorating set that came just in time as she put it. She quickly proceeded to use that to icing the cake and was very proud of the job that she did. His cake was a magnificent heavy sugary peanut butter and chocolate delight. She was very proud of this. 

In the afternoon she got to go for a walk with two friends and play in the trampoline for a while.

She got to have dinner from one of her favorite places, just as she requested. Her daddy dutifully ran off to Frederick to get exactly what she wanted. After dinner and cake, her and I went downstairs to watch a fairly grown-up movie that she had set her eyes on for her 13th birthday. It’s called 5 feet apart. I know it’s time to start letting her grow up and be exposed to more grown-up topics. It is not easy. I know I need to try to embrace it and enjoy it. I always knew I would be a better parent to a young kid than a teenager. Now the teenage years are here and I pray for the strength and wisdom to be a good mom to my teens. I pray I can point then in the right direction to fulfill all God intends them to be. 

I love you Ellie Grey. I’m so proud of you and so very blessed to be your Mom!

These black-and-white photos are some pictures Ellie took of her self on my phone today. It’s interesting to see the way she wants to capture herself.

And here is the cake in the end of our day.