The girls' birthdays have come and gone for the year.
We had a big surprise Sweet 16 party for Big Girl and I can still hardly believe that we were able to pull it off amid the renovations here. I planned everything in secret and then we took Big Girl out to breakfast and to get a haircut and second ear piercings. Meanwhile at home, grandma and auntie put up the decorations, helped the caterer set up, and welcomed in the guests. It takes a village, of course, so we were thankful to our neighbors for letting the guests park in their driveways and to our Ms, Rie for watching Little One and Middle Kiddo before the party.
We kept it much smaller for Little One who was still reeling from the year-long construction here and invited only a few valued teachers and friends.
What are they like right now?
Little One loves Dutch conductor Andre Rieu and opera singers Kimmy Skota and Montserrat Caballe (yes, she listens to opera for fun several times a week) as well as all kinds of music and dance from the latest releases to classical. She dances daily at home and continues to take ballet at the Cincinnati Ballet where she has also announced her plans for future employment. She has made great progress with self-help skills and communication. She showers all of us with hugs, kisses and exuberant declarations of her love. At her own insistence, she now sleeps in her own bedroom and sits with the family for dinner.
Big Girl is into all the trends in fashion, hair, make-up and contemporary music. She continues to pursue her interests in drawing and painting and has also added photography to that list. She writes poetry, prepares her own lunches and breakfasts, and takes self-care rather seriously with long baths and yoga. She makes her own spending money via regular babysitting. Friendships are front and center now with sleepovers and hang-outs/outings and communication throughout the day.
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