Cadence's 18th Birthday

Happy 18th Birthday to my sweet Cadence.  My baby is an adult!!  How does this even happen?  I'm not old enough to have an adult child!

Given the lockdown situation we were in, we didn't get to do a whole lot for her birthday, but she actually liked the quiet family time this year.  She's been so busy with school, applications, & other "adult" things that she said she just wanted one day of NOTHING.  We granted that wish for her.

We may have taken it easy all day, but you know me. . . there were still plenty of decorations involved.

For her birthday breakfast she asked for French crepes, bacon, oranges, & a ding dong.

Isn't she the cutest 18 year old you've ever seen?  I think so.

She had lots of fun presents to open to celebrate her special day.  

She got some money from her aunties which was really special & will help her at college.  And I was able to give her a book I made with letters, videos, & pictures from her family, extended family, & friends from all over the world.  It was SO special to see how many people reached out with messages for her.  She will treasure those messages forever.

Craiger made her some homemade slime & bought her a Milka bar.

My friend Nancy, gave her her first "grown up"
piece of jewelry; a 1/4 carat diamond pendant.

Nancy also supplied her with enough clothes & 
shoes to last her a year!

Taya painted Cadence a beautiful card & bought
her a milka bar.

Opa & Oma gave her a beautiful dress &
a cute phone holder.

Mimi & Baba got her a mirror to take to college
so since she'll have to share a bathroom with 
roomates.

We spent most of the day relaxing, reading, & playing games.  We bought a set of "jackbox" games & played them as a family for nearly 4 hours.  We were having SO MUCH FUN.  It was so NICE spending that time together.  Cadence has always been one about togetherness & I think that gift was the greatest gift this year & she gave it to us rather than us giving it to her.  She also was able to call some of her best friends for a few hours to celebrate.  

For her birthday dinner, she requested Cajun Chicken Pasta, corn & strawberries.

And for her big birthday treat, I made her her favorite:

Triple fudge Reeses Peanut Butter cake.  YUM.

We let her cut it herself being the "grown up" that she is now.

It was a quiet, at home kind of birthday, but Cadence honestly wouldn't have had it any other way.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful GROWN UP girl.  I love you.