Happy Birthday, Grace!

 

On Sunday, before I brought the girls back to PL for their week as campers, we had breakfast at our favorite place in Freeport. Blueberry Ricotta toast for Emma and me and an açaí bowl for Grace. Absolute deliciousness. Highly recommend! As this is the first year that Grace is not home on her birthday we celebrated all last weekend. Since no birthday celebration is complete without a birthday treat, we brought a small container of raspberry petit fours with us (along with candles and matches) to enjoy after breakfast. Unfortunately there was a slight breeze outside where we ate and no matter what we tried the candies would not stay lit. We went in, asked the owner if we could light her birthday treat inside to which he said “Of course! And if you want we can all sing to you too!” Everyone in the restaurant agreed and then one customer asked what her name was. The rest you see here! Thank you Wanderlust Juicery for being so kind and for helping us end Grace’s ninteenth birthday weekend in such a celebratory and sweet way!

This is Seventeen

This is seventeen. Seventeen is a wicked sense of humor. Seventeen is spt on observation of the world around her (and telling it like it is). Seventeen is Starbucks runs with her sister/best friend and learning to drive. Seventeen is researching make-up brands to determine which is cuelty free and worth her money, and watching Instagram reels and sendign them to her mama and sister all day long ("not the Instagram reels!"). Seventeen is Lord of the Rings and Hunger Games and Taylor Swift songs. Seventeen is amazinga nd I am here for it (even if it has all gone by way too fast)! Happy birthday, Grace Elizabeth! May this next year be full of wishes come true! xo 

On Grace's Birthday

 

The most fabulous sixteenth birthday for this sweet soul! It's hard to believe that she's sixteen already, as it truly seems as if it was just yestrday that she arrived earthside! These sixteen years have flown quickly by but have been full of magic, wonder, sweetness and love! Thank you, Grace Elizabeth, for making our dreams of parenthood a reliaty. It has been a true joy to watch you grow into the amazing young woman that you are, and it's the honor of a lifetime to be your mama! xo 

A Wicked Sweet Sixteenth!

 

We are all happily tired tonight after a fabulous day of celerbating Miss Grace Elizabeth. I'll post more about her birthday later on but for now I leave you with this picture which is one of the incredible memories from this day that I will carry with me always. xo 

Happy Birthday, Grace!

 

Happy birthday to this incredible young woman! So honored to get to be here mama! It was quite the journey to becoming a mom but she (and her equally incredible sister) were absolutely worth the wait! Can't wait to see what amazingness is in store for her during this next trip around the sun! 

Today was another fabulous birthday celebration of which I'll share more pictures and stories about tomorrow! Tonight, we are full of sugar and wonderful memories of a delightful day celebrating this extraordinary soul. Sweet dream will surely be had by all! xo

Chicken Update

 On Wednesday we met up with my mom (the first time we had seen a member of our family that we don't live with since early Febraury) to celebrate Grace's birthday. Before we said our good-byes she handed us a few things, one of which was this gift from my brother for Grace (or, really, the chickens). 

 If you haven't seen the video of chickens playing xylophone be sure to check it out here. 

 So, that evening, the girls took the xylophone out to the coop to show the birds. 

 Though these pictures don't capture it correctly they were indeed curious, with Amelia (Grace;s favorite of the hens) playing a bit. 

 One day soon we'll have to figure out a way to hang it up so they can peck at it and "play"! 

 Worn out after their music lesson! 

Fast forward to yesterday when we learned we had a rooster (for sure)! There had been some question about this bird for awhile, but when Dave heard it crow while he was working on the rose garden there was no denying it! Nubs was a he, not a she as we had thought! Thankfully my friend Stephanie was in need of  a rooster so we brought him to her (and then got to meet her three new goats)! Thank you, Stephanie, for all your help and for giving Nubs such a good home! xo

Yesterday At Pickity Place

Yesterday, the girls and I went to Pickity Place as the final part of Grace's birthday celebration! It was the first time since before the pandemic that we had eaten a multi course meal inside a restaurant (we had met my mom for ice cream in West Hartford on Wednesday and as there was no one inside the ice cream shop other than the employees we decided we felt comfortable staying inside). Pickity Place is currently at 50% capacity for inside. In the room we were in there were only three tables being used and everyone was distanced beautifully. The staff also wore masks the entire time.

Little Red Riding Hood's cape. 

The three of us had the chicken pomodoro as our entree. Every course was delicious (as always)! 

I am so glad that Grace asked to celebrate her birthday at Pickity Place and I am so glad that we were able to go (because, honestly, you never know with this pandemic)! It truly was the absolute perfect place to have our first meal since this all began. xo