I feel like that the
last 48 hrs have been a blur . Big blur cloud of happiness and
sunshine and love and goodness really
We hosted 20
teenagers at our cottage all weekend to celebrate Beauty's sweet 16 .
Yes you heard right
20 teens and cloud full of happiness all in the same sentence !
It was up there for
me with some of my favourite other days and moments of my life . So incredibly
happy moments were
all equally matched
by beauty's
appreciation and gratitude . Was worth every penny spent and every ounce of
energy invested in this special weekend
That I know for sure
.
Some of the many
things that I loved about this weekend :
Making it a surprise
. She knew the invitees and the date and at cottage and nothing else . I had so
much fun planning it with her great fiends and so many hours of secrets and
texts and plans . Took a ton of my time but was fun and different and
meaningful to me
I loved the playful
young elements to the party . The spongebob bouncy castle and the dollar store
prizes . The piñata and the freezie pops . The hoola shirts and hot dogs and
corn with paintbrush butter . The coolers full of soft drinks and everyone
outdoors and playing all day morning until night . I loved the games we played
and the speeches given .
I loved that is was
made special . We rented rooms and a party room at a cozy little family run
auberge 5 mins from Trent and everyone got dressed up for the party evening and
then pyjamas for brunch . Speeches and karaoke
in the microphones
and Karoke contests . Each drink was named after beauty's many nicknames . It
all had a flavour of surprises and specialness
Some of my fave
unforgettable moments :
Beauty's reaction
when she saw the huge bouncy castle . I wasn't there yet
but hubby said was priceless
Simon ( her boyfriend
) sitting with me in the front of the car and all the boys in my van in back
and him taking a host role throughout the whole weekend
The teens loving
everything at Trent . All the kayaks and paddle boat and spa and bouncy and
chairs and hammock and of course the boat and Jetski . The whole weekend had a
resort feel to it exactly as we love it
Simon and Beauty .
The are truly an adorable loving couple whom are best friends . So active and
connected yet so both independent too which makes them even more special . A
loving caring supportive and Fun relationship . I love seeing my daughter Happy
and she is truly at her happiest with her amazing beau . Did I just admit this
all ? Me who never wanted her to ever have a boyfriend before 17 !?
All the confidence of
especially all the girls there . There were 13 girls and 7 boys . Each girl is
unique and diverse and just so strong and powerful . I love these girls ( the
boys were great too ! )
The piñata when
beauty actually truly cried bc she thought there was no candy Left for her and
then Simon comes and gives her a big bucket . We have this in video and it is
true ! I peed my pants laughing for real ! Then she goes and sits in a corner
with her big bucket and eats it all by herself . Sugar addiction maybe ??
I loved seeing teens
outside and in nature all day long for 2 days . Sure phones were around but
given all their
friends were in the same spot there was no need to connect ! I love teens in
nature and being active on the water
How respectful they
all were . Not once did we leave this gangs side or give them any space . Me
and hubby and chase were there with them all days and all evening for every
moment . They all included us , talked to us , thanked us many times and didn't
seem to think we were annoying ! I got to know each and everyone of them very
well and had a blast ourselves !
I loved how they
listened to the rules . There was not even a thought of alcohol or breaking
rules about sneaking into each others rooms boy/ girl . We made our rules Clear
and simple and our expectations Chrystal clear ( by writing and on
microphone !! ) I love kids who listen :) and have a great time ! So many people
believe kids can only really party if alcohol . I am here to tell you it is not
true ! I had 20 very happy teens on my hands having a total blast !
I loved the party at
the auberge when we played beauty trivia and they were so excited to win for
the little prizes I bought !
Beauty's speeches at
the microphone were so cute . That girl apparently loves a mike ! She thanked
every single person there individually and said something special about them .
And thanked us too ! It was so so sweet ! I saw a completely different side of
my daughter . She is truly adored by this " squad " and loved . Hugs
kisses ... so many of them said such nice things to her
Two bffs made a video
of all pictures and videos from childhood of the 5 girls . We all sat in the
solarium piled on a couch watching it . Was
so adorable and the
cutest thing I have ever seen . Of course I cried the whole time .
We had such simple
and fun and yummy food . I loved the corn peeling contest ( all 40 got peeled
in 2 mins ! ) the candy bar was a total hit ! Good
old fashioned fun in food
I loved seeing chase
take and adult role with me and his dad . All three of us a team together and
doing so much of the work with zero complaint . So helpful and fun . And many
girls are crushing on him and one completely in love with him . So funny ! And
so cute !
Was cute how beauty
and Simon were really taking the role of hosting . They gave all the seedoo
rides and cleaned
up the harder parts like bathrooms and bigger jobs etc . And handled some of
the politics going on at the end . A real power duo they are
The jacuzzi ! Never
seen so many people in it so long and all day . We have to empty it all for
sure as yucky water now but man they had fun in it !
Simon saying on video
how beautiful emma is :))) so sincerely
Flipping all the kids
in the tube !
The big adventure of
boat breaking down with 18 kids in it ! Driven by chase while we were helpless
at cottage on cell hearing about it all . He and Simon figured out together how
to tow it by the seedoo
The tube and dock
collapsing ! All the kids thought we were so chill for not freaking out but end
of season anyways and all can be fixed . We are not fussy about stuff like this
. As long as they all help us clean up and fix stuff basket c !
I loved at the end
how I have each kid a chore that they were responsible for and they did it .
Everyone in that house helped out and was adorable . There was a lot to clean
as we let it get messy to just enjoy along the way and everyone did their part
I love watching our
daughter grow . I love how graceful she is and how funny . What a free spirit
she has and how fearless . How affectionate she is with everyone and also needs
her space her and there ( aka first to fall asleep at her own party ) I love
seeing her make choices ... and she is so not a drama queen and I love that too
. This weekend we fell in love with our daughter all over again . She was like Molly said a little sunshine :)
I liked how no fuss Beauty is . Her own party and just had no makeup and messy hair and was herself
. Even for the evening she knew I bought her an outfit and she just put it on
and wore it . I don't even know if she had makeup or a toothbrush ! And shoes
were a last minute thought and she borrowed a bra . I love how natural that
girl is and so naturally beautiful and carefree
The weather !!! Was
perfect and amazing !! For sept was so hot and not a cloud in the sky . I love
how so many people swam in the freezing lake !
The breakfast at the
auberge was so yummy
I liked how the kids
all chill together everywhere they can . They are like magnets and cling in
communal places .The auberge was amazing for that and they all hung out inside
.. outside .. the family room in between the rooms ... the spa outside ... on
balconies . It was an expense for sure to do it that way for the evening and
sleeping but made it so so special and memorable with the big party room
It was fun to see our
own family of five cooperate together to make this happen as cooperation is not
always our strongest quality . Hubby me and chase ran the show and I loved
seeing the three of us as a team of adults to make sure nobody drown , drank or
did anything dangerous so we could often hover and make decisions for stuff the
three of us . Cliff jumping ? Life jackets on kayaks ? Curfew for party ?
Then at home bear
held down the fort here as had some social events and made dinner for when got
back , cleaned the whole house , cleaned up from us after dinner , returned the
car we borrowed . And beauty was also an active part of it all and really
played the hostess so well as not easy to have so many teens for an entire
weekend . At home I loved those minutes when she thanked us all so heart felt
and gave us each huge hugs including chase who did so much for her and she knew
and understood it . I loved how bear was concerned for us about the cost of it
all and expressed it . I love who are children are turning into as adults . I
find when we take the time to not be cleaning studying working I get to soak
them in . I get to see them and experience them . My love for all three this
weekend was large and immense . So was my respect for them
All in all there were
so many moments of this weekend to love and the above are just a few . Most of
all it was seeing our daughter glow . Glow of happiness . She was truly in her
element and I got to see her in her tribe . And wow does she ever have a good
tribe . I love the people she loves and that just felt so damn good as a parent
.
Thank you to all the
kids reading this for being wonderful and fun and kind and respectful and
adoring our little girl . We loved getting to know you and you are all fabulous
people . Thanks for making the weekend a huge success and come back anytime ! (
maybe a few at a time ? ) lol !
Happy early sweet 16
to our meh meh emmabella ! And don't expect another party like this until your
wedding !!!
We love you Meh Meh!
 |
| Special Bday gidt of a lifetime! |
