January Part 4: Rachel's Birthday

It was inevitable, Rachel becoming a teenager. The clock demanded it, as it demands each year of all of us. We accepted it, and , dare I say?, we embraced it. We bid farewell to twelve-year-old Rachel with all the grace we could muster in our pajamas. 

Goodbye, forever, my 12-year-old daughter. 

We took the sting off with presents  Rachel eagerly accepted being 13 by enthusiastically and gratefully ripping into her presents. She got new clothes, new books, and a ticket to see Frozen at Hale Center Theater, which was hidden under bags of microwave popcorn placed in the box as a decoy to throw her off the scent of the ticket. She insisted that she got to keep the popcorn, which Brian didn't foresee when he came up with the scheme. 

Rachel was most excited about being able to actually log into the Disneyland App. They don't let you have an account unless you are thirteen or older. 

She was SO excited to start making more serious plans regarding our February girls' trip to Disneyland. 

Rachel picked Mi Ranchito's for dinner. The highlight of the meal was testing out our app, Standing in Line, while we waited for food. 

The restaurant crew sang to her and gave her complimentary fried ice cream. 

Here, she got more presents, which might have included the popcorn decoy present. 

I did my best to draw one of the heads from the Haunted Mansion damask wallpaper. It turned out mostly good. I realized later that I missed an opportunity to recreate the face of the spooky clock in the Haunted Mansion ride that only has the number 13 in the 12's spot. Oh well, there's always next year.

Candles were lit, and Saville-style singing erupted throughout the kitchen. 

Then, we all some of us ate cake.

This year was a date with Mom and Dad year. Rachel wanted to go get pedicures. 

And because she's the birthday girl, she also got a manicure. 

We got matching Minnie Mouse inspired toes that still grace my big toe to this day (but don't worry, I'll be finally taking the remnants off tomorrow or Tuesday in preparation for our trip to Hawaii). 

After the nail salon, we headed to do an escape room. The room we originally booked wasn't working, so we pivoted to a different one. I don't remember what the original was supposed to be, but we had a blast doing the Magic Themed one. We also got a kick out of these riddles that were up in the bathroom. 

Here we were, waiting for our turn to go into the room. 

And here we are after we escaped from it. Did we get a deed again or thwart a bad guy? I don't know, but we conquered had a great time, and that is all that mattered. 

On the Sunday following her birthday, we had family over for dinner. 

This time around, we made mini cheesecakes. 

(Rachel loves her travel minky-couture blanket from Nana and Papa). 

We are so grateful for Rachel and the sunshine she brings into our lives. We're especially grateful for all these years we've been able to spend with her, watching her grow.