Juliette’s birthday came quick on the heels of her brother’s. Again, it was a multi-day string of celebrations before and after her official 12th, as she had an out-of-town soccer game on September 14th. We planned her friend party for the weekend after her birthday, but declared her Birthday Eve family fun day. Her pick on activity and food.
She suggested Family Fun Center and we were off to the races. Literally. Go Kart time!
We played a round of mini golf and Shane taught Isaac the fine art of putting.
Buddy got a hole in one! I kid you not.
At least he was humble about it.
Bumper boats were declared the family favorite. Partly because the splash of cold water felt good on a warm day, but also because my husband and children found it hilarious when my boat got stuck on spin-mode in the middle of the pool after the ride was over and every one else had parked their boats and exited the gate. Silly old Mama…
We hit the arcade for awhile for extra kicks and Isaac lived out his dream of being a race car driver.
Lunch was also Juliette’s choice and she of course chose Din Tai Fung for soup dumplings and rice cakes. I felt so lucky to be along for the ride, partly because the food was delicious, but also because she’s the very best company.
We spent her birthday morning up in Bellingham for a soccer game and while the score didn’t end in our team’s favor, at least Juliette was spending her day doing what she loved most.
That evening was a quiet dinner at home, rounded out with a birthday fruit tart and one extra-special gift.
Birthday girl and her mama are going to NEW YORK CITY! (We just got back, actually, but that’s another blog post…)
Juliette’s other gift from us was a ticket to the Haim concert on the following Thursday night. It was a gift to us all, actually, as Shane and I are also huge fans.
The show was incredible – they played all of our faves and we sang ourselves hoarse and danced ourselves silly.
God, these sisters can rock.
This definitely felt like a leveled-up kind of night, hanging with our grown-up girl at a rock concert until 11pm. We had a blast.
Juliette’s friend party was the following weekend, but in ultimate contrast to her brother’s bounce house, she requested a fancy dinner party.
We had great fun planning the menu and setting the table.
It was a lift, pulling this all together, but Juliette helped a bunch and thanked me effusively for each little detail. Gratitude is one of her super powers.
As the kids arrived and got settled in their seats, Isaac brought bottles of fizzy lemonade to the table.
Table games to break the ice (not that it really needed breaking…):
And then hors d’oeuvres were served. By a handsome man in a suit, no less.
Jack asked as he was dropping off Nico if he could do anything to help and then he spent the next hour plating crostinis and making sure the spaghetti was perfectly al dente. We were so grateful for the extra hands…
Hand-shaved parmesan, Mademoiselle?
This might have been his sixth glass of strawberry basil bubbles. My boy knows how to party.
Oldest, dearest buds.
Juliette was lavished with lip glosses and squishmallows galore.
This Survivor t-shirt from aforementioned oldest, dearest bud took the cake.
Or…the macarons, I mean?
It was a beautiful night for a beautiful kid. Juliette Grace, you are in fact grace personified. You are thoughtful and bright and kindhearted and I’m so thankful be your mom and your pal. Happy Twelfth, Boo. It’s going to be a grand year.
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