Some days

Honestly, some days I'd like to trade in
this beautiful daughter of mine.  

I had to beg, bribe and threaten (no presents) before she

finally consented to go birthday shopping.  

 I mean, seriously, who can refuse to go shopping when somebody 

else wants to spend money and buy you pretty things?

Hannah, that's who.

Of course, once I had her out and about 

we had such a nice time and really enjoyed having 

Grandma Jo come along and treat us to lunch.

To celebrate her fourteen years, after a little cajoling,
our little introvert consented to inviting friends over for lunch.

This was the first time she's had anybody
besides her bestie, Maria, over in years. YEARS!

I'll admit, as parents, we were relieved to discover that,
yes, she does have more than one friend.

They ate lunch, giggled over their
"brown paper packages tied up in string,"
played parlor games and got excessively messy
enjoying the chocolate fountain.

Later that night both sets of Grandparents came over 

to open presents and blow out candles on the cake!

Next year I vow to take more pictures of the family gathering, of the grandparents,
presents, and dancing.  Oh, the dancing! Hyrum led her all over the kitchen floor,
twirling and swaying, oh, how it made my heart swell!

I get torn, I so enjoy living in the moment
that so often I forget to take pictures, but then I always
have regrets at the lack of documentation.

Because did it really happen, if nobody remembers?

Maybe next year I'll figure out how to do both...