Happiest of birthdays to Fay on May 7! It is so exciting that she is finally 13 and a true teenager, because she’s been living the life of a teenager this whole school year. She is in Young Womens, goes to middle school, got braces in February, started wearing contacts, and “hangs out” with friends rather than “playing.” All of those are totally teenage things to be doing, so it’s nice that she finally actually has the “teen” in her age. 🙂

Fay these days is more fun than ever! She still rocks her role as oldest sister–leading the kids in fun adventures and helping me with the little ones when stuff gets crazy. She still loves animals, art, and reading. And she is still a beautiful, sweet, loving girl. PLUS, she is really figuring out who she wants to be. She’s developing her own fashion preferences along with elective class preferences–which are totally unique to her. She has lots of fun new hobbies like tumbling and crocheting. And she’s so excited about the future ahead! We adore her!

Fay has made lots of wonderful new friends since being in middle school! I really wanted to meet them all, so earlier this year we had a fun Valentine’s party with them.

They are seriously all such delightful girls! It is a GIANT blessing to me as a mom to know that Fay is surrounded by friends who help her be her best self and who make her life so fun and joyful!

To prepare for the party, Fay made homemade cupcakes which the girls all decorated.

Fay has always loved cooking; but this year she’s gotten even more excited about it since she got to do some cooking in school. She has made dinner for the family a few times and it is always delicious!

Fay’s friend, Emma, has gotten her really excited about crocheting. She has known how to crochet for a couple of years, but Emma has shown her the joy of amigurumi! Fay has been making so many cute little creations and even shares them with friends and family! For her birthday she requested her OWN crocheting supplies so she didn’t have to keep borrowing hooks and yarn.

Also for her birthday, Fay requested a bow and arrow! Honestly, that gift request was a surprise to me, but I feel like it really fits with our adventure-loving Fay. She is a total beginner to archery; but she is making progress and having fun!

Fay has taken art both semesters of 7th grade and keeps loving it! This past week the school had an art show and we got to go see her beautiful work on display with the other art students’ work. This blue-green succulent she did in oil pastels got second place prize in the art show! We’re so proud of her!

One very teenager type thing Fay did before she actually graced the realm of 13 was back in January. She decided that she REALLY wanted to be trendy and have a Stanley cup and a cross-body bag. Aunt Mary–who is any niece’s dream come true–had both of those and told Fay that she would be willing to let Fay earn them by detailing her car. Fay worked hard for over an hour cleaning, vacuuming, and even washing the outside of Mary’s car (in JANUARY!!!!) Here she is, overjoyed with the spoils of her hard work and fortuitously advantageous family connections!

And I just wanted to remember one more time how terrific a helper Fay was for Bianca’s birthday party! She was as helpful as an adult, but as fun as another kid. The perfect combination!

And honestly, that’s kind of just what she is: the perfect combination of a kid and a grown up. We’re so glad she’s ours!