Another one bites the dust … hey hey and another one gone and another one down Another one bites the dust….
I know you’re all dying to see pictures of April’s 18th birthday. We celebrated Friday night with our traditional dinner and plate breaking. One less mouth to feed - but not really. I thought there might be tears but there weren’t. April got a little misty but that’s about it.
I started out the morning by making April that bento that she’s been begging me for the last few days. Giving in to begging is probably the wrong way to start out her 18th year. Adulthood means that asking for stuff doesn’t always result in getting it. But what the hey - if it gets her to stop begging I’m all for it.
After the kids got off to school, I spent the day decorating cakes - Look at all these cakes!
Of course one of the cakes was for April’s birthday.
The other was for my friend Donna’s wedding reception Saturday night. We were pretty pleased with how well it turned out. They got married on the beach in the Bahamas so the theme for the reception was beach/sea. The shells are chocolates made with a candy mold (some white, some brown, some mixed) and then some of them were brushed with pearl and copper dust. The cake is a pound cake and the frosting is buttercream. The “sand” is crumbled up Pecan Sandies. At the reception additional “sand” and shells were placed around the base at the corners.
After Steve and the kids got home for the evening, we had April’s “last meal” and then took her outside for the traditional plate breaking. Jon commented several times that he loves this ritual. I do too. I think it is the perfect way to symbolize the transition from childhood to adulthood.
April and Jon’s band teacher was none too pleased that both of them had to miss the football game (and half-time show) Friday night. He actually asked April why we couldn’t celebrate her birthday on a different night. I don’t think he gets the importance of this day.
There are lots of birthdays that are special… Your 13th birthday when you enter your teen years. The day you turn 16 and can drive (if your parents let you). Many people look at the 21st birthday as the Big One because now you can drink! But to me the really big birthday is number 18. The day you become an adult. That moment is huge and can’t just be celebrated on some other day when it’s more convenient.
After the breaking, we went back inside for cake, ice cream and bits of wisdom. Some of the wisdom cards April got were absolutely hilarious and had us all laughing. Others were more thought-provoking and insightful. She loved them all - thanks to everyone who sent one.
April - my daughter, my near-perfect child - is an adult now. Responsible for herself. She can sign contracts and get into big trouble with credit cards. Vote and make an impact on the political landscape of the country. Marry without our consent. She can gamble and buy ciggarettes (I hope not!). She can make decisions without considering our advice. Soon she will graduate and go out on her own to make her way in the world. As frightening as that is, it is also exciting. I can’t wait to see what she makes of her life.
