It is so fun to see your kids mature and celebrate fundamental milestones throughout the years. This time, it's Alex who turned SIXTEEN! Man, was he excited to turn sixteen!
It's always fun to plan Alex's birthday celebrations as he likes really big get togethers with friends, but we still celebrate him first by spending time as a family. This year, as Alex was doing his internship with the Republican Party of North Carolina, we figured it would be the perfect time to make him a GOP birthday cake-hahaha. Alex is avoiding all dairy we opted for an angel food cake kind of cake with awesome non-dairy frosting. To be honest, he doesn't look quite like himself in this picture but we'll take what we got.
It looks like Alex pretty much only received shoes for his birthday.
He is a very grateful kid actually and does receive his gifts graciously always. We love that about him.
A couple of days later, we had a grand party for Alex at the pool. I always have to let our neighbors know about Alex's parties a week or so in advance, so that they plan on avoiding the pool for a couple of hours on the day of his party. I say "Alex will have a few teenage friends over to swim" but in reality, he ends up having a dozen friends over!
Just kidding...seventeen friends...
We usually serve an awesome lunch with BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and veggies.
After a few games and swimming fun and dancing, Alex opened all of his gifts.
Wait, gotta show this awesome picture! I love how these kids are just having a fantastic time and glad that Alex has soooo many different friends! It was hard to choose JUST seventeen!
Oh yes, and the cake. Pretty much, the usual...hahaha Costco American Flag cake. I think that our Costco bakers think it's the weirdest cake they make at the end of July writing "Happy 16th birthday, Alex".
And just like that, Alex turned 16! We are so grateful for Alex and for everything that he brings to our family. He makes us THINK! A lot. And teaches us how to feel uncomfortable with some of the ideas we are used to. He is discovering his own ways and ideologies, framing his character and figuring out how to talk to people with opposing views. We have been agreeing to disagree a lot lately but that's okay. He has a lot on his mind and a lot to say, he knows a lot and is ready to learn a lot. We are so happy to see how passionate he is about politics and how our country works (or doesn't work). For him, diluting all of his strong opinions with the human factor and imperfections is the next challenge. I can brag about him all day because he is our kid and this is for his posterity to read-hahaha....Alex is an amazing kid with a bottomless potential. He found out he is ranked 12 in his grade (that's like over 600 people) according to his GPA. He loves rowing and is trying hard to get faster and stronger. We appreciate how well rounded he is and how approachable he is with people. At the same time, he is still only 16 and has a lot to learn in this complicated world of a myriad of views and opinions.
We love you, Alex! And wishing you the best year yet!
Favorite sport: Rowing
Favorite sport to watch: Football
Favorite Book: Breaking the News by Alex Marlow
Favorite movie: Batman: The Dark Knight
Favorite Color: Purple
Hobbies: rowing, singing, piano, basketball
When I grow up, I am going to be president
No comments:
Post a Comment