fifteen

Hello and happy Friday…from a wintry Kentucky! We had our first measurable snow of the season…and of course school was crazy yesterday! haha

TGIF for sure!

As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea for this week’s Friday Favorites.

This week’s post is all about the kids’ birthday this week! How are they 15?!

Hayden didn’t feel the need to have a party, but Hadley still wanted to have one with her friends. Literally, the only time in the near future where we had a free afternoon was last Sunday.

Hadley’s friends came to the house for a bit, and then we headed to the bowling alley.

Apparently, the dress code was sweatshirts and black leggings. haha!

They bowled for about an hour and a half, and Trav and I sat in the bar area and watched football. The girls wrapped up their games right as the Chiefs game was starting.

We went back to the house for presents and cake. Hayden was there watching the game.

Hadley “polled” her friends to see if they liked red velvet cake (her fave!), and they all agreed. She also polled them on what activity they should do for her birthday. Kids these days…

The cake was super cute.

…as are these girls.

Listening to them open the gifts, chat, and laugh was the best. They really are great girls and celebrated with Hadley all afternoon.

After that, Hayden requested a burger and fries, so Trav got him that, and they finished watching the game.

Meanwhile, I took the girls for hibachi for dinner. They were so excited. I had told Hadley that I could sit in the other part of the restaurant (the sushi side), if they didn’t want me hanging around. She said they didn’t mind, so I did get to join the crew at the table.

It was a great meal, and then I took them all home.

Tuesday night, per tradition, I put streamers on the kids’ doors. Hayden did tell me that I didn’t have to put the “paper strings” on this door. haha

I told him that I liked the tradition, so he said I could!

Birthday morning, I had baked them some muffins for breakfast. Oh how times have changed. They used to both sit at the counter, eat their muffins, and open a gift or two.

That morning, Hayden had PT at 7am, so he was out the door early. Hadley got up, got ready, we picked up her friend, and we headed to Starbucks before going to school.

That day, was the 9th grade field trip. It was a just a few hours at a college/career Expo at the convention center downtown. Students ride coach buses, and the kids were on my bus. I stayed outside the bus to take attendance, and when I got on the bus, I was shocked that they were sitting in the second and third rows close to me! It was a nice afternoon.

One of my teacher friends spoils them…and she made them brownies. She told them she wished she’d had two pans, but that they’ve been sharing things since day one. haha

After school, I went and picked up their cookie cake…

…and put out their presents.

Once Travis got home, they opened their gifts. I wasn’t sure on a few of their gifts, but apparently Travis and I knocked it out of the park.

Hayden always asks for this college basketball magazine, and I got Hadley a Dr. Pepper ornament. That’s her fave drink.

My mom had these little Funko dolls made. Hadley’s is wearing flip flops and has a volleyball. Hayden’s has on tennis shoes and is holding a video game controller. She also gave them some money!

After presents, we went out to dinner. It was a nice treat on a weeknight!

The Christmas lights were up, and they let me snap a pic of them. They look so old!

Then, we went back to the house for cake.

My brother’s family came over which was really fun!

May all their wishes come true!

It was a great day…even for a school day! I know we still celebrated them big, but it sure is different compared to when they were little.

Favorite Mom Meme:

I got my answered prayer…x 2!

Bonus Fave: Flashback Friday

I don’t know why but the past couple of months whenever I would think about their upcoming birthday, I would think of them being five. These past ten (15!) years sure have gone by quickly.

Truly, this picture…and them holding up “one whole hand,” is etched in my mind forever.