I have a teenager...

Well Dabriah, this post is a month overdue.
I know your birthday was kind of all over the place this year.

I used to get so irritated with every person who ever said, "Oh, I'm sorry her birthday's on Christmas." But it is hard to have your birthday on Christmas. There's so much excitement surrounding the day for everyone that it's hard to get that feeling that you are personally individually special for the day. Although of course, you are.

We got up and had Christmas morning cinnamon rolls, which I know you love, then we lounged around the house, played with new toys, and snacked on Christmas Eve leftovers all day.

That evening we had homemade sour cream lemon pie, which is your favorite, and you made your birthday wish on those 13 candles. I cannot believe I officially have a teenager...

To do something fun with you, we went to the late-night showing of Sherlock Holmes part 2. The movie was really good, the crowds were not bad at all, and we got some good one-on-one time. 

In January we took you out for your (belated) birthday dinner to Fleur de Sel. You thought the restaurant was really neat, and tried some new food, amongst which were duck confit, shrimp and goat cheese salad, creme brulee, flourless chocolate cake, you had your first Shirley Temple (and loved it), and even decided to brave snails - a first for me too.
You looked like you were going to gag when you ate yours, and I don't think you had more than one. I had a hard time mentally convincing myself that snails are not slugs... Fun to try something new, but they aren't something that beckons my taste buds to come back for more.

Over dinner, we were able to discuss some big plans in the works, and I hope that though you were not thrilled with the conversation at the time, that it will all wrap up as a good memory since those plans have proved to your liking after all (so far).

(The adorable dress you got specifically for your birthday dinner)

Love you so much Bri. I am so lucky and grateful to have you as my daughter. As you enjoy these teenage years, keep being you. Don't let anyone else shape your ideas or identity. Keep thinking for yourself, and keep pushing toward your goals. Everything about you is perfect just the way you are, and as you learn and grow I know you will only continue to become more lovely in every way.

 Happy 13th Birthday Bri-Bears.