Anna and Jack are 17!!!

Jack and Anna turned 17 on Thursday. It feels crazy for them to be that old. For the first time ever, Jack wanted a birthday party. Well, what he asked for was to go bowling with his friends. However, the bowling alley wouldn't let you reserve a lane without booking a party. He had the party on a Sunday afternoon. They bowled for a couple of hours, ate, then spent a little time in the arcade. Jack had fun and I don't think he regrets his choice.

Anna wanted to go to Disney Springs and the beach. Our weekends are so busy that it can be hard to find time to do things. To make Anna's requests happen, we decided to go to Disney Springs after work/school and let them skip school for the beach. So the celebration took place over the course of their birthday week. Sunday started with Jack's birthday party. The rest of us (except Kara who doesn't like bowling) also bowled. The bowling alley is huge with 80 lanes, so it was easy enough to be there without interfering in his party.

On Monday, Anna, Kara and I went to Disney Springs after school. We browsed all the shops they were interested in and had burgers for dinner at Anna's request. It was a fun night. Jack was at cross-country practice and Luke didn't want to go, so Thomas stayed home with Luke.

Tuesday, Jack had cross country and band practice. Kara had lacrosse, but got rained out. Oddly enough, Luke still had baseball. It was pouring at our house for hours, but no rain 7 miles away at the baseball field So weird! One day, I was walking to the school and I literally passed the line where the rain began (or ended). One step forward--no rain. One step back--rain. Florida weather is not for the faint of heart!

Wednesday Jack had a band concert. None of the other kids wanted to go (there were concerns about how long it might last). Thomas and I went to Culver's for dinner and then the concert. We enjoyed the music. There was one number with a combined band and orchestra that was really great.

Thursday was their actual birthday. I made one of Jack's favorites for dinner, beef stroganoff. Anna and I made her requested cake (pumpkin spice with cinnamon cream cheese frosting--delicious!). We also made some cake pops, just for fun. The kids opened their presents. Jack got two records and a backpack for cross-country. Anna got Legos, a Kendra Scott necklace, and a chair and tower air conditioner for her room (she got more than Jack because she didn't have a party).

Anna got a custom coke with her name on it at the Coca-Cola story in Disney Springs. She enjoyed it on her birthday.

Friday was supposed to be the beach. We were going to try a new one in Jupiter that is supposed to be beautiful. But, the forecast called for thunderstorms all day. It doesn't usually storm in the mornings, so that was unfortunate. We gave Anna the option of going to Cocoa Beach (better forecast), doing something else, or postponing to another day. She decided to do a Disney day. We went to Magic Kingdom and did all her favorites and some rides we usually skip, like the carousel and tea cups. It was a fun day!

We went on the People Mover while Space Mountain was shut down and got to see it with the lights on.

View from Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.

And, that concludes the birthday week! I am so glad that Jack and Anna were born. I always wanted to be a mom. I've probably written this at least one time in the past, but one of my first memories is praying for a baby of my own and then getting scared that God would grant my wish and quickly praying, "never mind". I was probably 4. We write about everyone each year in January, but I can't end this blog without saying a few things that I love about them. 

Anna has a great sense of humor; she can be quick to anger, but is also quick to apologize and admit when she is wrong. She is intuitive, smart, and loving. She has gained a lot of confidence this year and it is amazing to see the young woman she is becoming. 

Jack is super smart and good at all the hard subjects that I try and avoid. He is goal-oriented and willing to work hard for what he wants. He has a strong sense of right and wrong and strives to be a good, moral, human being. He is kind to everyone. I know great things are in store for him!

I am so proud to be their mom!