Anna is 14!

Anna is now 14 years old!  She had a fun birthday weekend and will continue her celebrations for another week, despite working in final exams between them.  She was happy that her birthday was on a Saturday this year, so she was able to have friends over on her actual birthday.  Before that, we opened family presents on Friday afternoon before Bob left for Australia (I was not allowed to take pictures). 

We girls had a Chinese takeout dinner (her new favorite is fried dumplings), and she and I tackled a DIY balloon arch that evening.  It was easy to assemble, but not easy to set up!

Saturday, her friends Lyla and Annie came over in the early afternoon and they hit the pool.  The water wasn't very warm, but they still had fun with floats and playing games there for a few hours.  

Then it was back to our house to "get ready" for dinner, which was at a Mexican place nearby.  The friends made sure that the restaurant wished her a happy birthday, too!  

After dinner, we went back to our house for cake and games.  

Lyla slept over, and after breakfast on Sunday, we had a shopping excursion.  Anna said she had lots of fun, even though a couple of her friends couldn't be there.

Next weekend, we will go to Concord for birthday celebration Part 2!

It's been a good year for Anna.  She has really seemed to grow up and become more responsible.  She has a steady stream of pet-sitting and babysitting jobs, and she is doing a great job of keeping up with all of them.  She is motivated by money!  Her friend circle changed this year, and she now seems to be in a good place with some really fun, caring friends.  She says that she is not sad at all about leaving the school that she's been at for the past 9 years.  I know that she's very excited for high school!  She ventured out of her comfort zone with playing varsity volleyball and soccer, and did a great job at both.  Anna is a smart, funny, caring, wonderful person to be around.  We love her so much and could not be more proud of her!