Labor Day Weekend

Ahhhh, the Smile Appears!
Courtney, Friends & Family Enjoying Courtney's Almost Adulthood!
The Smiley Birthday Girl!


We love long weekends! Labor Day provided such a weekend. We enjoyed the extra time off of work and school and normal activities. Not that we did anything great or exciting, but just being able to have another day to do whatever we want is enough of a celebration. Courtney's birthday is this week. She will turn 18! Unbelieveable! It does not seem like too long ago that I was 18 and a senior in high school ready to take on the world. Now it is my daughter's turn.

Courtney would not commit to doing anything for her birthday, what her 18th birthday and she does not want to party?! Well, I could not have any of that so I planned a "mini celebration." I invited her two best friends and took our family and the Zunkowski family to the Desert Star Playhouse to watch "Scary Poppins," melo-drama at its best. Her friends told her that they were going to a movie with her sister Caitlin and Katlyn Zunkowski. They picked her up and then picked up Katlyn, well, we were already at the Zunkowski home with cake and balloons in hand. We gave her the big "surprise" announcement and she was not smiling so big! We celebrated anyway. We sang a beautiful rendition of "Happy Birthday" and made her blow out ALL those candles and open a few gifts. She got a little more smiley. Apparently, she is not too keen on surprises, especially when she thought she got to spend the night with her friends and her family ended up tagging along as well.

We finally left for our destination (which no one would tell her about) and arrived at the playhouse. She was still grumpy, at least she wanted us to think she was, but her eyes were showing a little sparkle. Nonetheless, the actors came out and announced her 18th birthday and made her stand so everyone could see! This was embarrassing but fun! Scary Poppins was silly and full of laughs. She ended up having a great time and giggled through most of the play. Overall, it was a great time and she admitted it was lots of fun, she just hates being surprised. I think she just hates not knowing the plan (or at least not being in charge of the plans). We love her so much and are so proud of the young woman she has become. She is beautiful, nurturing, fun, open, a leader, in charge, sweet to her siblings, responsible, witty, strong, full of character and good company. The list could go on and on.

We also spent some time shopping and took the two little ones to see the new "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" movie. The long weekend was great and we are so glad to be back in school and back to work!