Happy 18th Birthday Junie!!

It's over. 

8, 690 days after parenthood began, the last 519 days having been shored up by Junie's contribution alone, it's done.

The last of the kids has turned 18. I logged into my medical app and it's only my info. 

Not YaYa's.Not Lu's. Not Smiley's.

And as of today, no Junie's.

The childhoods of Team Slap are just memories now, and nothing more.  I hope, as the youngest enters adulthood, that she recognizes how much effort and sweat we put in to make it memorable for them all. 

My baby in the window. My Lump. My Ginger. My Junie. 18. A grown-up.

Damnit, i can't stop bawling.

Happy Birthday kid. Sto Lot!

Jimmy Carter Turns 100 Today!

 

Today Jimmy Carter became the first US President to become a centenarian, celebrating his 100th birthday - despite spending the last 19 months in hospice. Once again, Carter defied the odds.  

Sto Lot indeed!

Whatever your opinions on his Presidency, whatever your opinion on his politics and his opinions, put it aside. Today is a day to celebrate a life long, and well, lived. 

Happy Birthday Mr. President! 

Junie's Big Birthday Surprise

While Junie was gone at her birthday party, Lulu replaced her twin bed and trundle with a new full sized set. 

Like I said it was LuLu's project. Smiley contributed with some help picking up the mattress, which was donated by YaYa, I played a big role in finagling the box spring up the narrow stairs, and my sister came to help with the setup. Still, 97% LuLu's effort 

                                                                          She loved it!!!

                                                   

Junie's 17th Birthday Party

As her 17th birthday dawned back on August 7th we had Junie read our card and open our gift, a pair of Taylor Swift pajamas. 

And that was about it for her birthday celebration . . . 

Ha. 

I couldn't get off work, but between Lisa and Junie, and two of our cars, a whole bunch of Junie's friends headed up to Green Bay to celebrate her birthday at a Air BnB we rented. Aside from Lisa, no other family member could get out of work for those two days, a fact that dissapointed Junie. I'm not kidding. She's perhaps the only teenager on record who actually WANTED family at her birthday party. 

First tho they stopped at Bay Beach, an amusement park in Green Bay where Junie celebrated a birthday many moons ago. 

Then it was on to the AirBnb, which had room to sleep the whole group with plenty of space to spare, a hot tub, and a view of the lake. It was pretty reasonably priced too, and well worth every penny!

I ordered the cake from a local supermarket well in advance, but when Junie arrived they'd lost the order, so she had to buy one off the shelf, which SUCKS. Lisa then added the custom made edible image topper that I designed and ordered off Amazon. It included her beloved Finn Wolfhard once again, but also the first official use of her monogram!

                                 

I joined in from Milwaukee over a video call to sing happy birthday and do the Polish blessing. 

The next day, after checkout, they returned to Bay Beach, only arriving back in Milwaukee early in the evening. 

(Lisa's friend Jolene joined the party with her grandaughter)

From all accounts, she and her friends had a blast. I'm genuinely sad I couldn't clear my calendar and join them, but I'm super happy she was pleased. 

Sto lot my Junie!