Hadley's Sweet 16th Birthday
Hadley's sweet 16th birthday was talked about for months leading up to the celebration day. We talked about how her friends have had big bashes and we talked about what she might want to do for her birthday and it was clear that she definitely didn't want a big dance / boy/girl party. She had fun at the two events she had been to this year, but that just wasn't what she was looking for to celebrate her sweet 16th birthday. She wanted an intimate event with her closest friends. It was Hadley, Kianna, Dakota, Aarti and Naysa. So, for weeks we talked about ideas of what that might look like. And then... the idea of an afternoon tea party / evening dinner party seemed right up her alley.
She knew she wanted to dress up for her birthday but it ended up being a double dress up. The girls came in their smart casual / semi formal attire, but there was also a dress up part of the day that would be super fun as well.
I found a cute little boutique shop in Stouffville that offered a tea room where we could bring our own goodies. So Hadley and I shopped at many different bakeries to find just the right treats. We also found a fun recipe to make cucumber sandwiches which were a huge hit! We found fun sweet 16 plates and serviettes. We even had photo props.
The shop offered a craft that was super cute. Each girl made a tea cup and saucer flower arrangement that they could take home with real flowers. This was followed by opening presents and then I think Hadley and her drama artsy friends had a fantastic time dressing up with fun dresses, boa's, hats, necklaces and so much more. The girls gathered around the tea table in their dress up gowns and the shop called Candlelight and Memories served hot chocolate complete with colourful marshmallows or flavoured tea, whatever the guests wanted. Hadley and her friends talked and laughed as they caught up on the last day of the March break. They were just so happy to be together. They enjoyed ice-cream cake and the desserts and when this portion of the party was done, we walked next door to the Earl of Whitchurch where they could order a meal and talk more.
I found cute little sweet 16 candy grab bags that each girl could take home with them. I think the day was a success and exactly what Hadley was hoping for.
Things about Hadley, she still likes to get up at 6am and have time to herself before school. This suits the cats just fine as she is the one that feeds them. She goes to bed usually around 10pm. She loves music and has been taking singing lessons this year. She does volunteer work for the library teen advisory council. (TAC). This is where they decide what the teens might like the library to offer, she also helps with their podcasts. She still loves editing but mostly does this in class and for the library now and has less time to do this out of responsibilies. Her grades are fantastic and she works hard, but she can procrastinate with the best of them if she doesn't want to do something. She is the same height as last year, 5'3". Same as me with the same size shoes as me, size 8. She still wears women's small clothing and her favourite food is steak which she almost always orders when we are at a restaurant. Which she had at Chuck's Roadhouse when we went out for dinner on her actual birthday as a family. She sometimes mixes it up with a good ceasar salad which I would say is her second favourite. :)
This year the family gatherings were small. Her grandpa Verkley came down the weekend before her birthday as he was passing through to go see a friend. Then there will be two other gatherings with my dad and my siblings and her cousins, and one with Brian's mom, his sister and more cousins.
I can't believe how fast 16 years went by. I can't wait to see what's ahead.
Hadley,
Happy sweet sixteenth birthday! I am so honoured to be your mom and to be able to watch you grow. May you always remember how strong, smart, amazing and beautiful you are, inside and out. You are loved and truly one of a kind. I wish you a year of joy, love and many amazing moments that turn into beautiful memories. Wish big for the year ahead. Remember, big things just need to be broken down into bite size pieces, each day is a stepping stone for the next big thing. I love you more than can be measured. 💕