July 4th Baby!

Celebrating Nealy’s 13th!

A Very Happy Time!

Where have the years gone?  I find myself asking this question over and over in my head.  My baby girl is a TEENAGER!  I just can’t wrap my head around it, just yet.  I mean, I see that she’s grown in so many ways. However, I still see her as a little girl sometimes.  (wiping a tear away).  Nealy McKay is a tremendous girl indeed.  I mean, she is totally fun and super funny with a ‘sometimes’ teen attitude.  She is certainly taking on some independence and I am proud to say, (although a bit more ‘bold’ and assertive than I), she is a little lady with manners and social grace.  Wow, makes a mommy proud.  I can’t explain well enough, (I will try) how wonderful it is to have a daughter.  She literally is my best friend.  She knows me like only a daughter can.  I share my insecurities, secret thoughts, and random opinions etc with her and I know she doesn’t judge me (AT ALL).   She listens and will simply let me know what she thinks.  I LOVE that about her.  She keeps me young and young at heart.  Her opinion matters to me.  She has proven to be a SUCH an AMAZING judge of character too.  I once said, “children have a sixth sense, they “see” people’s “true colors” and intentions long before many adults do.”  So needless to say, I love having her as my sidekick.  I love her and admire her so much!

Okay, so Nealy having a 4th of July birthday is super neat.  I think, anyway.  These last couple of years, she hasn’t really wanted a “party.”  She is cool like that.  She doesn’t really even voice what she wants.  I just do a little something to celebrate HER!  Here are a few little details I set out.

I baked red velvet cupcakes and even hand made the wrappers out of cute corresponding scrap paper.  I painted the letters (in her name) to add some personalization to the table.   Super simple, yet festive!  We had family over and Nealy had one of her best friend’s over too!  We served grilled burgers, hot dogs and all the “cookout fixins”.  Here’s just a peek of Nealy’s special celebration.  She smiled all night and that makes my heart happy.

 

Kaitland and Nealy (these two are two peas in a pod)

Nealy, you bring the sunshine indoors!  Happy 13th Birthday sweetie.  We are so proud of you.  XOXOXOX

Our very own “Sparkler”

A photo shoot we decided on a whim to do.  Okay, it was actually my idea but, what a great way to capture her on her thirteenth birthday.  We slept in and the sun was pretty much overhead, blah.  We had to be creative.  Fortunately, a kind lady offered to hold the shade for me on the “flag wall” backdrop photos.  They came out nice!  With such a pretty girl ;), you can’t go wrong!