Birthday Balloons I (finally)

I'm so behind in so many things.

I was so proud of the fact that we managed to write birthday balloon messages for everyone in our family before Rachel went out to Utah. Last year we didn't write birthday balloons until August! But at least I posted about them immediately after. It's been weeks since we finished writing our birthday balloons for the first half of our birthdays and they've just been curling on the wall.

Phoebe asked if I wouldn't mind taking them down so we could start "fresh" on her birthday. I guess she didn't want stale birthday decorations. 

So I took them down. Finally.

We meant to take a picture of Zoë, Benjamin, me, and Rachel in front of the tree with our birthday balloons. But we forgot to, so I don't have one. 

Here's what people said though:

Zoë! I'm so excited that you are 10! You are such a charming young woman! I'm so proud of how helpful and thoughtful and funny you're becoming! Keep being awesome this year! Love, Dad

Zeal
Optimistic
Ebullient (archaic term)

Watching you grow over this past year has been [groovy?] I love you so much! —Ben

Zoë! How are you already in the double digits? you've grown so much, it's crazy. It has been a joy to watch you grow more passionate about music, especially organ. You are so good at cleaning, and are very quick-witted and funny. I love you so much!!! Love, Miriam

(It should be noted that this was written before they started sharing a room; opinions on cleanliness have changed since then)

amaZing 10 years

Ollmost colage (8 yrs to go)

Elegant 

(That's from Alexander)

Dear Zoë,

I can't believe you're already 10 (clearly, because I forgot how old you were while writing this—embarrassing)! You're so smart, funny, and kind, and a talented musician, too. You're getting very tall and more responsible, and I'm excited to watch you keep growing up! Love, Rachel.

Zoë: Ten years ago, on this very fine day, we brought home a squalling and charming bébé. She giggled delightfully, her screams were so shrill (Aunt Josie thought she looked like Winston Churchill). To not miss a moment, the girl never slept (her mom was so tired—the tears that she wept!), the girl learned a lot through astute observation and at ten years old deserves standing ovation! She swims like a champion, sings like a pro, makes plenty of friendships wherever she goes. She likes baking cookies and solving math problems (when she's not being "Zogre"—the grumpy green goblin). She's growing up supremely good, she often does just what she should, I'd love her more if only I could...but my hear's so full it would overflow. 

I love you, Zoë! Welcome to the double digits! You're awesome! Happy birthday! Love, Mom

And now for Benjamin's balloons:

Benjamin! You're a teenager now! That's so crazy! You're becoming a great and responsible charming young man! You've grown so much this past year and gotten so much better at swimming and LEGO and Minecraft and woodworking and everything! I'm excited to see what you do this year! Keep being awesome! Love, Dad

Bye for room
Eggs for your meals
taleNted

(That acrostic is from Alexander again. He was excited for Benjamin to move out of his bedroom).

Dear Ben, Officially a teenager! That's insane. You're turning into a very good Charming Young Man. You're a good influence on your friends, you're a great swimmer and coach (roach?), and I'm impressed with your new woodworking skills. I love playing games and watching movies with you, and I'll miss you! Love, Rachel

Ben! You're a teenager??! You are so talented in so many ways, with woodworking, swimming, LEGO. So many ways I can't keep track! You are becoming more of a CYM every day. I love you so much! Happy (late) birthday! Love, Miriam

Benjamin—forever jammin' in his swimming jammers, which he wears beneath his Sunday clothes and wears beneath his jammies... His height along the door jamb is getting rather high, he likes to eat his jam with toast (of all the Bens, I love his most). He helps us out of lots of jams—like overflowing compost bins (I am so very glad he's him). So give three cheers for swimming Ben (and I'll be sure to tell you when he finally removes his swimming jammers). I love you, buddy! Love, Mom

He spent a lot of time in his jammers this summer. He's been better at changing back into clothes after swimming now that we're into the schoolyear.

Zoë's message to Benjamin is a bit of a mess. She should consider writing an actual message for him.

BEMILEBJKZOP is 13 2 kool 4 me

I don't know what most of that means. But now it's my turn:

aMazing mother

On a rock (in age)

My goodness—40!

That's from Alexander. I don't know what a rock has to do with my birthday, but there you have it.

Dear Mom, Happy birthday! I love you and I'm always so impressed by (with?) you and everything you do. You're going to school and working and homeschooling the kids, and you still find time to play games and have fun with us. You're such a good mom and I promise that I won't throw my phone or set it on fire when you try to Facetime me. Love, Rachel

Magnificent

Oceans of love

Motivating

You are my teacher, principal, and most importantly my mother, my birthing lady, my female parent. You constantly push for me to be better. I may not like it at the time but after I do. P.S. poison ivy I love you. —Ben

Mom, Happy late birthday! I love you so much! You've always been such an inspiration for me, and have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. I love how much you enjoy learning and how you taught us all so well. I love you! Love, Miriam

BEST MOM. 40! EVER! You are loving, caring, kind, amazing, and magnificent. GOAT [and she drew a picture of a goat]. Love, Zoë

Happy birthday! You've had an incredible first 40 years! Four continents, college, grad school, more grad school, six kids, a whole published book, homeschooled, swimming kids! Here's to another 40 and more! I love you! love, me [Andrew]

And for Rachel:

Rachel-the-adult: Wow! The last 18 years have been a wild ride—thanks for taking it with me, for your patience as I learned how to be a mother. You are incredibly smart and talented. You are kind and brave. I appreciate the wonderful person you are today (and all the yesterdays) and look forward to all your tomorrows. Thank you for the ways you've pushed me to be better, for driving me to campus for a full year, for making good decisions, for being a fabulous older sister. I can hear Miriam over here sniffling—she's so distraught to see you go (or she's just sick). tl;dr You are incredible and you're going to do so awesome out at BYU! I love you! Love, Mom

Rachel!!! You're an adult now!!! That's BONKERS!!! I'm so proud of the person you've become! You're so responsible and reliable and motivated and curious. You're a pleasure to have in class at home and so much fun to be with. BYU is lucky to have you and you're going to have a blast out there! Happy birthday! Love, Dad

Here's another stellar acrostic courtesy of Alexander:

18 Bro! You...

Rock
Alluring to people

College-bound

Hehe u're 18

Ew college
Leg of life: college

Rachel... Hey, so who told you that moving away is allowed? I am really going to miss you. I love watching movies with you, and all the books you've told me to read, all the things you bake for everyone. I love you so much! Love, Miriam.

And an acrostic from Zoë:

Radiant
A nerd
Calm (not really)

(no) Hugs 
Effective
Loving

Benjamin made a rather creepy portrait of Rachel, using his words to create her face. 

It says:

Rachel, you are an amazing baker. I like that you always have a witty comeback when someone insults you you insult them right back and you always want to have peace and quiet. You are going to college soon and will not have young people to yell at.

Her ears say: marvelous [illegible] and young woman

Her mouth says: I love you so much like a devil

Her nose says: Taylor Swift

Her eyes say: BYU bound sister

So, overall I'd say some of these birthday balloons were lackluster. Sometimes it's hard to know whether to work to keep a tradition going or whether to put a pin in it. Is it my fault my children are so sarcastic? Probably. But I also wish they'd figure out that sometimes it's okay to be sincere as well...