Making Her 14th Wish

The balloon fairy struck again! 

It's a sign that Danielle has completed her 14th journey around the sun! She's a bit tired.

Naomi knew the ultimate gift for Danielle: limited edition Taylor Swift merch from the recent movie, which was sold out when Danielle attended. How did big sis acquire this?!

Danielle had the common teen birthday list: food gift cards, please. $20 goes a long way at Taco Bell.

While she exhibits the typical Alpha Generation teenage trait of being consumed by hours of youTube, and the timeless "embarrassed by [one of] my parents" teen trait, Danielle shines her unique self to those around her! She regularly slips in humor she has learned from Jeff, with a spin of her own. She is a respectful, helpful, responsible kid, doing what she's gotta do to stay ahead. She almost always has music playing and spends her free time reading (uh, when she's not on youTube). She is interesting to converse with, when you can get her talking -- just gotta find a subject she cares about. Her gifts this year reflect all of her current preferences!

(Note for posterity: The deck of cards was not a gift, but it does reflect a current trend that has taken over the family free time at the dining room table these days: solitaire. Not pictured: 3 other decks of cards one for each of us, and a towering stack of Taco Bell napkins...but that's another post for a another day.) 

And thanks to Mimi and Pa, Danielle is now a part of the family Converse club!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DJS!