Golden Sweet 16

Danielle has reached a milestone birthday this weekend, and it is a little extra special, if you happen to appreciate the small things such as a golden birthday: the year your age matches the date - turning 16 on the 16th! YES! 

Similar to Naomi, her birthday didn't seem to be a huge deal to Danielle, other than reaching the age of driving (more on that soon). Danielle opted to have a lowkey hangout with her closest friends Kayla and Emory. Bring on the food: 54th Street, now known as Five Four. 🤷  

Danielle got a slew of all the things she loves, including multiple books -- and it was presented in a very creative gift. Kids this age are cool like that. 

After a late night playing games and watching Ten Things I Hate about You and Twilight, Danielle was eager to have a chill afternoon the next day watching Gilmore Girls and eating a McDonald's Big Mac (no onions).

Ari joined the leisure day in the late afternoon, for some regular Saturday afternoon activities: walking Trixie, running errands eating Wing Stop and watching My Little Pony. 🐴

Danielle woke up on her birthday to the usual surprise (amazing what the balloon fairy accomplishes even when out of town!)

And she found another breakfast surprise in the fridge. (Can you tell food is a big player in our world...)

Danielle's birthday dinner of choice was the never-ending pasta bowl at Olive Garden! WITH salad and breadsticks. YUM.

It is exciting to see Danielle at this stage in life -- self-sufficient, confident, athletic, an incredible student, a funny friend and a kind human being. No, she's not perfect - she is a bit absent-minded at times, doesn't always think/plan ahead, gets easily sucked into watching videos on her phone and leaves her clean clothes on the floor for days, but her laid-back yet optimistic attitude is refreshing and she is a joy to be around! Wishing Danielle an amazing sixteen birthday, and a fun but safe start to a new phase of independence! Oh, what will the future hold...