We've got a teenager in the house!

 

 

Teenager.... -n, a person between the ages of 13 and 19 inclusive

As of March 22, at 2:31 p.m. - that is what we now have in our house. Carleigh turned 13 a few days ago and we definitely found some time to celebrate in our "RahnFamily" style! The countdown had begun many days ago as we started talking about what it meant....a Facebook account, increased Data plan for her phone, possibly a new phone, and her request was ... a "big girl" room :).  So plans were made, and March 22 quickly approached! Her day started going to school and being surprised with her locker being decorated by her friends. This creative endeavor included getting the principal to open her locker after hours for them - so that they could decorate the inside also.  Upon returning from school, she had to get ready for her Hip Hop Dance Recital - Dress rehearsal. That lasted for a few hours, and then....  Celebration #1 and Cake #1: Chocolate cake with Chocolate Mint Chip icing and just the four of us, and dogs! We then went to sleep to wake up early and prepare for day of celebrations!!   Celebration #2 and Cake #2
	My parents and extended family came over for lunch and  we had a small family celebration with cake #2 - Chocolate Chip Cookie cake with purple/white frosting...

Family left, and now on to the big event - friends!  Carleigh invited a few friends to sleepover and help her celebrate. She was told to keep it small and she had a tough time choosing just a few, but the big night finally arrived...

Celebration #3 and Cake #3

An added bonus of this birthday celebration was sharing our culture with Leyre (far left) from Spain, she was visiting Ana (second in from left), and had only visited the U.S. a few times. She had never been to Virginia, and never been to this kind of American celebration. She had a great time, and later on that evening...made the comment, "This is just like in the movies."

 Cake #3 was actually cupcakes.....

 

After cupcakes and fun, Don decided to have some fun outside and brought out our leftover sparklers from summer.  The girls had a blast, and Ana and Leyre had never seen or used them before.

Luckily our WOODEN DECK didn't burn down and we then moved inside.

Upon waking up the next morning, the one event that hadn't happened yet - was an event from a past "Carleigh birthday" that we resurrected. Attacking her with Silly string. The girls had a blast with this - and again... a new experience for Leyre and Ana.

Celebration #3 ended, the girls left and Carleigh and I began the task of finishing her last birthday present...a room redo!  The whole family went in and bought her new furniture, bedding and paint for her birthday present.

The task of turning 2 of her lavender walls into a "mermaid green" color was complete, and the room had been emptied of the furniture that was being replaced.

Here is the empty room, freshly painted waiting for the new furniture to arrive:


This is a 3-d program called photosynth that stitches pictures together to make a giant 3-d panoramic view. Click on the picture and scroll up, down, and around to get the full view.


 Here are the after pictures: Carleigh even color-coordinated her outfit! :)

So...she's 13 now, Spring Break is ending and it is still cold! Back to school to finish out the year, and then summer and more adventures!!! We can't wait!

Stay tuned to see updates on how our school year is finishing, and what we have planned for summer vacation!!