ALMOST a teenager....

Yes, it's true, we almost have a teenager. This is odd, because according to the facebook quiz I took I myself am only 19...

Amanda turned 12 years old today. We celebrated by having to flee our house twice for three different families to come in and see if they wanted to maybe buy it. Amanda did not agree that it would be a fantastic birthday present for someone to offer to buy our house on her birthday. There was nothing at all in it for her (unless they threw in some Wii or Nintendo games, which we confirmed would be highly unlikely). Amanda was quite annoyed that these crazy people would spoil her festivities. Said festivities basically included counting her birthday money and playing Nintendo in the 'bat cave' (aka - her room). But, she did get lunch at Chili's out of the deal (and since we almost never go out to eat, it was a really treat!) Going to Home Depot for pine straw** after Chili's, however, was not as much fun.

She was quite happy with all her presents and cards, but even more happy that she will have her own sleepover next Friday (again, with only 3 girls). We really learned our lesson last year. Todd is planning to flee the sleepover, using the excuse that he will go "camping" with our kids and Drew and his kids in North Carolina. Maybe I'll try and trade places...

**Note: Pine straw is literally that - pine straw. It's the needles that fall off of pine trees that someone gathers and bundles into bales like straw and sells to home fix it stores for people to buy. This is very big in the south for landscapes instead of mulch. so don't laugh until you shovel mulch in 100 degree heat and 100% humidity and then watch one torrential downpour wash it all away.