Breck is 13!!!

Brecklyn our beautiful, kind, fun oldest has become a teenager! As with most things in life she anticipated this day with much excitement, and tension. It was distressing that the rest of the world insisted on continuing with it's regular drudgery of school, homework, and mutual. She did get out of her music practice and jobs! She had a quick breakfast burrito on the run, woke up to her door decorated , and got to go out to lunch with her Dad. The little girls and I picked her up after school for her first ever salon haircut. She was nervous, glancing at me furtively every time the stylist asked her questions as if she had suddenly lost her brain. She was so worried about coming out of there looking like some of the extreme models you see on the hair magazines lying around, so her instructions to the hairdresser were VERY conservative. What she got was a very minor cut. I think it looks beautiful and clean and thick, but I know she was hoping for something that someone might actually notice. Maybe next time she'll be a little more daring:) An interesting fact; her hair was so tangled and so difficult to comb through every time the part was changed, that it took an eternity to have the cut done. (Don't ask what the two little girls were doing during this time)

We decided to celebrate her birthday Saturday night (so we could give proper time and focus on the act of celebrating). We had a new Italian (what else for Breck?) dish, chicken parmesan with peas, pineapple and mile high strawberry pie for her cake. Afterward, we opened presents and playing a rollicking game of Quelf (one of her presents)

Craig and I also took Breck on a date last weekend. We went downtown to the art walk where local artists had their works displayed in various businesses. I loved going with Breck and seeing how much more she sees than I do now as her eye is becoming more trained. She especially loves observing the way that light is used in the different works.

As seen above, her main presents were the arrival of two little web footed pals (Basil and I think it is Parmesan) Breck has wanted a duck for a long time. She was thrilled and her ducks seem equally so. They love to cuddle up on her hair, in her shirt and have even had a nap with her. She very tenderly cares for them, and I do my best to keep them alive during the day.

Breck's new haircut-difficult to tell, but cleaned up and subtely layered. She is becoming quite a knockout!

Brecklyn is one of my dearest friends. It seems her bright, observant, happy spirit has been with me almost longer that I've been without it. She finds beauty everywhere. She brightens our home with her perpetual thoughtfulness and sensitivity, her quick wit, her brilliant inquisitive mind, and her love for all (and I really mean all) things creative. She finds immense joy in nurturing her little seedlings, she gives a mean cockapoo haircut, is becoming a very skilled portrait artist, and is the best big sister ever.
I love you Breck!