16th Birthday + Party

 Someone got a car for her birthday - 2013 Mazda CX5 - named Magnolia

Here's your annual update - 

Things you love:

1. Live Music - 

Well you got a job - pretty much go to any show you want to!

2. Thrifting-
Like most girls your age- you love thrifting, hitting up the Goodwill bins, getting a deal!

3. Into the Woods -

You've become obsessed- probably due to your Dad and have both cast albums and the written play. 

 

2025 Goals

College Ready - let's start to think about colleges we like and want to apply to!

For your paty - you had a few friends over - yall outside, in the porch, and then inside. We stay away, but I heard lots of laughs. 

Love you- 

Mom

15th Birthday

Here's your annual update - 

Things you love:

1. Live Music - 

You'll go see just about anyone live and love it. You've won free tickets from Grimey's twice, one that was tickets to a heavy metal band - you still went with Dad. I took you and friends to watch a show at Ascend - but on the lawn for free. Now I just need to get you job; so can afford to go to all of these concerts!

2. Shopping - 
It was a goal last year - you've turned a corner and have asked for new clothes and to go shopping. You've developed a fun and cute style - and I love it!

3. Family fun-

It was another goal - and I've noticed a big difference with you having fun with us, being nice to your siblings, and even helping out around the house. You and Carter are actually friends - and you've offered him great advice on middle school. You can tell June looks up to you, and it been nice to see that relationship growing as well.  

2024 Goals

Driving-

You got your permit a few weeks after your birthday, and we've practiced a bit. You have a long way to go, but you'll get there. 

Love you- 

Mom

15th Birthday Party

                                               

You invited 4 friends - Abbott, Glancey, Julia, and Olivia - You guys just hung inside and on the porch. 

Menu: Pasta bar by Mom

Decorations: You had a pinterest board

Cake: Made by Nora - Oliva's sister

Gifts: We got you the Noah Kahan album, a BoyGenius shirt, and a Lana Del Rey necklace

14th Birthday Party

Low key - ish party. It ended up being a beautiful afternoon. You guys had fun trying all the different hang out spots - porch, backyard, balcony and playroom.  :)

Dress/shoes: H&M
Cake: Olivia's sister made it!
Food & Decorations: Mom, pizza, salad, and popcorn
Attendees: Olivia, "big" Olivia, Glancey, Maggie and Lucie Jane

The night before - we tried rolled ice cream and saw Into the Woods with Maggie at Humme-Fogg. It was great!

14th Birthday

 

Here's your annual update - 

Things you love:

1. Music - 

For your birthday, you created a diverse list of desired vinyl records, everything from Ben Folds to Taylor Swift to Wilco. Clearly you're Dad has a major influence on your music tastes! And you got Taylor Swift tickets - concert is in May, and you've been planning for months!

2. School leadership-
As class representative, you ended up planning and leading all the SGA events at school!

3. New this year-  Theater Tech - You helped with MLK fall musical and are helping with your first Theater Bug show. 

2023 Goals
1. Have fun with Mom-

We get into it - a lot more than I would like, but have had fun seeing touring brodway shows lately. Hoping we can fight less and have more fun!

2. Learn to shop-

You are a saver. I love a saver, but sometimes you need clothes and things. You are through puberty and officially adult sized - despite your objection, we wear the same size everything. Let's share! all of my stuff isn't horrible. 

Ha! These goals crack me up. My goals are the same -

We do have fun seeing theater together, but you still hate shopping. 

Love you- 

Mom

13th Birthday Party

You spent months planning - and I think we pulled it off. 

Murder Mystery party - vampire themed

Dress/shoes: Shein
Stylist: Lucie Jane
cake: Red Velvet by Publix
Food & Decorations: Mom
Game Host: Dad
Attendees: Glancy, Millie, Gabby, Cali, Lucie Janeood by Mom

13th Birthday

 

Here's your annual update - 

Things you love:

1. TV/Movies-

You, like Dad, are a re-watcher You've re-watched Ted Lasso and Good Place and for your birthday,you got a list must see movies that you are looking forward to watching.

2. Music - 

You got a record player for Xmas, and I think you enjoy record shopping- which a few times with Dad. You were gift several Taylor Swift albums, and a John Mulaney album. You are still on the hunt for 1989. 

3. Piano-
You've been playing for 8 years, and it really shows. You and your teacher, Emmy, are in a good groove - and the pieces that you are playing are longer and more difficult.  You're playing 2 octaves scales and inversions. This is farther than I even got. We've noticed that you practice for longer and even spend time playing chords for familiar pop music by choice!

4. New this year- You joined the Nashville in Harmony- Youth Choir- Major/Minors. You really like the group of pepole and are very excited about summer trip to DC and NYC.

2021 Goals -  

1. Empathy -

I think this has gotten better or at least you've vocally expressed positive feelings towards and about others. Progress!  

2. School club -

So you join tried out and joined the track team. This was super surpising, but we are proud of your preservernce, being named team captain, and your team commitment. 

2022 Goal
1. Have fun with Mom-

We get into it - a lot more than I would like, but have had fun seeing touring brodway shows lately. Hoping we can fight less and have more fun!

2. Learn to shop-

You are a saver. I love a saver, but sometimes you need clothes and things. You are through puberty and officially adult sized - despite your objection, we wear the same size everything. Let's share! all of my stuff isnt horrible. 

Love you- 

Mom

12th Birthday Party

Per your request - Zoe, Ainsley, and Lucie Jane + Dad went to the Escape Room. Then you guys just came back to the house to hang out. :) Suer easy and drama free birtyhday - yay!

12th Birthday

 

Here's your annual update - 

Things you love:

1. TV-

You and Dad are having lots of fun with series and he's even starting introducing to more mature content - like Fargo and Old School. You love it.

2. Music - 

Love AJR and still love musical albums - like from Waitress

3. New this year - Independence/Alone time -
Even though the pandemic has been hard on everyone for different reasons - I think you've actually enjoyed your alone time and doing things independently. On the good side - I think you have high self esteem and confidence - on the not great side - you dont love family and even friends messing with your routine, your room, etc. So maybe we need to work on - agility!

2020 Goals -  

1. Chores- Helping when asked, the first time. :)

- You are doing your own laundry now, and you are pretty good at cleaning your room and making your bed!

2. Responsibility - 
- Yes you've made a chart and check it off everyday with everything you need to before school.  

3. Food - 
Over time it's gotten a little worse. I would love for your diet to expand - and the complaints of food not tasting good because it has "flavor or seasoning" to stop. 

- Eh, it's still okay. You love sweets.

2021 Goal
1. Empathy - We really want to do empathy coaching to help you better develop this skill with your family. 

2. School club - Hopefully 7th grade will provide an opportunity to be more involved at school and I hope you choose to be!

Love you- 

Mom

11th Birthday

 

Here's your annual update - 

Things you love:

1. TV-

You get the love of a good binge from me, but your love of all things TV from your Dad. You claimed that you had watched all content on Netflix. Yikes! Your favorite thing to watch is The Good Place with your Dad.

2. Music - 

Most weekends are spent with us listening to your curated playlist on Amazon music. With TV and music, your ability to learn lyrics is amazing (at least to me). You and Dad can have complete conversations with just quot\es back and forth. It's annoying, but sweet. 

3. Plays, Musicals - Yes - still love this. Last thing we saw was Hamilton in Nashville!

4. New this year - Math -
You were on the Head Math team last year even though you couldn't compete, and then were placed in 6th grade math at the beginning of the semester. I love that you are leaning into your talents!

Goals -  We are trying to instill a better, helping attitude - so I'm leaving a few - 

1. Chores- Helping when asked, the first time. :)

2. Responsibility - 
You are still forgetful with daily hygiene - like brushing your teeth. I would love to see some improvement. 

3. Food - 
Over time it's gotten a little worse. I would love for your diet to expand - and the complaints of food not tasting good because it has "flavor or seasoning" to stop. 

Age 11 - will certainly bring some challenges for all of us, but hoping for the best and so glad you have both myself and Daddy to rely on. 

Love you- 

Mommy

11th Birthday Party

For your birthday party - you invited - Daphne, Ainsley, Zoe, and Lucie Jane. We went to the Cool Springs mall for a mall scavenger hunt, and then walked around downtown Franklin. We had dessert at a frozen yogurt place, opened gifts, and the Zoe and Lucie spent the night.

It was first of many birthdays where I was barely involved. :( But I think you all had fun!

10th Birthday

10! I can't believe you are 10! 

Per usual, you are excited for some independence, but also cautious. You'll probably take the city bus this fall in 5th grade, and asked if if we would come with you the first few times. Of course! Then days later you started asking if you were allowed to go different places, like Starbucks, on your way to or from school. Oh dear. 

Last week were the first results of the middle school lottery. We were super excited and thankful that you got into Head Middle Magnet that will feed into MLK High. They are both great schools and I think the math and science focused MLK will be perfect for you. It was actually your first choice when you learned they had no SSA. Unfortunately on Monday, you found out most of your LDC friends got into other schools. You were disappointed at first, but by Tuesday you were doing a lot better. The transition to middle school will be hard for everyone, no matter the school. We are all going to do our best to stay close with your LDC friends and make sure the transition goes as well as possible. I've been really proud of your ability to stay positive, sway others when there is negative school talk, or even leave the conversation. :)

Here's your annual update - 

Things you love:

1. Interior Design- We love watching interior design shows, and had so much fun on the Lockeland Springs home tour. You made lots of notes. You also had a great time designing your room, and just asked yesterday if you could redesign it when you are 15.

2. Music - Your Dad has totally influenced your music taste, and you love listening to the playlist that you made on Amazon. It includes everything from Taylor Swift, bits from Brian Regan, the BeeGees, the Hamilton soundtrack, The Turtles, the Waitress soundtrack, and Postmodern Jukebox.

3. Plays, Musicals - Yes - still love this. You're goal in piano this year was to learn something from a musical. You had to teach your teacher all the songs. She had no idea! You asked to listen to the Waitress soundtrack in the car during your birthday and your friends didn't know any of the music; so you asked to switch it to Hamilton. :) Next on our list to see Dear Evan Hansen.

4. New this year - Words Games- You got a phone for Xmas and you are loving crossword games or word games in general. You also can't stop yourself and on a recent test you were asked to list all all the correct answers from the multiple choice options. The answer was A, B, and D. But then you had to list all possible variations of this -  BAD, DAB, DBA, BDA, ADB. Your teacher wrote "Ha! :)" next to it.

5. Reading - I'm adding this back on. We finally read the first Harry Potter book and we're currently reading through the Kate diCamillo books. You also loved a book you found at the TN Festival of Books. You even heard the author speak and got her autograph. :) Generally you bring 2-3 books to school everyday.

Accomplished Goals:

1. Chores- We're not consistent on asking, but in general you are doing better at putting away your clothes, unloading the dishwasher, cleaning the kids bathroom, and vacuuming. 

2. Responsibility - I've was pleasantly surprised, but during Read-a-thon week, you were so focused that you spent the second we got home - reading, doing your homework, and piano all on your own. I even had to bring your dinner to you. 

3. Independence-  Still testing things out- but we've left you at home for like 10-15 min at a time. 

Goals for next year:

Branch out and embrace you! I'm hoping middle school brings you the opportunity to try some new things, make new/different friends, and really focus on what you are interested in - what brings you joy! 

Love you- 

Mommy

10th Birthday Party

Happy 10th Birthday Maevy!

We headed to the Escape Room to play a game about finishing assignments to get to the 5th grade kickball game time. We barely made it out on time with only 10 seconds left! 3 friends came - Bette, Tate, and Ainsley. (Unfortunately Daphne was sick, but we brought her a slice of cake the next day.) (June looks like she is getting booked at the police station.)

You selected an oreo chocolate cake from Sweet 16th and when you came with to pick it up, she even gave you a free cupcake! You had a lot of chocolate on Saturday!

After the Escape room, we just brought everyone back to the house. Ya'll just hung out, played a few games, and listened to music. Ya'll did great with June and Carter around. They both like hanging with the big kids.

Glad you had a good birthday!

9th Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Maevy!

You're 9! We kept thing low key.. because you're 9 and we just moved. Here's your plan-
- Bring scooters

- Silly string fight- Make slime- Five Points Pizza for dinner- Puppy dog cupcakes

We just did 4-8p and did everything on the list. Invitees were: Ainsley, Alice, Daphne, Tate, and Stella

You guys played the whole time. The scooters were a big hit and you even played hide and seek for a while. I officially hate slime and silly string. :) Your siblings weren't too annoying and your friends were very sweet to them.

I hope you had a great birthday! Love you!

9th Birthday

Here's your annual update - 

Things you love:

1. TV & Movies - Still love. You would watch tv all day if we let you. You cry at animals dying and close your eyes or say gross if a boy and a girl kiss.

2. Singing & Dancing - You still love Taylor Swift and have definitely moved into teeny bopper music.

3. Plays, Musicals - Yes - still love this. This year I'm going with you to see the off-broadway version of Wicked and you and Daddy want to see Waitress. Of course, we see all NCT and Theater Bug shows.

4. New this year -  Games - you love playing Monopoly Jr and for your birthday you got the Tiny Hands Challenge Game and Exploding Kittens card game from your friends. It's usually hard playing with your brother because we nicknamed you the "Rule nazi". You are relentless when it comes to rules!

5. New this year - Dogs - You are currently obsessed with dogs, especially small dogs, much to our chagrin. You love going to Ms. Emily's so you can see Pearl, the dachshund. Your calendar is of puppies and kittens. 

Accomplished Goals:

1. Big Sister helper - This has gotten better and June is more fun. You've taken to playing with her occasionally!

Goals for next year:

1. Chores- I'm keeping this one because we all need to get better.

2. Responsibility - again- we all need to work on this. 

3. Independence-  We're testing stuff out, but you've doing pretty good with school work and we've tried bike riding in our new neighborhood.

Love you- 

Mommy

8 Year Check Up

Weight: 59 (51%)
Height: 53 1/4 (84%)
HR: 111
BP: 116/77
BMI: 14.63

I think it's funny that currently you, Carter and June's weight are 60,40,20 ish.

8th Birthday

Maevy-girl -

Here's your annual update - 

Things you love:

1. TV & Movies - Yes - still love this. We've stopped letting you all watch Youtube without supervision - but you are currently binge watching any tween-related Nickelodeon or Disney show like - Good Luck Charlie, Bunk'd, Jessie, or Liv & Maddie.

2. Singing & Dancing - Yes - still love this. I think really- anything KidzBop related you are into.

3. Plays, Musicals - Yes - still love this. Since last year - you and Daddy are completely obsessed with Hamilton and we're seeing the musical in couple weeks. Your brother has recently gotten us all into the music from Matilda. You still see every NCT show and every age-appropriate Theater Bug show. Just last weekend we checked out JP2's version of Shrek.

4. Piano-  You've made great strides this year in piano. I've even been practicing some of the same pieces you are learning.

5. New this year - Markers & Art - You and your friends are really into markers and these abstract art books. You bought yourself a set of markers with some birthday money and some friends got you more markers and and a coloring book. 

6. New this year - Computer Games/Typing - This last year, you've gotten more into online games that you find on your computer. You'll google "online games for a 7 year old" which I thought was smart. You've also been practicing typing and usually choose the typing-related homework. 

Accomplished Goals:

1. Riding a bike - so proud that you mastered this. Now we just need to fix up bike - it needs a new tire!

2. Read-a-thon- This year seemed easier and you easily got your gold medal. Even better -your class won and gets to have the yogurt parfait party.

3. Enrichment Clubs - We're both so happy and proud that you've been able to participate in both Book Club and a Math Club in Ms. Kessler's class. You've done a great job of staying on task and making sure you've completed the extra work needed each week. 

Goals for next year:

1. Chores - I think we're going to work on getting you to help with some chores.

2. Responsibility - This is getting better - but we also need to work on taking responsibility for your actions and being responsible with your stuff. 

3. Big Sister helper - I don't expect much - but your attention span when it comes to watching your little sister could improve. 

Thanks for being such a sweet and thoughtful young lady. I think you are good friend and well liked by both parents and kids. I can't wait to see what the next year brings. :)

Love you- 

Mommy

8th Birthday Party!

Maevy-

Your birthday party has been in the works for a long time now. And how fun - this year we got to have your party on your actual birthday!

You were dead-set on a sleep-over and we decided on a Broadway theme. You got to invite 5 friends - Millie, Margot, Alice, Ainsley, and Daphne. As is usually the case- we ended up with a beautiful day. My favorite part of the party was ya'll decorating your shirts and everyone singing Hamilton together. It was really cute.

Here was our plan -
1. Decorate and autograph t-shirts
2. Photo booth
3. Runway - dance on sidewalk
4. Karaoke
5. Dinner - Hamburgers & Fries
6. Pin the ponytail on Lin-Manuel
7. Cookie cake (Hamilton cake-topper)
8. Into the Woods movie + popcorn
9. Breakfast - Pancakes & Bacon

All set- up

 Big thank to Mommy's friend who helped with the photo booth stuff.

 Cookie cake, iced in chocolcate

 Daddy made you a several sign slide and had it on when people arrived -

Luckily Mommy had a friend help her with the tshirts - they turned out great!

 Photo-booth time -

 Pin the ponytail on Lin-Manuel-

 

You have a sweet group of friends and everyone got along well. Daddy was on nighttime duty and said there was only one giggle fest at 1am. And the only major tears were shed by you - due to some confusion about which version of Into the Woods you thought we were going to watch. 

The 2nd best part was dropping everyone by 8am..and actually making it church on time. :)

Happy Birthday Maevy!

Love you,

Mom