Dancing Queen Birthday!

 Victoria has been very excited about her 17th birthday. One of the reasons being so that she could play Dancing Queen by Abba. She is our dancing queen. Always dancing, always moving. She hasn't changed much in that regard in her life, nor has she changed in her birthday expectations. 

She really loves celebrating her birthday and wants to make the very most of it. We did just that!

On Friday, there was no school, so she opted to have her party that day from 3-6. She has a new main group of friends she hangs out with now. They are her workout friends at the high school. Since she'll be doing track in the spring (somehow we'll fit that into the busy dance schedule then), she gets to work out with the off-season athletes at the gym after school. She goes on the days she doesn't have dance and she loves it! The workout is great, plus the camaraderie of a team. Her freshman year, we didn't know how busy she'd be with her classes in high school and with dance. Plus, that was when she joined the competition team for dance as well, so we didn't want her to do any other activities until we knew how busy she'd be. Then covid happened... After that, dance wasn't quite the same and last year's school year was not the greatest. So, having the chance to be on a team at the school, and she just found out that she made the competition team at dance again, brings her so much joy!

These new friends, and some older friends that have meshed with the new friends, came for the party and then they all went to the football game (Salem's Homecoming) afterward. The party was just hanging out, playing games like Twister, 3 Truths and a Lie, and I've Never, chatting, and eating tacos. They also played Donuts on a String. I served brownies for dessert so I could pre-cut them and have her blow out a candle on the one brownie. You know, covid safe!

Getting ready for the party in our new sunroom (it's almost done, just need to put the flooring in!)

Playing 3 Truths and a Lie on the trampoline.

The party people!

Dinner!

Donut on a string!

Brownies on our new deck!

Saturday was pretty much just getting ready for the Homecoming Dance, which I posted about last week. She had a fantastic time, but the cold she had been fighting off all week hit her hard that night and she didn't feel well when she returned or on Sunday. Grandma Pat was here, so that was a bonus "friend" for her to have around to talk to and to be part of the celebrations. Victoria loves all people, young and old. She always loves when people come to visit or when we visit others and she gets to be a part of their lives. 

Kai and Victoria, almost ready to go!

Victoria and Max now

Max and Victoria exactly 11 years ago!

We celebrated BYU with Grandma, even though we lost that game...

On Sunday, we had her requested Puerto Rican dinner that Jason prepared. Rice and gandules, pork, tostones, and veggies. She had to stay home from church because of the amount of coughing she was doing, so the day was restful and we even got to watch a religious family movie I Can Only Imagine (which was super good!).

She felt good enough to go to seminary and school on Monday, her birthday. So she ate her locs and bagels for breakfast and I sent her off with a yummy lunch and lots of cough drops. Since most of the school has the cold that she has, and we know it's not covid, I felt fine about her going. 

Mondays are busy with cross country for Austin, which I volunteer for on Mondays, and soccer for both boys. Instead of having everyone miss things for a family dinner, Victoria and I had planned for her to meet a few of her old besties in Downtown Plymouth for dinner at a delicious little diner called Simply Fresh. It's Mediterranean food! She was happy to hang out with her friends there, one of her favorite places to be! When we were done with soccer, she was back from her dinner so we could all have cake together. Lemon poppyseed bundt cake!

She loved her gifts and her time with friends and family. There's never a dull moment with Victoria around! I can't believe she's 17! 

Birthday gifts after school!

She blew out all 17 in one breath- she is full of hot air!!