Little "A" is now EIGHTEEN.

Boy, have I been nostalgic lately over Adren. I'm remembering his wispy straight blond hair that would stick straight up unless I wet it down. His brown legs and body from the sun and wearing nothing but a diaper and a Superman cape as he'd run all over the yard from bike to sandbox. As he started talking and learning new words, I loved his soft voice. I would watched him over the years in his little "hunch" whether he'd be in the sandbox, hunched over his creations, or in his room, hunched over his army men for hours, so content. I remember telling him, "Christmas is coming!" He ran to the front window, "Where???"

He's been both so fun and sweet to raise and teach as well as exasperating, which is to be expected, I suppose. He likes things calm, like his voice. His music is calm, is pace is calm and confident. He is thoughtful and smart and funny. He has plenty of friends, but prefers to stay home so they come to him. Because of this, I know so many of his friends. I can't believe I get to know him, and love him and call him my own. He's a real special guy, and is now 18!

We all got up early with him on his birthday to watch him open presents. And when I say "we all got up early" I mean I got up with the rest of the house which is not like me, because I am now the only one in the house that does not get up by 7am now. Everyone is gone and the house is quiet by 7:30am. It's a little perk in my life I feel was hard-earned over these last 18 years. One of his gifts is some Nike's that he designed himself and kept in his cart to hopefully buy soon. When he told me about them I scrambled and bought them and wrapped them. I also noticed some items he had in his cart at Shein, and did the same. He's getting so hard to shop for, I take all the help I can get!

Mellow Adren...

He came home from school with a friend or two, like usual. I had prepared a fancy, more "grown up" snack because now he's a mature adult, you know. He told me more friends would be stopping by to hang out, play guitars and video games. 

Soon enough Grandma and Grandpa Geertsen stopped by, so nice! I know Adren feels the love today~ and in his spiffy birthday outfit!

Never in a million years would I think to pick out this random Teddy Bear T-shirt. 

Pal Pedro posted this on his story to wish his friend a Happy Birthday and I think it is so cute! They were like this yesterday.

That night after Jon got home and finally kicking friends out, we all headed for a birthday feast~ Sushi! All of our favorite.

Back at home, we sang and had some cheesecake and all told Adren what we love most about him. 

His birthday fell on a Wednesday, and he asked if it would be ok if a few friends came by on Friday for a "real" party. I was happy to supply some food and treats, but this isn't the first time the kids have said they are having a "few" friends over and it ends up being a bit more. I was trying to think of something easy I could serve throughout the night that wouldn't get cold and rubbery (lookin' at you, Little Caesar's) and remembered Abby saying she served sub sandwiches at Grayson's farewell. Because I had no idea the number we were dealing with, I decided to make my own. They turned out great, a big hit! I could easily whip up another or two when they looked picked over. I made so many! 

As I set up food, friend after friend arrived. They arrived with gaming consoles, controllers, TV's, monitors, cords... Yes, it is that kind of party. Each friend arrived more pumped than the last, "This is EPIC!" I was clearing table tops, any surface a screen could sit on. These kids knew how to set up and connect all these screens so that those in the front room were connected and playing with those in the kitchen and on our TV screen. I was baffled and impressed. And got out of there. Later I went downstairs to refill ice water, clean up the food area, and whip up another sandwich or two- then skedaddle back up to my room. As more people arrived, it sounds like they moved to online group party games. From what I could hear, it was the greatest night of their lives.

I was so thrilled to see Brett Lloyd hanging out when I went down. Sweet guy. Also- has anyone else noticed that when you take a pic of teens they all do the "Thumbs Up" sign? 

The kids were real great and totally cleaned everything up afterward. 

I've known a lot of these kids since elementary school and it has been so sweet to watch them grow up as well. Fun group!
If I have any image of Adren in the future, I imagine him strolling through a beautiful mountain path while he strums his guitar, content as can be. We sure love our Adren at 18, I look forward to cheering him on as he finishes his senior year and starts to make plans for life after High School. He's going to do just fine.