Sweet Fifteen

My husband is from El Salvador, and in the latino culture, the 15th birthday is the one that is really celebrated.  It is usually celebrated with a huge party that rivals a wedding.  So, this being Elizabeth's 15th birthday, Elizabeth asked if she was going to have one of these big parties.

We compromised.

Our usual birthday festivities consist of a cake and a present or two, and that's pretty much it.  But this year, since it is her 15th, and since she has been working so hard, Jimmy and I decided to go all out and actually throw a party of sorts for her.

It was a blast!

She was allowed to invite 3 guests, so Fifth Child Annie was there, as were Maggie and Frances.  

The shindig started at 5:30 at our house with pizza, then we piled into the truck and headed out to Commonwealth Ave for a pedicure at Sugar Scrub.  I definitely recommend this place!  It wasn't cheap, but they treated us like queens!  Maggie's mom and dad met us there, and although Tommy didn't get a pedicure, I got the pleasure of getting a chair next to Christina  (yes, we are Christina and Christina.  On more than one occasion we have been asked if we are joking when we introduce ourselves to people when we are together!)  It was so relaxing, and the results were so fun!

Then, it was off to Old Town for some Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

Then it was down to the docks to wait for the water taxi to take us to National Harbor.  The girls waited very patiently...

Then we were finally on the taxi!  One of our friends from church works for the boat tour company that runs the taxi, so he got us passes which made it all the more fun.

Once in National Harbor, we had to stop in the Gaylord hotel and play a card game or two,

but then it was out into the chilly weather to see the sights.

The Awakening is neat to see, but both Christina and I agree that it had a much better placement and design when it was on Haynes Point.  It's not put in the ground right anymore.  Or maybe it was the beach chairs around it in the sand that detracted....I don't know, but it just wasn't as impressive here.

The Peeps store was neat, but it was closed and so we couldn't get in and anyway, it said there was a storewide sale that didn't include the candy, so what's the point if you can't get cheap peeps?

Then there was just a bunch of running around and random pictures, but it was fun and a good way to spend the time before the taxi came to take us back.

By the time we got home, everyone was pooped, and went to sleep directly, but fun was had by all, and I guess that's what makes for a happy birthday!