A (Belated) Birthday Girl

On December 1, 2016, Sarah celebrated her 12th birthday. Sarah awoke to a bevy of birthday presents and cards. She really loved everything she got, but I think her favorite gifts were the Chipotle gift card she got and also a card written to her in both uncontracted and contracted braille.

 She chose to spend the day in a new town we have not visited yet called Seaside, OR. It was an overcast day, but we had fun none-the-less. Bob, Elizabeth, and I accompanied Sarah to the ocean. (The boys had to stay home as we were having van trouble and couldn't accommodate them in Bob's car.)

Besides the ocean, Sarah also spent some time at an outlet mall in Seaside. Having a little cash in her pocket made her extra reluctant to part with it and she ended up only selecting a pair of pants that she purchased.

After shopping and the ocean we headed home, but not before stopping at Sarah's favorite hot chocolate shop to get a hot chocolate to go. When we got home we ordered Chipotle for dinner (Sarah did not have to use her gift card) and sang 'Happy Birthday' to Sarah.

It was a simple day, but a good day.

I cannot believe Sarah is 12.

Every year since Sarah was 7 or 8 Bob has made Sarah (and Elizabeth) a birthday shirt. This year I had the idea of writing Sarah's birthday shirt in braille. I thought it would better suit Sarah even if no one else could read it. Bob was sweet enough to take the extra time to copy the message I wrote out in braille since he is not yet able to really read it yet. He did a great job as you can see. 

Birthday excitement. (At least on one daughter's face.)

Reading Dad's Tshirt. 

Bob chose to write Sarah his first letter to her in braille and give it to her on her birthday. As you can tell she really liked reading it. 

Elizabeth, being one of the sweetest souls I know, obviously knew that Sarah would not be able to "read" or see a regular birthday card, so she made Sarah a birthday card that she could feel. This is supposed to be a picture of Sarah. 

Elizabeth also wanted to write Sarah a message in braille, so with my help, she wrote Sarah a note and taped it to the inside of her card. It was really so sweet. 

Swings on the beach? How cool!

Some type of seaweed...It was super long and kinda gross. 

Me and my girls.

The birthday girl. 

Climbing driftwood. 

Gross seaweed again.

Every birthday we sing and dance to the Beatles song Birthday (at least that is what I think it is called) in honor the birthday boy/girl. Here is Bobby singing and dancing with Sarah.