BAYLEE BECOMES A TEENAGER

One-sixth of the grandchild population that Debra and I have helped to create are now teenagers.  Baylee is the second grandchild to join this elite group, which began last December when Daisy reached the landmark age of thirteen.

 

We were able to join about a dozen family and friends at Baylee's house this afternoon to celebrate the occasion.  

 

This is what a new teenager looks like just before an onslaught of cards and gifts are heaped upon her.

Alexia was honored with the prestigious job of gift-deliverer.

Baylee opens cards and gifts as her guests watch.

Four sisters.

Baylee anticipates the candle-lighting-and-blowing-out part of the party while Rylie's left index finger verifies that there are, in fact, thirteen candles on the cake.

Tom lights the candles.

Candle number twelve gets torched using a backhand technique that prevents first-degree burns caused from candles number one through eleven.

Baylee prepares to exhale with force.

Baylee empties her lungs.

The lungs prevail.

I bought my first digital camera in June 2002, and one of the first pictures I ever took with that camera was of Baylee who, at the time, had not yet celebrated even one birthday.