Charley's 10th birthday...AKA Tie-Dye Ten...AKA Double Digits...was anticipated by her for months (just like all the other years), with the expectation given by us that things had to be more low key for a change. Her 9th birthday party was enormous, we have a new baby, and most of our 2021 resources (time and money) have been used up by Charley. Low key isn't something that comes naturally to me, but we had a last minute family party after her final show including a Moe's taco bar and cupcakes. Craig called on my way home with Charley to ask what to do with the ice, and I think I totally shocked him when I said put it in the sink! haha. I really did make an effort to scale back!
Charley's one birthday request was to eat at the Melting Pot with a few friends. Unfortunately, those plans blew up...probably too soon and possibly inappropriate to say, but that is exactly what happened when some psycho bombed downtown Nashville, the home of our Melting Pot. The next closest Melting Pot is in Knoxville, so I made a reservation and booked a hotel room for Charley and her friends for the day after her birthday since it was Spring Break. Nothing says "Happy Birthday" quite like a call from the school nurse letting you know you've been closely exposed to COVID, which led to Charley's favorite present of the year...a negative COVID test!
Charley picked Emmy, Kate and Harper to celebrate with her, and they had the best time. Our trip to Knoxville was filled with giggles, selfies and a game that I had never heard of that required sharing mobile hotspots. After two hours of playing, I was still confused and can only compare it to a digital version of capture the flag or maybe hide and go seek? Essentially, it was the first indication that I am ancient! We stayed at the Embassy Suites, and I'm not sure who was more grateful for separate rooms. The bedroom door shut the minute we walked in, and they pretty much only came out for my fancy snack tray.
The Knoxville Melting Pot wasn't as cute as the one in Nashville, but it still had charm. Four out of the five of us voted fon-do, but Kate was a fon-don't. I told them the story about the time Amma and I took Uncle Justin and he said, "some people fon-do and some people fon-don't...I'm a fon-don't!" They thought that was hilarious! Harper has tree nut allergies, so we were very careful to read labels and make sure she didn't eat anything she shouldn't, even though her mom trained me on the EPI pen beforehand. The girls kept talking about how crazy it would be if I had to spring into action if Harper ate something she shouldn't...little do they know, I've seen enough episodes of Grey's Anatomy that I was certain I could handle it. Thankfully, we didn't have any issues.
The girls had so much fun in the hotel that I didn't think they would ever want to leave. They snacked, swam, snacked, played with balloons, snacked, did hair and make up, snacked, opened presents and snacked some more. I sort of thought my tray was overkill for four girls, but that was not the case!
One thing is for certain, my sweet girl is growing up before my very eyes. I sort of wish I could go back to birthday parties where all I worried about was her playing with all of the guests. The iPods/iPhones, wedge sandals, mascara and hair without a hair bow or a headband were just a few signs that we are entering a new phase in life. My prayer is that we can navigate this new territory without killing each other, that I can gradually start to let go of the control, that she will let me guide her through what will surely be some trying years, and that she will understand my reasoning for not wanting her to grow up too quickly.
Happy 10th Birthday to our Charley Bear!
