Cate the Great Turns 14!

And like that, we have a fourteen year old in the house! Cate was so much fun to celebrate this year. I think she felt bummed her birthday landed smack in the middle of a four day weekend, and she wouldn’t see any of her friends. I was so grateful for friends who reached out and wished her a happy birthday. The night before, John took the kids boating while Cate and I stayed home and watched Gilmore Girls while I peeled and cut up peaches to freeze. She is simply a delight to hang out with.

Her meals:

Breakfast: Blueberry Crumble and Orange Julius

Lunch: In n Out Cheeseburger

Dinner: Homemade Mac and Cheese, Potstickers, and Cesar Salad

Cake: Better than Anything Cake

Cate claims In n Out is “her” place. It is her number one choice given the chance, and often on the way home from softball tournaments and track invitationals we will stop there as a treat. 

Cate has learned the art of “M.A.S.H.” (A randomized fortune telling game where you figure out who some will marry, where they will live, their salary, etc.) She is often putting her brothers through the ringer playing with her, they are her eager participants.

Activities: sleeping in, karaoke, running a mile with her dad, driving stick in her dad’s old truck. Basically dad came in for the win today. They had a great time together.

For her birthday her grandma Brassell took her shopping for school clothes, Grandma and Grandpa Partridge got her a dress she’s been wanting, and a back massager. Her friend Colton brought her the Defense Against Dark Arts Lego set. She also got a pitching net to practice for fast pitch season, self-care products, the Divination lego book set, and a fast pitch ball for practice pitches.

Where would our family be without Cate? She is the leader, protector, comedian, advocate, helper, trail-blazer, listener, mediator, librarian, basketball teammate, peacemaker, builder and so many other things. I love our drives home from XC practice where I get to hear about her day. She is a comfort and a friend to me, and gives sound advice. I love how hard she works and appreciate the growth she reaps from her efforts. She has a gift of confidence, and she carries herself with grace. She is a delight to laugh with and a pleasure to dissect deep topics with. Simply put: what a blessing to have daughter who is also a best friend. 

We love you Cate!!!