Happy 15th, Rowan!

 Rowan turned 15 which is absolutely crazy! We stretched his birthday out for a week with lots of gifts and celebrations! 

 

 

We squeezed in a quick celebration with Grammy, Grampy and the O'Connor family before we headed to the airport after Family Weekend. 

Rowan opened his card and cash but one of his gifts (computer mouse) had to wait until he got his big gift at home.

Thanks for the cash O'Connors! He also enjoyed his cousin FaceTime when we were back home.

On July 27th, Rowan woke up to a pancake breakfast made by Coco! 

Rowan enjoyed a birthday FaceTime with Grandma and opened a new Melin hat. Thanks Grandma!

 

Row's gifts from us started out with a shirt, socks and AirPods but we had one more big surprise planned... although it wouldn't arrive for another week. 

Pizza dinner and WipeOut on TV

We did an escape room as a family.

We ESCAPED! 

Birthday dinner.

In Florida, you can receive your learners permit at age 15. Row took a four hour drug/alcohol safety course, passed a written driving exam, filled out a bunch of forms and became the official owner of a driving permit. He was thrilled and while this new chapter in parenting is slightly terrifying, I have no doubt that's he's going to be a great driver. 

Rowan has been asking for a laptop for years and the answer has always been NO. We've been saying no for so long that he didn't even ask for it this year! He was beyond excited. 

Thank you Linda for the card and check! 

Rowan Christian:

Happy 15th Birthday to our Row Bear (I get in more trouble for saying that these days). You had a growth spurt this year and shot up to about 5' 8''. You wear a size 10.5 shoe and can share shoes with Dad! You are simple and easy going. You don't need anything too fancy. You continue to be gifted in math and science, you have an amazing memory, you seem to be a natural driver (based on your first few experiences behind the wheel), you are Cruz's best friend and Cora looks up to you more than anyone. You are willing to listen to and apply advice, you take initiate, you are introverted, you love Jesus, you are a night owl, you still give me great hugs and you love to be with your family. You are truly a gift to me, Rowan. I am so honored to be your mom and though its cliche, I truly cannot believe you are fifteen years old. 

July

 Summer has just flown by!! I am NOT ready for it to be over yet here we are wrapping up July! 

4th of July:

We went to Roger's Uncle Craig and his wife Lisa's house for the 4th! They live right on the water and we had a beautiful view of the fireworks. 

Tremaine Nationals: 

We headed to Orlando for dance nationals this month! Cora (and I) spent a week watching countless dances, competing three times, taking fifteen hours of conventions and making so many memories with friends. 

Ready for the first morning of convention classes! 

Ready to perform her solo! 

Pep talk from Ms. Geena before going on stage. 

The brothers were there to cheer their Sis on! 

Daddy was too. 

Cora's solo went on pretty early but some of her sweet teammates showed up to support her. 

As did her fabulous teachers! 

Some of the most fun memories of Nationals are just hanging out with friends. 

We'll just ignore the fact that she looks so grown up! 

Last Tremaine convention in the Junior room! As she'll be 11 this fall, she'll move to teen! 

Linc Squad 2023. 

All dressed ups ro the gala! She was so excited about her outfit. 

The boys were only at Tremaine for a few days before they went home with Roger but they got to spent the majority of their time at Sea World (we have annual passes) and Universal Studios (they had a leftover day from earlier in the summer). This was this first time getting dropped off alone at a huge theme park but they did great and had the best time together. 

Basketball Camp: 

Baseball Tournament #2: 

It was BLAZING (ha) hot. Over 94 degrees and hot sun. Somehow, these boys played and worked. So proud of them. Also, I am not welcome anywhere near the dugout with my camera so this is all I got. 

Family Weekend:

After a little bit of a crazy couple months for my grandma after suffering a fall, we got to celebrate her 96th birthday with our entire extended family! All 27 of us had a great time eating, visiting and touring GeeGee's new assisted living apartment. Family time is such a blessing! 

Cruz Belated Birthday $20:

Just like on Rowan's 13th birthday, Uncle Nate gave Cruz a $20 bill to hold on to. If he can manage to keep track of it until his 18th birthday, Uncle Nate will give him $100. Such a fun Uncle. 

Green Family Visit: 

Cora's TN bestie Claire and her mom and sister Carson were in Florida for dance so it was the perfect opportunity for us to join them at Universal Studios for a day and then bring them back to Sarasota with us! We had the best time eating, swimming, and theme parking. Cora and Claire discovered that they had many of the same clothes without even realizing it so they had fun twinning every day. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a friendship like theirs.