Eighteen

We celebrated Sarh's birthday the weekend before her actual birthday with family. She wanted to play some games together. Games throughout the day included Pounce, "Pass The Beat", and Hot Seat. Sarah and Popee were partners for the Pounce game. They won!

Later that evening we went to eat at a new (to us) place, WASABI HINKAKU. The food was delicious! The service was great and friendly. And, the atmosphere was fun. When they found out we were celebrating Sarah's birthday, they played some fun birthday music, brought out a dessert for her and a bubble gun, and let us borrow some funny hats.

After our meal we posed for a group picture in front of their picture wall.

Back at home, later that night, we ate pie from Spears Restaurant and Pie Shop for a birthday dessert.

Below, some of our group, Will, Owen, Silas, Sarah, Phoebe, Popee, and Wanda.

On Sarah's actual birthday, her varsity basketball team played in the sub-state playoff game against Liberal, IN Liberal....about a four hour bus ride, one way. We bought Crumbl Cookies for the team and coaches to celebrate on the bus and a fun birthday hat for her to wear. Coach Allan told Sarah that "she couldn't get on the bus unless she wore the hat". So, of course she wore the hat.

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Although the basketball game didn't end the way we hoped it would, the girls had a great year. They played well together and wanted to do well as a team. As we drove home that night, after the game, our "super Sarah fans" in our vehicle thought of our favorite adjectives that we think describe Sarah the best... happy, smiley, competitive, courageous, positive attitude, empathetic, inclusive, out-going, athletic, determined, gamer (cards and board games, not video), easygoing, adventurous, kind, polite, respectful, intelligent, servant leader, and loving.

The day after her actual birthday we went to eat at KOBE's Japanese Steakhouse for some delicious dinner and some cooking entertainment. The cook kept calling Sarah the "Birthday Girl". He piled on the fried rice for her and game her LOTS of extra shrimp. Some of us were able to catch a shrimp or several shrimp thrown in the air at our faces, (I even was able to catch one this time! For real! I was as surprised as everyone in our group). A birthday dessert was brought out with a sparkling candle and we sang "Happy Birthday" to our favorite 18 year old.

After dinner, we came home and Sarah opened her birthday gifts.

She got a bag full of snacks from Silas and some dorm room items from Phoebe.

We gave her a bracelet, KState Rowing gear, some film for her camera, a little photo album, and some snacks.

Justin got her candy, perfume, a lavender water bottle, and a blanket.

Popee gave her a card with money inside.

We were all still so full from our dinner at Kobe's that we skipped the birthday ice cream cake that night and had it a couple nights later.... We did a good job of spreading Sarah's birthday out over the whole week this year....

Finally the next weekend, she had some of her closest friends come over to play games and eat dessert. I heard lots of laughter and saw lots of smiles that afternoon among these friends. I am thankful for each one of these girls and the friendships that they have built and share.

Below, left to right, Addison, Alia, Jax, Sarah, Aleigha, Ava, and Phoebe.

Happy 18th Birthday to our Sarah! You have had quite a year, full of fun times and friends. My heart is so full thinking of all of your accomplishments thus far in your life. Big times are still ahead. Keep moving forward and shing bright. You will go so far and impact many lives. We love you! Happy Happy Happy Birthday! 

Love, Mommy