New York was the main attraction for Evelyn's birthday this year. But on the actual day of-- she enjoyed waking up to a few funny memes and her birthday book, meeting up with Caylie and Emma to go get nails done and shopping at the mall.... and then of course In and Out for lunch! In the evening, Blake and I took Evelyn out to CPK- which was a rarity. We hardly ever get to go out with Evelyn alone. A very fun day! And actually, more like a very fun month. Evelyn is taking after me in extending her birthday to a month long celebration-- Disneyland (using her own cash) with her buddies, slumber parties, recording sessions and photo shoots! It's been a full fun month for our girl. Here is an excerpt from her journal:
Evelyn, you’ve had quite the year. Promoting from middle school to high school, starting seminary, visiting Hawaii and New York, learning to ski, starring in Wizard of Oz as Glinda, joining a vocal quartet that tours around San Diego, and everything in between. It’s been a year full of adventure and growth. It’s also been a year full of challenges! Leaving your middle school buddies behind to attend a new school— and high school at that, was not an easy task and it’s been a hardship you’ve handled with courage and determination. Classical Academy was such a wonderful school and you loved your teachers, your musical theatre experiences, and most importantly, your friendships. You went from a school of 300 to a school of 2400! 680 in the Freshmen class alone! I have been so proud of your efforts to acclimate to your new world and perform to the best of your abilities in all things- as you always do. Some of the highlights of the past year included: a ski trip to Brianhead where you took ski lessons and learned how to navigate the slopes, participating in TCA’s Aladdin where you played Jasmine’s handmaiden, starring as Glinda in Wizard of Oz for CYT, winning a director’s choice award and the spark plug award for your performance! Promoting from 8th grade- and singing “You will be Found” at the promotion ceremony. Beach camping with our family and your buddies at Carlsbad State Beach, Universal Studios! Disneyland at Halloween time, Pismo beach with the Paces, a visit to Seattle to spend time with cousins and Grammy and Papa, Girls Camp, a trip to Hawaii with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Stacy where you ziplined, parasailed, snorkeled, hiked and basked in the sun. You attended your first concert this year— actually TWO concerts— The Jonas Brothers and the Beach Boys! You made the decision to attend seminary and you have done your best thus far to wake at the wee small hours of the morning and get yourself to the church! You have studied Spanish and Math, English, Biology and Freshman PE. You have made friends and joined choir. You have organized thousands of weekend plans with friends and sang in church on Mother’s Day. It’s been a busy year with plenty of amazing memories to look back upon.
FAVORITE THINGS: Your favorite food is In n Out hamburgers with ketchup only. You also enjoy Rubios taquitos, cream based chocolate chip frapachinos from Starbucks, and Five Guys burgers. You love peanut M&M’s and rootbeer. You love spaghetti and meatballs and salmon. Hobbies continue to be singing and all things musical theatre. You take voice lessons from Kara Howard and you joined a singing quartet group in Ramona with three other girls where you sing a set of songs around San Diego county. You are really enjoying this experience. Though you quit piano lessons this year, you continue to play frequently and teach yourself new songs every week. You are quite good! You love to read romance/adventure books and love to ask Aunt Jamie for her book recommendations! You enjoy fashion and make up and hair. This year you are starting a stage make up class that you are really looking forward to. You love listening to Broadway musicals every chance you get— Dear Evan Hansen, Freaky Friday and Tuck Everlasting are a few of your current favorites. It is so fun to attend these musical events with you because it brings you so much joy! This year you saw: Aladdin, Anastasia, Dear Evan Hansen, Beetlejuice, and Mean Girls! The last three you saw ON BROADWAY in New York City for your birthday trip. You enjoy photography and are an amazing photographer. You love holidays and seasons and always decorate your room for each upcoming festivity. You love Christmas the most of anything on earth and start listening to Christmas music the second Halloween ends! You love making plans and setting goals. You always make a bucket list and to-do list for yourself. You are conscientious and goal oriented, though a huge procrastinator. Somehow you always get the job done on time and well despite this! You love spending time with your two best friends: Caylie Clark and Emma Metten. You also enjoy spending time with Amaya Campbell. You are a good friend to these gals and they adore you.
Evelyn, you are beautiful- at 5’2” and with your striking red hair and big blue eyes- you turn heads everywhere you go! You are a darling dresser and always look picture perfect. You are as smart as a whip and more musically gifted and talented than anyone I know. You are thoughtful in everything you do. You think things through and are a great writer and communicator when pushed to do so! You are a leader and don’t worry so much about what others are thinking of you. You think boys are cute but haven’t really entered the boy crazy phase of life- thank goodness! You are sensible and polite. You are quiet and introspective, yet silly and funny with your friends. Your siblings look up to you and love when you spend time with them. Dad and I are so proud of you and proud of the young lady you are becoming. We admire you and appreciate the hard work you display in all areas of your life. We appreciate your willingness to attend church/seminary even though it may not be a top priority for you currently. You are willing to do the things we ask and we love you for it. We know you will do great things in this life and can’t wait to see what those things will be! You are one amazing kiddo and we are so lucky to have your in our family. Love you Evelyn!
