Twenty-one years and what do you get? Well, another day older, that's for certain.
Gosh, I don't know how we went from this tiny, little sweet pea with rosy cheeks....
to blossoming into full bloom, so fast!
(this photo taken at the boyfriend's house at Christmas)
Has it really been twenty-one years alreadY?
It hardly seems possible, wasn't it only yesterday that I was reading her to sleep? But she's always been one step ahead of me. Early science experiments: At two - putting toothpaste on the cat - she reasoned the cat should have clean teeth, too - she figured licking it off her fur she'd at least get the benefit of the fluoride (no animals were actually harmed in this experiment - a washcloth took it right off, and the cat survived a number of years afterward). Engineering: While I was still trying to find my way through the instructions for whatever latest new gizmo toy she'd gotten for her birthday, I'd look over at the parts, only to find she'd already put it together herself. Creativity: At about six, she wrote, produced, directed and narrated her first film production - a sequel to "Free Willie" (long before the 'official' sequel came out), using a kiddie pool and Barbies (she showed early negotiation skills, too - by enticing the whole family into acting as her film crew).
There were many other inventions (involving intricate systems of tinkertoys, legos, hotwheels and string from doorknobs - spanning across the living room); cooking experiments and taste tests; plays and dance recitals; stories about cats, and art projects gone wild, all along the way - every one of them stamped with her own personal flair.
I can't wait to see what she comes up with next...
Happy Birthday, BonBon!
Edited to add: If anyone's noticed a purple dancing llama named Harry at the bottom of my main page sidebar (it took me awhile to discover it) - that was a birthday surprise from a certain redhead...who continues to stay one step ahead of me!
She's beautiful!
Posted by: Tammy | January 27, 2007 at 02:44 PM
Oh, that was such a sweet tribute to your daughter. I can just see the cat/toothpaste experiment! Your daughter sounds like a very resourceful young woman and she's beautiful as well. Great combination!
Posted by: Janet | January 27, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Happy 21st Bonnie!!!!!!!!!!
Best of everything to you
these are the best years
enjoy......Love, Barb
Posted by: Barbara aka Brain | January 27, 2007 at 10:02 PM
What a wonderful age--and what terrific memories, remind me of similar adventures with my own twenty-one year old daughter. xox
Posted by: patry | January 27, 2007 at 10:19 PM
Happy, Happy 21st Birthday to your beautiful daughter. Don't you wonder how she came to be 21 when you're only 29?? LOL!
XOXO
Posted by: Lisa(0ceandreamer) | January 27, 2007 at 10:56 PM
she is gorgeous! a happy happy birthday from down under xoxox
Posted by: miss*R | January 28, 2007 at 02:52 AM
BonBon is so attractive. Love her gorgeous hair!!!Multi talented as well. What a fun girl you have!!!
xo
Posted by: Gemma | January 28, 2007 at 04:55 AM
Your daughter is beautiful and talented - like her mother! xo
Posted by: Paris Parfait | January 28, 2007 at 05:08 AM
You gotta love daughers! Mine is going on 31 in March (and worrying about wrinkles). I think they make each generation smarter because, like you, I have found myself marveling at her talents and real wisdom for one so young.
Your daughter is lovely - may she continue to be the adventurer throughout her life - and may you continue to the loving recipient of cateloging all that fun!
Posted by: tammy vitale | January 28, 2007 at 05:19 AM
Happy birthday to your beautiful, spunky daughter! I'm sure y'all make a fabulous team. And I adore red hair...
Posted by: Sam | January 28, 2007 at 05:40 AM
Your daughter is gorgeous and her hair is fantastic! i love the cute stories!...hey, what purple dancing Llama/ I gotta go see....
Posted by: Pam Aries | January 28, 2007 at 06:01 AM
wait...is she holding a Tiffany's box!?
Posted by: Pam Aries | January 28, 2007 at 06:02 AM
Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter!
Posted by: Marilyn | January 28, 2007 at 08:38 AM
Happy Birthday to your daughter!! The years really are just ripping by at lightning speed. Enjoy your days together!
Posted by: Alexandra | January 28, 2007 at 08:46 AM
Happy Birthday to your lovely birthday girl - I'd noticed your llama and smiled as I'd had one like that in my sidebar a year ago! But it got distracting so I removed her - she too was purple!
She sounds like she was a wonderful girl to watch grow and has become an equally wonderful woman - blessings to her!
Posted by: Caroline | January 28, 2007 at 10:19 AM
She is very beautiful!
Posted by: artzyjudie | January 28, 2007 at 02:26 PM
Beautiful and congratulations to your lovely girl
Chamara
Posted by: Gypsy Purple--Chamara | January 28, 2007 at 06:53 PM
She's so lovely. Happy Bday to her...
Posted by: violetismycolor | January 28, 2007 at 07:12 PM
Happy Birthday to that lovely daughter. All three of mine are over 35...and in June 2 will be over 40! My, time flies.
Posted by: Sioux | January 28, 2007 at 07:45 PM
Happy Belated Birthday to your gorgeous talented princess. Amazing hair, I love it!
May love and abundance fill up her year!
Peace and giggles
Posted by: giggles | January 29, 2007 at 09:15 AM
I'm sorry I missed her birthday. She is really a strikingly beautiful woman. Her hair is gorgeous. Sounds like she has brains and heart to match. :)
Posted by: lisa | January 30, 2007 at 05:09 AM
I read this last night and felt so warm inside. Your daughter radiates beauty from within as well as being striking! It was a pleasure to read a post made written with such pride and love. One of my daughter's birthdays is next month, only a bit younger than yours.
Posted by: GeL | January 30, 2007 at 09:25 PM