Happy Sweet Sixteen, Cari!

Sixteen years ago today, my second niece, Cari, was born. I love all four of my sister's kids — three nieces and a nephew — and each one of them holds a special place in my heart. Cari was definitely the funniest of the four, and I can remember so many cute things she did as a little girl. Once, I arrived at my mom and dad's to find Cari waiting at the door for me. I said, "Hey, what're you doing?" and she looked at me as if I wasn't very bright and said, "Letting you in." My mom told me about the time Cari was 3 or 4 and got caught sneaking her mom's razor and attempting to shave her legs. Cari got in huge trouble for that, and my mother, trying to discourage this particular grandchild's early shaving habit, asked, "Now, Cari, was it worth all the trouble you got in for that?" and Cari said that yes, it sure was. That's the kind of kid she was, but I'm happy to report she has blossomed into a sweet and thoughtful young lady!

I know that many of you, like me, have enjoyed special teatimes with the young ladies in your life. This is one of my favorite photos of Cari, at right, and her big sis, Madison, at tea at my old house.

This was a tea party celebrating a past birthday, and I believe this was the year she was into "Little House on the Prairie" DVDs judging from the gift.

When "Alice in Wonderland" hit the big screen, my nieces were happy to go with me to see it. For Cari, the draw was Johnny Depp. For me, it was tea! (An early birthday gift for Cari was a surprise trip to Hollywood with her dad. She thought they were headed to Texas to see grandparents, but actually they flew to LA for several days of studio tours and sightseeing. I was not at all surprised when one of the first photos she posted on Facebook was with a Johnny Depp lookalike from "Pirates of the Caribbean.")

Oh, how I loved those years when little girls still liked to dress up!

And this is a photo from the formal tea party we had when Cari became a teenager. I am hopeful that the tea parties will never end!