Ouest turned eleven today. Ten was a big year that seemed to go too fast. It sometimes felt as if she grew an inch every day, to the point that folding clothes and putting them in the right pile has become nearly impossible for me.
As parents our goal has always been to raise kind kids. No matter what else they do we want them to exude kindness to each other and to others, and regarding that one major goal we know we’ve succeeded. Ouest is incredibly caring and kind, and I can’t imagine any brother that could be luckier than Lowe, or parents that could be luckier than us.
Ali’s getting a little help with the cupcake making these days.
Oh, haha, everyone thinks it’s so funny when Papa attempts to do something as delicate as clasping a necklace. Well, I had the last laugh. After just five minutes my big fingers hit the target.
A couple weeks ago Ouest somehow discovered the Pocket Scavenger book. We thought we had her birthday presents all done, which, when you live on a boat and travel in the islands, is something that you start planning for months in advance. For days she talked about this book. It was all she could think about. We explained there was no way we could possibly get it for her, but we’d keep it on our “When-Someone-Comes-For-A-Visit” list. She knows how this lifestyle works, so she resigned herself to the fact that this birthday wouldn’t include her number one wish.
Of course, when your eleven-year-old’s most fervent wish for her birthday is a ten dollar book, and not one of a million crappy, inappropriate, and expensive gifts, you figure out a way to get it. We first had to order it and have it sent to Ali’s sister, who then mailed it to a friend’s PO Box in St. Thomas. A few days later we found out it had arrived there. We were now in St. John, so one day we told the kids I had to go to the marine store to get an engine part, and I set off on the seven-mile dinghy ride (in absolutely torrential rains, no less) to the east end of St. Thomas. There I got in the back of a pickup-truck style open air bus for a ride across the island to meet our friend at the post office, before repeating the trip home.
All for this smile.
Someone must have stood on the beach with a bucket of balls and just teed off. We’ve been collecting them every time we go for a swim.
And finding other things to do with them.
Happy 11th Birthday, Ouest.
23 Comments on “Eleven”
“All for this smile” You got the best end of the deal.
It is great watching Ouest grow into the poised, confident young lady she has become. Thanks for bringing us along for the ride.
Merry Christmas, Bumfamily.
I like all your posts – for many reasons – but I loved this one. You have a wonderful family and it shows in these photos. Merry Christmas.
What a good daddy! Happy Birthday, Ouest – you are lovelier each day.
I love it, what we do for our kids! Merry Christmas. Cheers, Shelagh
Happy Birthday Ouest.
Magic
Love this post!
Raise kind kids…what a concept.
Happy Birthday, Ouest…you are just the sweetest. My hope for you is that you find and follow your passion in life, and share your goodness and kindness with a world that needs it desperately.
Merry Christmas, Bums!
What a kind, exemplary family you are. You are getting a lot of positive thoughts from all your followers. What a treasure.
Happy birthday Ouest, you have grown into a very beautiful young girl who your parents can be proud of.
Looked up the book and it’s just wonderful for encouraging creativity. Great choice! Happy birthday Ouest!
Happy Birthday to a lovely young lady! Pat and Ali, you are doing the parenting thing correctly and I Thank You for making the world a better place by raising two wonderful people. In the future, if you need something sent from the mainland to St. John, you can use a place called Connections. Just a 30 sec. walk up from the ferry dock in Cruz Bay. It’s been around for decades and is very reliable. Wishing you all a Merry Carefree Christmas and a Happy Covidfree New Year!
Awesome. Thanks for that.
As I have followed along on your journeys, and have watched your children, I marvel and am thrilled to see both of them growing up as kind and happy kids. Happy birthday to a beautiful young lady! And, a day late, I am hoping you had the best of Christmases and wishing you well in 2021.
Happy Birthday, Ouest. It has been a pleasure to watch the Bumfuzzle family for all these years–even before you! Your parents have surely succeeded in raising kind children. Make sure to remember the story of how your Dad got your birthday book. That’s kindness and love.
Happy birthday Ouest. I remember when you were born. Your baby bed on the monohull was so awesome. Watching you learn to crawl and your fascination with the stairs up to the deck. You have grown into quiet the young lady.
Happy birthday to Ouest! She is so grownup and beautiful inside and out.
Happy Birthday Ouest!?
Your smile has always been so bright ✨
Take care
Jen, Raimey & Chaiya
“MotorMouth” is still following with interest! Happy trails!
“MotorMouth” is still following with interest, including before the arrival of the children!
Happy birthday, Ouest! Looks like such a fun party, and I’m glad you got the book you most wanted! You have a really great dad, but you know that.
Happy birthday Ouest! You have really grown this year and I have so enjoyed watching you change from a preschooler to a pre-teen. You and your family live a life I envy but would probably have never done. I so enjoy your posts, photos and documentation of a life well lived and a family well loved.
Thanks everyone for the love. And more nice comments on our facebook page for Ouest’s birthday. What a community we have. https://www.facebook.com/BumfuzzleTravels/posts/3530193700434877?comment_id=3533826516738262¬if_id=1609076645351677¬if_t=feed_comment&ref=notif
I know about young ladies birthdays and was so glad to help but you are right –that smile is where it all comes together. You did good dinghy man!