18 Years Old! Grace Is An Adult!

Grace had a pretty good 18th Birthday! It coincided with her day off from college, which worked out well.

The day before, all her college friends and tutors had made a big fuss of her and given her a surprise party at the end of the day, with cupcakes they'd made and decorations and presents etc. I love that unit. They are very thoughtful there.

The morning of her birthday, she came down to breakfast and found these gifts.
Present giving and receiving can be a little stressful for all of us with Grace, but it went as well as expected.

The things she asked for, she was very happy with.

Some gifts confused her.

The 'Key of the Door'. It's a little tradition here.

Ah, the DSI was the main present she asked for. Now she has something to do on her long taxi journeys to college every day.

It all had to be understood and worked out and that took time.

Later, the three of us went out for lunch. It was a perfect, sunny day! Jack just wars the hat when he can't be bothered to make his mohican stand up!

Me and my adult daughter!
After lunch, we dropped round to the dr's surgery (office) to use the BMI machine. Grace was perfect, as usual. Jack was 'overweight' by one pound, but he's so muscular, we decided to ignore that! {g} I'm not telling my result.

In the afternoon, THREE friends dropped by, individually and unexpectedly, which threw Grace somewhat, but she recovered well! So many pictures taken.

And quite a few costume changes! LOL! And when Jamie got home, it was off to Pizza Express for our traditional 2-for-1 celebration meal! Jamie was happy to let us know we had saved 27 quid with our vouchers.


Shame about the flash!

She ordered a glass of wine with dinner, which surprised us. Jamie and I did not. We've tried to model responsible drinking with the kids. One glass of wine with our Saturday evening meal at home. But also that, just because we CAN drink, we don't always do that.

Then home for cake! The silver cross below was also one of her presents!

By the end of the evening, she seemed happy and content. She'd received quite a few text messages and emails wishing her a happy birthday too. I think people do genuinely like her, despite the challenges she has socially because of her autism.

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She got a card from the Chief Executive of the Electoral Registration Unit reminding her of her responsibility to vote in the next elections. We'll have to start teaching her about politics, I suppose!

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This Big Birthday came and went. I remembered her birth, a calm, planned Cesarean section and then the absolute joy of holding our own longed-for little one in my arms.