kids are kids regardless of age (and regardless of what they say)

My daughter and her friend are these big cool teenagers now, but I see through it. As soon as we invited one of the little besties over, I asked what they wanted for lunch. Go figure. Macaroni and cheese with chicken nuggets. And, of course, Takis (gag). 

My kid wanted to make her friend lunch and I am down for that! However, she needed to show off her new vanity. Then they played with the dog. Then they did ALL the skin care (thanks YouTube for that unnecessary trend!). While they girled, I made the quickest, easiest lunch and even chopped up an apple so the lunch wouldn't be processed food with a side of red dye 40. We got a few Christmas platters with 4 dividers last holiday season, so I put their food into the divider plates. 

As soon as the girls sat down, there were ooohhhs and aaahhhs over the Christmas trays. It's the little things that count you guys! I make easy lunch and put it in cute platters instead of on a plate. They went bonkers over the cuteness. I got loads of thank you's and we were going to eat anyways! 

Don't let the term "teenager" fool you when you walk into this house. Yes, there are more products in her room than in Sephora. Yes, her floor is covered in clothes and who knows what. Yes, she talks to her Alexa each night like a goofball. BUT, chicken nuggets and their presentation will always go far with her just like they did when she was 3, 5, and also 7. 

Easter with a teenager ...

Back in the day, these holidays were a bit simpler! In our world, Jesus is the reason for the season. You dress up, go to church, and get a basket with some yummies and trinkets and call it good. Then commercialism hit. Pinterest hit. The Target dollar spot hit. It started looking a little different.

In the past 5 years, the Easter basket has been centered around summer fun: new swimsuit, goggles, seeds for the yard, cute planter/garden stuff for girls, and a little candy since this kid doesn't have a huge sweet tooth. But now? What does one do for a teenager who doesn't believe in the magic, but believes in the reason for the season? Bye bye seeds and gardening gloves. Bye bye bubbles and sidewalk chalk. Bye bye slime and goo.

Hit up your favorite small town store for all the inspo! We love Ric Rac Embellishments & Gifts. It is the cutest little store in downtown Rockton. You can wander through in any season to find something cute to take home. We were in there for a quick mother-daughter day to see the spring fun. These purses were IT for my kid. She was practically drooling. 

One Daisy purse, some fuzzy slippers, and fresh linen spray for her bedding and there you have it. A mature, yet girly, Easter basket. We upgraded jelly beans for sour patch kids, chocolate bunnies for Lindor chocolate, and slime for make up remover wipes. I now have a teenager 😪 It is okay. I will be fine. I just have something in my eye... 😉