This is 12

 Egypt turned 12 in early June 2021. It's hard to believe, but it was her second birthday limited by COVID-19. She still had a great time spent at home with her family, but she is already asking for a trip for her 13th birthday because she's tired of always being at home. When I asked where she wanted to go next year, Egypt answered, "Hawaii." Hopefully, it will be safe to travel soon as a family and we can think about Egypt turning a teenager, but lets look back at 12 because it was pretty special. 

Lisa took Egypt for acrylic nails the day before her birthday. Egypt has been begging and pleading for acrylic nails for so long and it was easy to push them off to the future when everything was closed down for the global pandemic. However, her asking increased as things slowly started to open. 

Lisa reports that Egypt was very surprised and beyond thankful for her nails. As a bonus, she also got a pedicure. Lisa let Egypt pick everything out herself. In hindsight, we think Egypt will make a different selection next time. While the nails looked fantastic and held up for her birthday, they did not survive a lake day with speedboat rides, the waterpark, the river, and multiple pool parties in the weeks following her birthday.

Egypt received a bag full of hair products. COVID has forced her to deal with her hair and this has led to an increase need in hair products. She spent hours on her computer researching products and watching videos. Egypt made a detailed list and even wrote down the prices. She was thoughtful and only selected items available from Amazon to make it easy on Lisa. Egypt stated her case to Lisa for each product and I think she received everything from her list. 

Aunt Jo and Uncle Jack from Texas sent Egypt a butterfly kit which she loved. * We'll make another post with an update soon.   

Besides hair products and acrylic nails, Egypt has been asking for a phone for a long time. Again, it was easy to push off during the lockdowns, but as things open and Egypt goes out into the world more, her case for a phone took on a new sense of urgency. Egypt got her phone and is now connected with all her friends across the greater Roseville, CA region.

Egypt was able to pick anything she wanted for her birthday dinner (as long as Door Dash would deliver), but she requested mom's homemade ribs. And they turned out spectacular!

It was a special day for our 12-year-old!