These Are a Few of Her Favorite Things

My first child was born on Mother's Day weekend 18 years ago. She is truly a gift.
So in honor of her big birthday, I had a little surprise party for her.

What do 18 year old girls like? What do they want to do? What do they want to eat?
I should know this by now. But just when you think you've got it figured out, they're on to something new.

Lucky for me she's always been pretty easy, even as a teenager and this was no exception.
I decided to go with all her tried and true favorites, the things she requests time after time.

My guacamole ...

Mango salsa from Whole Foods...

Hot dogs cooked over the backyard campfire!

And since the fire was already lit, we had to have s'mores...

I barely broke a sweat making these chocolate-covered strawberries...

She also loves these...

For entertainment, we had a big inflatable moon bounce - even (especially) for 18 year old girls!
A tarot card reader was also on hand to give them some serious advice about the future.

Birthday cake? I wish.
I'd love to make her a big chocolate layer cake, but she prefers her dad's old specialty - an ice cream pie, made with a Rice Krispie and melted chocolate crust, filled with mint chip ice cream.

Nothing fancy or complicated for this kid.
Like I said, she's easy.
Happy birthday sweetie!