Cruz's 16th Birthday Celebration

 On May 26 we celebrated Cruz's 16th birthday.   

 

kitchen decorations 

 

 

He is currently obsessed with trucks and vehicles.  When I saw this balloon at a local store I knew he'd love it. 

 

 
birthday pancakes

 

 

opening gifts

This year he didn't ask for any presents.  He wanted money for upcoming outings with friends.

 

I did get him a few of his favorite snacks. 

 

Sweet 16 

 

 

We took family photos. 

 

 

David and Cruz 

 

Ben and Cruz 

 

me and Cruz 

 

 

We drove into Guatemala City to visit Futeca Top Tee. 

 

 

He had the best time!! 

 

 

 

 

We stopped for coffee on the drive back home. 

 

We ended the day with supper at Hector's Bistro. 

 

birthday supper 

 

We ended the day with birthday dessert. He wanted a chocolate swirl cheesecake this year. 

 

 

He is growing up fast! 

 

 

his birth announcement 

 

 Here's a look at his birthdays over the years-

 

 

birthdays 1-10 

 

birthdays 11-15 

 

 

family photos 1-7  

 

 

family photos 8- 14 

 

 

family photo from his 15th birthday

 

He will be a junior in the fall.  He just got his Guatemala driver's license and will transfer his U.S. driver's permit to a regular license later this summer.  He is steadily getting more independent and mature.  It is a joy to watch him grow up and become who God wants him to be. He makes us laugh, keeps us on our toes, and fills our home with so much life. We cannot thank God enough for this incredible gift.

Last Day of School May 2026 (8th and 10th Grade)

On Friday, May 15, we wrapped up our school year and officially started our summer break.  It is the best feeling!!!  This was a split year because we spent the first semester in the States and the second semester back in Guatemala.  That can be a challenge, but we stayed on track and finished strong.  We have now completed eleven years of homeschool and only have four more to go (two with Cruz and four with Ben).  I am so proud to have made it this far! In the fall we will have two in high school.  How is that possible???

 

our decorations 

 

 

Cruz 

  

Ben 

 

For breakfast I made waffles with a wide variety of toppings. Everyone fixed their own like they like them.  We also had bacon.

 

 

My waffle had nutella, banana, honey, whipped cream, and sprinkles. 

 

the boys on the last day of school 

 

 

Cruz completed 10th grade. 

 

Ben completed 8th grade. 

 

 

me and my boys 

 

 

hello summer break!!! 

 

 

The years are passing quickly! 

 

 

 

 

our schoolroom board 

 

 

I got the sweetest teacher gifts from the boys.  The first was these two African violet plants.  I love purple! 

 

 

I put them on my kitchen windowsill. 

Years ago the boys put that plastic iguana there to try to scare me. I never moved it and now seeing it makes me smile. 

 

I got this cute confetti filled helium balloon. 

 

And, I got a slice of strawberry cake from the San Martin bakery. It is a favorite! 

 

So, that's a wrap!  We'll be back at it again the first week of August. 

 

Cruz Turns 15

For Cruz's actual birthday (May 26) we were away on vacation in Colorado.  We had a celebration birthday breakfast for him before we left and took all of our traditional birthday photos.   

 

 

 

chocolate chip banana pancakes 

 

Here is a look at his birthday celebrations over the years. 

 

 

birthdays 1-10 

 

birthdays 11-14  

 

birthday #15

This year I baked him a chocolate chess pie. 

 

 

family photos on birthdays 1-7 

 

family photos on birthdays 8-14 

 

 

our family on birthday #15 

 

 

He had a wonderful day of celebrating on his actual birthday. Here he is at Pikes Peak.  I'll share about that and the rest of our Colorado vacation next. 

 

 

 

 

I always share this video on Cruz's birthday.  It is one of my favorites!  Time really is passing quickly.  We only have three more years of Cruz living at home.  I plan to savor every minute of that!