Z to the 16th Power

It's happened again. 

Another child has reached sixteen-hood.  Sixteen. Old enough to get a tattoo (with parental consent), which is what we're doing today. I'm taking my cute curly headed little boy second oldest son to get his first tattoo on his 16th birthday.

Sixteen.

Zachary is such a joy to be with ... at least most of the time. If he's gotten enough sleep. And if his siblings aren't driving him up the wall. Especially after a conversation with Laila. *insert hearts and smoochy faces here* I love the conversations we have, especially when it's just the two of us driving somewhere and we can not only speak uninterrupted, but about everything and anything. We always end up laughing ... and wondering how we landed on the topics we're discussing. 

I love that Zachary has confidence in who he is and that it shines through when hanging around with friends. He owns his uniqueness and isn't afraid to think or to do things that are "out of the box," Like help Laila with Nail Art class at Epoch Arts Homeschool Co-op ... and keep the polish on afterwards ... or bring his unicorns and rainbows blanket to Camp Calumet. 

In the past year, Zachary has been a zombie, a blacklight reactive wolf, done tech for Dinner Theater and Beautiful Things, agreed to go onstage at nearly the last minute for the Arts Response on Addiction performance, and so much more. I am in awe at the level of responsibility he is willing to take on and the great help he is in all that he decides to do. 

I love his church bulletin doodles, too. 

Happy 16th Birthday, Zachary Thomas Jack Bucka Steyer! 

I was soooooooo tempted to put the bear picture here, but it's your birthday, so I'll be nice.