Havana is 14!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Havana Ruby is turning 14! Unbelievable! Soon, I won't have two small gems but two grown gems. It's a hard pill to swallow. For Havana, this past year brought many changes both inwardly and in her external world.

Havana switched schools, back to a Montessori style academic environment. She made new friends, got caught up in subjects and was able to be surrounded by the quiet, peaceful redwoods. While Havana can be a force of nature (i.e., she has a tempter, she is strong and forceful!), she is mostly a quiet, introverted person. Havana remains reserved until she gets to know you and then she is all jokes and a bit bossy too. We saw more that part of her personality show up in this past year.

Havana has become a bit more independent. She will often go with her friends into Berkley and Walnut Creek, hanging out for hours with her pals. She would have frequent afterschool hangouts, getting her favorite drink, matcha boba tea, with her school friends. There have been times she has taken the bus or BART with her sister, expanding her independence. It's been wonderful to see her spread her wings a bit more. 

While Havana is growing up, being a teen has not been that easy for baby girl. Like most young adults, there are things that one struggles with. Things like how you look, finding your own style, who your friends are, feeling like people don't like you or are judging you, wanting distance from your family but then seeking reassurance and comfort; we have been seeing all of those things, sometime multiple times a day.  I am not allowed to take many photos, which is a bummer and not always easy to honor. I want to capture her life while also trying to respect her current space. It is not always easy to see my small gem struggle but I know it is part of her development. She is a strong person and I trust she will come through the other side like the phoenix.

Havana and her sister have grown closer this past year. They were never not close but it is more evident that their bond is deepening.  They fight, like most siblings but they depend on each other ("does this look okay?"), hang out with each other (sometimes!), and share some similar interests, while also being very different. Yet, they mostly respect their differences and enjoy sharing secrets, music tastes and boba tea!

This Fall, Havana will start high school at Bentley. She is excited about this next chapter and a bit nervous too. I am looking forward to her being challenged and to seeing her thrive in her new school. Havana is currently taking Spanish immersion in Valencia, Spain. She has made a few friends here at her school but still keeps in touch with her pals at home, using whatsapp at night to stay in touch. Havana is a thoughtful and generous friend. She remembers birthdays and gets her friends gifts that are meaningful and often funny and creative. Havana is a lovely young person, who is extremely bright, quick witted, loving and kind. And, of course, she remains the resident cat whisperer. 

Happy Birthday Havana 

One of Havana's many funny expressions. She keeps us in stitches. She really needs to do theatre!

The phone; the love affair with the phone.....oy vey!

The girls love to do each other's make up.

I had a tarot reading back in May and the lady had Havana pull a few cards. She gave her quite a few things to think about. It was powerful experience for us both.