Eight years. I look forward to this little girl’s future, while at the same time I pine for her past. Which, I suppose, is all the more reason to work hard at living in the moment.
I could go on and on with superlatives that describe Ouest, but at the end of the day her single best feature is that she is, simply, a nice person. It’s all we really want our kids to grow to be. Love your family, treat others with kindness, and show compassion for people, animals, and our earth. She embraces all of this, to a degree that I only wish I could manage myself.
Starting the day off with a gift from Lowe.
Cupcakes—of course.
If our kids ever offer you food, consider your answer carefully.
We read through all the Pippi Longstocking books recently, and both the kids fell in love with her.
I always have a knife in my pocket. Ali tries to give me a hard time about it, but I bet I use it ten times a day to cut up food, open packages, and a million other things. Ouest, of course, thinks having a knife is amazing. She’s papa’s girl. She has been asking me for a “sharp knife” for at least two years now. We’ve always told her you can’t have a knife until you are nine—like it’s a rule. But she’s never stopped asking. Literally the day before her birthday she was still asking me why she had to wait until she was nine.
So, to say she was happy with her gift, a small pocket knife sharpened up like a razor, would be an understatement. Her smile says it all.
Our Mexico guitar was too big for her. This one is not.
Sometimes being told the safety rules just isn’t enough—you need to make mistakes in order to learn. Also, by the time I was eight you can bet I knew what holding your finger up like this meant. Ouest? Not a clue.
Only downside of her knife was that it didn’t have a clip like mine. We solved that.
Even a cold day at the beach is better than no day at the beach.
Winding down after a full day as Ali cooks up Ouest’s birthday dinner request—brats and corn on the cob.
47 Comments on “Eight”
Happy birthday, Ouest!
Happy birthday Ouest. You look so much like your mom.
Happy Birthday, Ouest! My parents bought me a Martin guitar when I was 8, too! Aren’t we lucky?! I still have mine, 46 years later. It was only when I was older that I realized Mom & Dad had bought me an antique: it’s a 1935 00-17, made of mahogany. It’s 82 years old!
What an amazing guitar and neat story.
What a wonderful birthday and lovely photos of Ouest. She is beautiful! And multi-talented: a surfer and now a guitarist!? You are a proud papa for sure, and for good reason.
Happy Birthday Ouest. I can’t believe you’re 8 already. It only seems a while ago we were watching you take to the water like a fish when just a baby.
Happy Birthday Ouest! Bums, have a wonderful holiday and an adventurous 2018! We all look forward to sharing your journeys and watching the kids grow up!
Felizcidades Ouest! We hope you have another amazing year filled with fun and happiness:)
Happy Birthday Ouest, your beautiful smile is contagious!
Happy Birthday, Ouest. You are growing into an amazing young woman. So self-assured. You are part of a beautiful family. This next year will be even more interesting and exciting than the last. Have fun!!!
Looks like you had a great birthday. Am looking forward to the new adventures ahead on the water.
Happy birrhday, Ouest.
Happy Birthday!!! My girls are 15, 17 and 19 and we still talk about Pippi! Check out The Children of Noisy Village (also by Astrid Lindgren) if you haven’t already. It’s excellent!!!
Yes have those, as well as a few other characters by Astrid Lindgren. Currently reading Rasmus and The Vagabond. She is awesome.
Happy Birthday Ouest,
Your a super-special angel, with the most beautiful parents.
T.
Happy Birthday Ouesterly!
What a cool knife! And your Dad is right, you are a nice girl. Have fun on the boat and have lots of new adventures. Oh! Could you please give Mom, Dad, and Lowe a big hug from me?
Magic
Thanks, Magic. Hope you and your family are having a joyous holiday season. Miss you!
I love how your birthday traditions live on. Kids love that. You are a lucky girl, Ouest. These pictures perfectly display how joyful your day was. Thanks for sharing with us.
We looked back at photos from her previous birthdays while the cupcakes were baking. It was fun to see all the different homes but everything was still the same.
Happy birthday, Ouest! Looks like we share a birthday. We Sagittarians are natural travelers and adventurers!
Well Happy Belated to you, Maureen! It also says you both are bold and independent – yikes we are in trouble! 🙂
Wow eight years, it is hard to believe. Time passes so fast. Astrid Lindgren books are amazing. We loved the Michael from Lönneberga, even more than Pipi.
Will have to check out that character from Astrid Lindgren. Thanks!
Greetings from Southport!
If you would email me your snail mail address I would be delighted to hook Ouest up with a couple extra sets of Martin strings, some really cool picks and a t-shirt if I can find one that small! Merry Christmas from Dixie.
Bob@stringsandbeyond.com
Wow that is nice of you, Bob! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
HaPpY BiRtHdAy Ouest! Happy practicing the guitar ~ you’ll love it! I look forward to pickin’ a tune on the banjo with you sometime. Merry Christmas Bums.
That would be so fun Glenn! Thank you both for the wonderful time and for also sending us more amazing gifts. Mylinda, you are a canning goddess.
Happy Birthday to Ouest, her smile says it all!!
I loved all the photos, but somehow I think the one where Lowe is looking up at Oust in the tree with all that admiration on his face is my favorite. My brother and I grew up much like Ouest & Lowe did – very close, always traveling, etc – and I miss him terribly. Seeing these photos of your kid’s love and friendship is bittersweet, but man, you sure are doing it right with helping them create the bond like that.
xoxo love to you all, and happy birthday, Ouest!!
Thank you, Meriah. I can feel how close you and Dana were from your writings. i think your gang is going to love Hawaii. 2018 will be good. Much love to you and the kids.
A guitar and a swiss army knife. How much better can an 8th b-day get?
I hope she makes better sounds on her Koa than I make on mine.
Seriously, right?! A great birthday. She has the strumming down, now to learn some notes. Luckily she has time on her side.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUEST !!! Pat and Ali she is gorgeous !! I can’t believe she is 8. We were looking on the blog at your bus posts.. boy those lucky kids have grown..love your new form of transport and can’t wait to see where she takes you next..The big blue bus is amazing we just resurfaced both manifolds and she is so much more quiet , I can actually talk to Ron when we are cruising down the road ! You guys should cruise up to Amelia Island and see the big house that they filmed Pippi Longstocking . Nice day trip..Merry Christmas Bums !! xxx
Thanks, Kerry! They would love to see “Pippi’s” house! And so happy the blue bus is treating you well. And funny we were looking at the same photos as you! Happy New Year to you and Ron!
Happy Birthday Ouest! I still remember when we first met you but I can’t believe it was almost 8 years ago. Bet the time went by faster for us than it did for you. Lulu and I both carry the exact same knife you have except our current ones are blue, not pink like yours. Good luck with the guitar. It looks really good on you. Keep having fun, Steve & Lulu
Yes it feels like another life ago that we met at Hidden Harbor on Bumfuzzle (2). And amazing we have met up a few more times in different locations over the years (3 more times?!). Happy holidays friends and hope to see you again in 2018!
Happy haappy haaappy B I R T H D A A A A A AYYYYYYYYYYY to you!!!!!!!
Blessings to you on this day of your birth….
Scott
What an awesome birthday Ouest had! Last time I was reading your blog, you guys were road tripping! Makes me smile to see you back on a boat. 🙂
We’re building our boat and our little girl has just turned 2. You are inspirational. 😀
Happy Belated Birthday Ouest. We also share a birthday. Only I’m a lot older and not as cute. Be careful with the new knife. Bet you’re a talented guitar player. Wishing you and your family all the best. Your great auntie Sherri.
Happy Belated, Aunt Sherri! We hope everyone had a great Christmas.
The 1988 movie “The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking” was filmed up the road a bit in Fernandina Beach FL. https://brucestambaugh.com/2015/03/30/pippi-longstocking-comes-to-life-on-amelia-island-florida/
How cool is that?! They just watched that film over the weekend. And loved it!
my grand daughter Hannah just turned 9 we need to get them together!! on beach! Happy Birthday!! careful with that knife!! steve Melbourne fl
Ouest is just lovely. I can tell she is your heart, Pat, and always has been. Lucky her and lucky you. Merry Christmas!
Happy Birthday Ouest! Beautiful and smart.
Happy (late) Birthday, Ali!!!
You never forget, Roland! Thank you for that.