Malls, iPods and 13-year-olds

Well, it's official. I'm the parent of a teenager.

Erika turned 13 Friday.

She spent most of the day babysitting Nathan, the 9-year-old boy she's been babysitting every weekday for the past two weeks. I took the two out for dinner one night when Nathan's dad worked late and being around Nathan made me really want a son. He lives with his single dad and loves drawing race cars (in action, complete with squealing tires) and is deeply attached to his six frogs and one large toad, which he caught himself and now keeps in a terrarium, feeding them crickets and grasshoppers. I asked Erika if there was a way we could adopt him but she agreed his dad probably wouldn't go for it. Plus, it would put her out of a job, I guess.

Being around Nathan made me realize how much Erika has grown up in the past few years. This summer she moved all of her Bratz dolls and other toys out of her bedroom because they're too "babyish." Her room now is filled with posters of dreamy boys and one or two Lindsay Lohan and Hillary Duff posters. It's crazy. She has a larger CD collection than I do.

So for her birthday she got lots of great stuff - a gift card to the movie theater from her aunt and uncle and cousins; a "really loud" alarm clock, to get her up in the mornings during the school year from her great-grandma; and a queen-sized bed from her grandparents who spoil her the most.

From her cool mom and stepdad, Erika got three tickets to the "Cheetah Girls" concert at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul in November. Also performing is the lead actress from "High School Musical." Erika is allowed to bring one friend to the concert with us. I will be serving as the designated driver and keeper of the disposable cash. She was very excited about it, but thought the "Cheetah Girls" birthday cake was a little over the top.

It's hard to know where to draw the line.

Her dad and stepmom got her an iPod shuffle for her birthday so I'm now charging it on my computer. She's already picked out about 90 of her favorite songs to put on it. I don't own an iPod, so I'm a little jealous. She said a few of her friends already have iPods, including her stepbrother, who is 11 days younger than she is, so I guess we're behind the times in our house.

Tonight Erika and her b/f/f, Rachel, are going to a PG-13 movie (yes, now they CAN!) together while again, I'm the designated driver. Then it's slumber party time at our house. This means a sleepless night for me and Nels because of all the chitter-chatter, laughing, loud music, etc.)

Then Sunday, Erika, Rachel and another friend or two (not sure what the head count is yet) and I are going to head to St. Cloud for a day of shopping as part of her first official teenage birthday party.

This time I get to meet my b/f/f, Suzi, there, too. :) Suzi's driving from the Twin Cities to meet us, hang out with her goddaughter but mostly to chat about boys with me.

I should call her and ask if she wants me to bring my Madonna or Duran Duran tapes.

Oh, to be 13 again.