Lilah Grace,
You are 7 YEARS OLD!!!! This past year has been so much fun watching you grow into a beautiful 7 year old.
You continue to be my cuddle bug. I can always expect some great cuddles in the morning and before bedtime. But I noticed this past year that you like to just have a 30 second cuddle several times throughout the day. You will be playing along. Then all of the sudden you run over for a hug session and a quick "I love you, mom". It is just so darn cute and makes me smile every time. I hope you never grow out of this.
You were having lots of tummy aches and it took us a while to realize why. We discovered that you have a bit of anxiety over new activities or changes in life. This seems to manifest in a tummy ache for you. A couple big ones I remember were getting on the big cruise ship and skiing down the top of the mountain. Once we identified you were scared of these things we have been able to talk to you and it seems to get better. You still don't like change and would prefer to stay home with mom and dad as opposed to going to school.
Sister Sue, you my girl, have quite the temper. You started out at 6 with some pretty crazy tantrums, but slowly you are starting to realize this is not the correct behavior. We have realized the best remedy for you is to be by yourself and frankly wear yourself out. It is almost as though you have to release all your emotions, in order to think reasonably. Then you can have a conversation with someone. I have also noticed that you can apologize to others. This has been very hard for you in the past, but now you can say sorry easier.
You and Addy are still best buds. You play together and are each others best buds. She is so protective of you. At church you are always side by side and holding hands. There have been several people that have commented just how loving you two are to each other. Of course, you have a few squabbles now and then, but for the most part you love each other unconditionally. You watch her every move and then try to imitate her. You want to be just like your big sister.
Kindergarten- This year you officially started school. You loved your teacher, Mrs. Rutherford. I would say you liked school, but given the choice you would rather stay home with your parents. Your teacher said you were her little helper. During free play in the afternoon, you would be the teacher and have all the other kids be your students. There were several times you would read to the group. Mrs. Rutherford said you were always there to get other students in line or to help your table friends stay on task. You started out the year with your best friend as Landon, who you say is your boyfriend and you will marry. Throughout the year, you made several more friends, Isaac (who writes you love letters) and Jaxx. Your best friend is now Halle. The five of you all played together on the playground this year. You have had several play dates with Halle and she surprised you with a "best friend" necklace. This made you so excited.
I love you so very much and am so proud to be your mommy.
Love you forever and always,
Mama
While we were taking your 7 year old photos, I saw myself in you. So many people say we look just alike and I have never seen it. However, while taking your picture it hit me and I saw myself in you. So cool.
and that's a wrap!
Since, I didn't post a 6 year old birthday letter, here were a couple highlights from that year I don't want to forget.....
Kindergarten tryouts- As part of the last days of Pre-K, the class spends a day with the Kindergarten class to get excited about what is to come next year. I told you this was Kindergarten tryouts! Haha. You really took it to heart. You insisted on wearing a school uniform that day. You completely rocked this day. The teachers said you listened and jumped in to all of the activities like a pro. You are so ready for Kindergarten. I am so glad we gave you that extra year, just so you are the most confident Kindergartener you can be. At the end of the day you came home and said you had made a new best friend! You couldn't stop talking about all of the activities of the day. Also, for the rest of the week you wore uniforms to school, telling me "Mom they will probably think I am a Kindergartener!". Oh little one, I am so excited for you to start your school career in a few months. I know you will rock it!
Thumb sucking- This was a big milestone year for you. You stopped sucking your thumb! Back in January you had strep throat. We took you to the doctor and she told you that you got it from sucking your thumb. She said you really shouldn't suck your thumb anymore. For whatever reason that was all it took. You decided you would stop sucking your thumb. The first night was really hard. You had all your silkies and you told Daddy. "My silkies make me want to suck my thumb." There were a few nights over the next couple of weeks you would wake up sucking your thumb, but never during the day. After one full week, I rewarded you with a trip to Target to pick out anything you wanted. Of course, you chose a baby. I dreaded this process from the moment you started sucking your thumb as a newborn. But you showed us sister just how stubborn and strong willed you are! You also took it upon yourself to talk to your classmates about the dangers of sucking your thumb. When she saw them sucking their thumb at school she said "stop you are going to get THE STREP". Haha.
