Happy 7th Birthday, Lily!

Today my sweet baby girl is 7!!! I can't believe it. When Lily was first born, someone shared some wisdom about having children that stuck with me. Think of your kids like 3 six-packs--essentially 18 cans. Each year of their childhood represents a can. The first 6 pack (the first 6 years) represents a lot of firsts. Walking, talking, learning new skills, going off to school. You're very focused on their physical development during this time. The second six pack represents those middle years 7-12 which a lot of people say are the most fun. They can do so much more. They carry on deeper conversations, but they're still very much kids--lots of excitement and fun. And the last 6 pack 13-18 are the teen years when they really develop into young adults. It shows how little time we actually have to raise our children, and as I sit here on her birthday thinking about this analogy, I'm both excited and a little sad that I'm entering the 2nd six pack with my little Lily.

At this stage in life, here are a few things about Lily: Lily is fun and hilarious. She's full of energy and ideas. She loves to laugh and be silly. She is up for just about anything and loves to try new things. Her soccer coach said she's fearless. She's a great dancer. She is a good friend, and loves making new friends, but is usually a little shy at first--prefers to be approached. She is tender hearted and doesn't like to disappoint people. She can be dramatic and has learned how to manipulate her little sister when she has something Lily wants. But she's also so sweet with her--reads to her and teaches her new things. Quality time is her love language, so she loves to just talk and spend time together, no matter what it is. She's smart as a whip and knows things that blow my mind. She's inquisitive and asks insightful questions. She explains things to me in a way that I can't believe her little mind can comprehend. She loves math, science, spelling, and art, but not reading. She has a beautiful voice and can carry a tune, and loves listening to music in the car. She'll usually pick one song and listen to it on repeat for about 3 weeks, then pick a new one. She's fascinated with sharks and alligators, and likes to watch videos about both on youtube. She also loves watching the hashtag sisters videos.

Fun things Lily did this past year:

She lost her two bottom teeth!

She got her first mani/pedi!

She completed first grade and did awesome!

She completed her 4th year of dance!

She played soccer

She went on her first solo plane ride as an unaccompanied minor

She was a flower girl in cousin Madison's wedding (her 3rd time being a flower girl)

She attended the Iowa State Fair and showed Louisa how freaking awesome it is!

She learned how to do a head stand

She visited Magnolia Farms and perfected the art of the perfect photo pose

(ahem--she's 7, not 17)

She became a budding artist

She showed Louisa the ropes to getting the most candy on Halloween!

She took her first boat ride and learned the importance of dressing for the occasion

She picked her future career: doctor

She rode her first motorcycle

She took Papa Ed to dance

She made (and ate) her first gingerbread house

She taught Louisa all about some of our favorite Christmas traditions like matching PJs on Christmas Eve and cousin photos

She became the BEST big sister to Louisa

Happy 7th birthday, Lily! I love you to the moon and back and can't wait to see what's in store for this next year, and our second six-pack!