Seven!

Dear my Martha Kate,

Today you are seven!  You are strong and spunky and sweet in the same package - kind of like a gummy worm!  Six has been fun to watch because you have grown up so much, yet you are still my little girl.  You can read with excitement, write great stories, and do math problems even when you are being timed now.  You have two grown up teeth and by next year you will have a lot more big teeth to grow into.  I joke that sometimes you only use the right side of your brain because you are so full of imagination.  Your best singing and dancing is when no one is watching - although sometimes I watch because you are really so fun to watch.  

Your face always tells it all.  It is usually smiling but when it’s not, it’s because you are mad or upset, or because someone else is.  You like for everyone around you to be happy and because you are happy, you have a hard time understanding when people are not.  I am sure that when God made your heart, He made it extra big.  You love to give and always think of ways that you can give to others - especially your mommy.  The other day, you caught a big fat frog and carried him to your brother at the baseball game because you know how much he loves frogs.  You brought your daddy home a guitar pick that you found under a table in a store because you know how he always leaves his in his pockets.  You love to make cards - I got eight from you on Mother’s Day and found eight more on your desk that you were working on. You will run from half a mile to hug someone you love.  

You love to dress up.  Something magical happens inside of you when you put on something fancy.  I watched you try on your ballet costume the other night and you spun and twirled so much that I could hardly take a picture of you.  I love how you really don’t care who is watching you. Ever.  I hope you will always be this confident and carefree.  

I love to listen to your stories because the more you tell, the more dramatic they become and the better your facial expressions are - sometimes there’s even a fake cry at the end for extra flair.  I listen to you when you are in your room teaching your dolls or when your Barbies have a store or a fashion show.  I am amazed at the details and how you never leave anything out.  And, you always repeat the things that I say to you when you are playing.  It’s funny to hear my words come out of your mouth, but it also makes me know that you are thinking about me as much as I think about you. 

You love to be outside.  Every day after school I watch you run to the swing and swing as high as you can.  I think it’s the closest you can get to flying and I’m sure in your mind you really are flying.  You learned to ride your bike this year - it took you about 3 minutes and you’ve been full speed every since.  If there is a puddle of water big enough for you to swim in, you will sure try.  You even told me that you would give away your toys for a big screened porch, and you know, so would I.   

I love when you wake up on Saturdays and it’s just you and me and you fold your legs up in mine and say you love me to infinity or to pi because that’s the longest number and I love you back even more.  I love how when I say we are going on a trip, you are packed in 10 minutes and sitting in the car, even if it’a a week before.  I love how you put your little hand in mine although it’s sometimes hard to hold because the rest of you is all wiggly and twirly.  I love that little things excite you like flowers, baby birds, and Oreo cookies.  

You have a purpose in everything you do in your little life.  Sometimes I don’t understand but when you explain it to me, it makes perfect sense. You are fearless and feisty. You are thirty-seven pounds of pure sunshine and possibility.  

You are seven and I love you.  

Happy Birthday!

Mommy