Lucky Number Seven

I don't know what it is about Lydia - maybe because she's my first child and the first to hit all the milestones - but her birthdays are always a little painful for me. I just can't believe how old she suddenly is.

This year Lydia turned seven. Seven! I never saw myself with a seven year old, and I just don't know how this happened. I still want her to be my little toddler girl. Next year she'll be old enough to be baptized!

Although I'm shocked that she's already seven, I sure love the seven-year-old self that she is. Loving school, friends, family, learning, fun, and all things girly, she's a joy to have...even with the eye-rolling, learning how to hide things from your parents, bossiness, and ignoring the rules that come with growing up. 

This year her birthday was on a Sunday which she was excited about, since that's her favorite day of the week. It was supposed to be on Stake Conference, but then Stake Conference was moved and Lydia was strangely disappointed about that. I guess she liked feeling extra special that her birthday was on a special Sunday.

Lydia woke up to a new dress to wear and for her presents she was spoiled with Shopkins, Beanie Boos, clothes, shoes, scarves, purses, pencils, notepad, Cheetos, her own electric pencil sharpener (the drama involving sharpened pencils for homework around our house is insane!), and more. I'd say she was one lucky girl. 

She picked a cookie cake, of course - her standard request. And I found a chocolate peanut butter lover's recipe since Lydia loves Reeses. It was the best cookie cake yet. So good! She was a little afraid of the fire on the candles, so blowing them out took a little while with some convincing to get a little closer. For her birthday dinner she requested macaroni and cheese, green apple slices, jello, and canned green beans. Sounds like a seven year old picked that meal :)

She's our strong, sensitive, silly, smart girl. I give her the same advice I heard her all-knowingly tell Ammon in the shower the other night, "Be happy to be you, because you're the only one of yourself." 

And oh how I love who you are.

Lydia's Six Year Birthday Interview

1. What's your favorite song? Let it Go
2. What's your favorite thing to do with Mom? Baking with her
3. What's your favorite thing to do with Dad? Help him do the dishes
4. What's your favorite day of the week? Sunday because I can go to church and learn about Jesus
5. How old are you? seven
6. Who is your best friend? Emery and Quincy
7. What's your favorite thing to do?  Spend time with my family
8. What's your favorite color? Teal
9. What's your favorite food? macaroni and cheese
10. What do you like to do with your family? Play games
11. What's your favorite toy? My Littlest Pet Shop
12. What do you want to be when you grow up? A vet
13. What makes you happy? My family
14. What makes you sad? When someone in my family gets really sick
15. What's your favorite show to watch? Spongebob
16. What's your favorite book? Put Me in the Zoo
17. What do you like to learn about? Australia
18. Where do you like to go? Utah
19. What's the best part of your birthday? Spending time with my family
20. What's your favorite treat? Cheetos and Hershey bars
21. If you could meet someone famous who would it be? Katy Perry
22. What's your favorite movie? Minions
23. What's your favorite game to play? Chutes and Ladders
24. What sports do you like? Hockey, swimming, dancing, basketball
25. What do you like to wear? Dresses
26. Who's your favorite princess? Ana