A bit more... ALL THE THINGS!

I said, "Hey pretty lady, can you step outside so that I can snap a couple pictures of you, to capture what SEVEN looks like on you?" She obliged. Though I am not sure I knew what I was asking for, because 7 seems to come with a bit more sass, a bit more accessorizing, a bit more 'I think this looks good in my head, but Mom's face is saying stop looking like that,' a few more opinions on EVERYTHING, and a bit more trying to be a lady more than a little girl.

Oh, HEAVENS!

However, there was still plenty of little-girl-silliness to keep me from losing my mind!

Sweetheart Girl Magics

I'm sitting in my most favorite spot in the house (which in itself is a feat, for this house and its inhabitants have not stopped doing all the things for months... EWWW) watching my girl frolicking in the back yard. Sure, Dad is there and her brother is around somewhere, but she is deep into an imaginary place where no one else was invited. I sit here thinking, once again, how I wish I could be like her when I grow up! I know I have said this before, but she is pretty near the coolest being in all the lands! Though, to agree with this statement, you would have to be a lover of quirky little people. I will set more of the current scene for you: the guys are outside with the tractor and burnable things attempting to make the fire-of-all-fires and she is prancing. Prancing around the fire pit, prancing around the tractor and trees... and air. She has adorned herself in a rainbow striped dress with a butterfly printed jacket, cowgirl boots, self-straightened hair (sidenote: oh ma' people, this is a giant NO-FACTOR that I can. not. get her to understand! I do not want to crush her spirit, and I am willing to let her out in just about anything, but self-straightened hair... EWWWW!), a red ribbon tied on the top of her head with a yellow-striped headband, and what-for-my-wondering-eyes-should-appear!? but a purple and silver beaded amulet for flare! (World... you are so very welcome!)

As she is doing her awkward, yet signature, skip-gallop-jump movement while singing what is likely a narration of the goings-on in her mind, the only flash back to reality is the occasional passerby in the park that must be greeted with full introductions. Likely there was a not-so-subtle mention of a recent birthday, where Little Miss may have turned seven... Yay! SEVEN!

I am not dealing! Not. doing. any. dealing. with this situation. She is about to leave me and I know it. It is happening. Hold me!

I know that birthdays are meant to be joyously happy occasions, and I get that. I am happy watching her be OVER-THE-WHOLE-MOON that it is her birthday. But there is a rather loud, and likely verging on obnoxious part of me that is not jumping for joy each time I have to acknowledge that my baby is not a baby anymore!

This year's celebration was a bit different, because I happened to be up in Chicago driving a robot with a bunch of high schoolers. However, seeing as MAK believes herself to be a part of the robot team, she was just as thrilled to spend her special day with a bunch of high school teenagers in an arena of racing robots. My family surprised her and met us in The Big City for an overnight stay in a hotel and dinner at the Rainforest Cafe.

Fear not, she was one of the 46,000 other birthday's being celebrated that night with a VAAAAAALCANOOOO cake!!

The blurriness corrects itself after a little minute...

The "experience" birthday celebration was a smashing success that ran late into the night (our spawn cannot sleep in the same bed without giggling for hours until finally a parent has to separate the slap-happy-over-tired little people for the betterment of the whole). Don't worry, they were up by 6:15 and ready for waffles!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart girl of mine! I love you infinity!

Dance Camp

Our girl believes in miracles, this is no secret. Our girl believes she can be a dancer. Our girl believes in miracles. We decided to sign up for Dance Camp at the high school–you know, before spending exorbitant amounts of money on dance lessons when we are not sure of the extent of her roots/dedication she has for the dance. Three practices, a t-shirt, and a performance at the high school football game. What is not to love!? She spent hours in preparation talking about the aforementioned "dance camp," and there was almost a need for a paper-chain countdown. There was an abundance of time spent on outfit planning... and I have NEVER seen her eat dinners so fast!

So... the first night of practice, she questioned the coaches as to their reasoning for the actual "routine." I mean, she does have some sweet original moves, and our little free-spirit thought "freestyle" alone would be appropriate. (This is a large part of why we have yet to invest in "the dance").

Here is the final product:

Concentration-face... 

"I'm like so good at this, I practically own this dance..."

"Wait up, guys!" 

"I said, 'wait up'!"

"I got filthy rolling around on this turf."

"Seriously, I can not continue until this stuff is off me! Who's with me?  ... Oh... no one..."

Salute or "turn up the beat"!?

"I just can't anymore! I'm just going to levitate here! ... Marionette... GO!

"I AM FILTHY!"

I think she is spent!

NAILED IT!

Now, very seriously, run off the field.

More comfortable with the free-styling.  

Thank you, Miss Maria! You made this a lovely memory for our girl!

In the Presence of Celebrities!

Every year MAK's heart surgeon and his posse throw a picnic for their patients, new and old. This year it was on a Saturday, which made it possible for us to attend.

I may or may not have wept tears behind my sunglasses. 

This man was a regular celebrity amongst the attendees, as he rightly should be. In reality, not a one of us would question automatic sainthood (if that is a thing, Lord, I nominate... HIM). We watched as he slowly made his way through the line that formed immediately upon his arrival... each time reaching to hold the children–big, small, infant... 6-year-old beauty–and he would look at each of them with the most genuine of loves and awe at the gifts that children are. It is as if he doesn't quite grasp that each of those hundreds of children were running around, some with feeding tubes still in their noses, because of him! He is a treasured gift!

Speaking of treasures, this is MAK's cardiologist whom we L.O.V.E. LOVE! MAK is giddy on the days we get to go visit him. He looks out for her, researches her, is about to make her 'famous' again (or at least her EEGs). He makes her smile and laugh, feel comfortable, special, and beautiful, safe and brave. I mean for reals, he is the bestest EVER!

And this, my people, is what a Pediatric Heart Institute picnic looks like... BOOM!

So serious...

Apparently this is MAK's version of what a ninja looks like after the Ninja Heart Obstacle Course.

MAK is teaching the girls her original steps, her brother is having nothing of it... Clearly!

His picnic loot!

What a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL day! We'll be back next year! (not sure if that is a threat or a promise!)