happy birthday #7, sweet Maria Ann!

Oh my goodness, I love this girl of seven…SEVEN!?  (Yes, it is necessary for  me to freak out each year.  It's what mommies do.)

to my sweet birthday girl 

:: You are a peaceful soul.  You are content to work/play quietly on your own.  If Camilly is needing to hug you and apologize and is refusing (which happens often), you are quick to offer her the hug and tell us 'it's ok, I know she's sorry'.  melt.

:: You are one of the most considerate people I know.  It's mind boggling to both Dada and I just how thoughtful you are.  One evening, I spilled hot soup on my lap.  You immediately hopped up from the table, grabbed a rag and an ice pack and delivered both to me.  You're always performing little acts of kindness.

:: Although you originally wanted another cheesecake for your birthday, you changed your mind when you discovered that your friends didn't care for last year's cheese cake.  I mentioned that your cake should be what you wanted.  Your reply was 'that's what birthdays are all about - your friends'.  I have so much to learn from you.

:: Speaking of birthday cake, you decided upon a green Easter egg shaped cake.  I was happy to discover (as were you!) key lime pie cake batter.  We topped it with Buttercream frosting and loaded it up with decorative icing and left-over Easter candy!  You thought it was heavenly.  And no surprises this year, you were totally hands on and did most of the mixing and decorating yourself!

:: I still marvel over the love and adoration you have for your sisters.  You (almost) always run to their aid, (almost) always request that they are included, and still giggle and chat for forever with Camilly at bedtime.  

:: You live and breathe and love the outdoors in your very core.  You're never happier than when set free to wander and discover outside - catching minnows, lizards, or silkworms... collecting flowers, seeds, and sticks… basking in the sun.

:: You are an environmentalist, collecting trash during walks to and from school, grumbling about how rude and awful people are who throw their trash in the street.  It's almost comical.

:: You still take forever to make decisions on things, often opting to let Camille or Dada or I choose for you.  And you generally go along with our choice.

:: This year you chose to have your best bud, Alex come over for the day instead of having a party.

:: Your super special lovies are Rainbow, Silkie, and Lacey.  You place them at the living room window each morning so they can watch and wait for you to return from school.  You still miss having Tigge around.  (He was lost at school after hanging out of your backpack -so he could see- for weeks.)

:: You still love to read (your favorite series is Magic Treehouse), but drawing is your truest passion.  You are an amazing artist.  Last Sunday at Mass, the lady sitting next to us commented 3 times over the face you were drawing during the homily.  After Mass, she even said she looked forward to buying your art someday.  I hope you always seek after and succeed at this dream and passion of yours.

:: Your favorite color is still pink (although cerulean is the color you use and request by name the most often ;D).  Your favorite food is still macaroni and cheese.  Your favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip (or mint with Oreos when at Dairy Queen).  You still look forward to Friday pizza/movie night, but added to that is also Wednesday Family Night.  You often comment about how much you love these two nights.

:: You will always be my little blowing flower, my dreamer and lover of beauty… my beautiful oldest daughter, Maria.  I love you, sweet girl.