Today is a big and wonderful and magical day because Sweetly Six becomes Suddenly Seven. I know that every single parent says this and few (if any) parents believe it when a child is born (I know I didn’t!), but time goes sooooooooo faaaaaast. Stunning, mind boggling and completely utterly excited are the words that come to mind to describe the feelings. I can’t believe that when I started writing the blog, she was 4 3/4. Perhaps this is part of the reason why her new name is “Suddenly Seven.”
Every year, the night before her birthday, we put a whole bunch of helium balloons in her room so that she wakes up with a wonderful surprise (which isn’t really a surprise anymore), ready to celebrate (as if she needed a reason!).
In the morning, like clockwork, we hear the early morning rumblings of the birthday girl overcome with joy from seeing the balloons. She brings the balloons into our room, at which time we sing “Happy Birthday.” Beaming, she always inevitably says, “This is the best day of my life!” which is the ultimate Silver Lining.
This year’s birthday celebration was at The Santa Barbara Rock Gym. If you happen to live in/around Santa Barbara, be sure to check it out. It is the PERFECT place for a party. No fuss. No muss. And the Silver Lining: LOTS of physical activity for the kids!
Getting her harness on.
The Climb.
Every night before Suddenly Seven goes to bed, she asks me to rock her (which is a good workout these days) and say the lines from our favorite book, I’ll Love you Forever:
I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
As long as I’m living
my baby you’ll be.
Happy Birthday, Baby Girl. I love you so very much.
Happy Birthday to SS! What a fun day. I love rock climbing and I think it's a great tool for building trust and problem solving skills. And it's so much fun. I'm glad she liked it. Now I'm thinking of her new birthday names like Sue Grafton mysteries. Q is for….?
You're so right, Victoria!
Ha! Ha! about Sue Grafton. Very funny.
"Q" would have to be for "Quick" and certainly NOT "Quiet". 🙂
A happy, happy, HAPPY birthday to Miss Suddenly Seven! Such an important age, my goodness! I remember turning seven and asking my parents (1) if I could take the bus by myself, I wanted to go shopping (yes, I was a shoe shopping girl even then) and (2) exactly when could I start driving? Wishing Suddenly Seven a most happy day, filled with hugs, love and laughter, cake and lots and lots of balloons!
Thanks so much, E.B. Yes indeed, 7 ushers in a whole new era. I'm savoring as much of the little girl as much as I am now embracing the big girl. It's all so magical! Thank you, again!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to SS!! What a wonderful celebration!
Thank you, Carolee!
My dear, your space here, is my very favorite blog find from ALT! In every post you radiate love and precious spirit! Congratulations on your beautiful 'suddenly seven'!
Thank you so very much, Tamera. It means the absolute world to me! Best wishes. Hollye
Joyeux Anniversaire Mademoiselle Soudainement Sept!
Je vous souhaite une merveilleuse journée!
bisous
Merci, beaucoup!
To darling Suddenly 7:
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
Dr.Seuss- Happy Birthday to You.
May you have a crazy FUN day!
Besos de canela, anis y nuez. (xxx)
Isa
Beautiful, Isa. Thank you so much!
Wishing Suddenly Seven a birthday filled with much love, magic and joy. Love, Beth and Richard
Thanks dear Beth! Miss you guys!!!
Sending love to Finley and her wonderful parents!
Thank you dear Nora!
My daughter also turned 7 this last month, and it is still hard to believe how time goes fast. I love the idea of the balloons, will try to remember to do it next time. For sure is magical to wake up with a room full of balloons!
Oh how wonderful, Dani! Thanks for sharing!