Golden 7

Our sweet and spunky Clare turned 7 last week.  

SEVEN!!!

I can distinctly remember Clare's first birthday.   

 Knowing that the next six years are likely to go by even faster than the last six...we will have a TEENAGER before we know it.

In the past week, a number of people have remarked on how seven is the "best year" or "golden age."  While every age seems to come with its own challenges and joys, we can see Clare's personality really developing into something special and beautiful.

 She continues to LOVE nature, water, animals, and being outside.
Genetics are remarkable. 

She is fearless, adventurous, spirited, and social.  She doesn't want to miss a beat.  She carefully weighs all options to ensure that she is right in the middle of the most fun.

She loves her brothers, and she ADORES Myles.  She always wants to get him out of bed in the morning, and she acts as his second mama.  However, she maintains that she is fine with just two brothers.  According to her, "that's more than enough."

She LOVES fishing...especially with Daddy (let's be honest, she's never really gone fishing with Mommy)...and especially on "the big water."

One of Clare's natural gifts is drawing.  She has an amazing eye, and she can freehand almost anything.  I love watching her in art mode.  Her focus, precision, and attention to detail tickle her first-born button.

Clare's eyes through her eyes.

She used chalk to create this Egyptian portrait.

 Clare weighed in at 53 pounds and 49.5 inches at her 7-year well visit.  She is down three teeth...although she hasn't lost any of them on her own.  This little honey has had the worst dental trauma of anyone I've ever known, and it turns out that it is likely from an adverse reaction she had to an antibiotic when she was just a baby.  Go figure.

Clare LOVES:

- Art and Gymnastics

- Swimming and Fishing

- Helping with projects

- Cotton Candy Blizzards from DQ

- Fruit...ALL kinds

- Her brothers

- Michigan

- Frozen bananas with cream

- School (at least 80% of the time)

Clare DISLIKES:

- The Dentist

- Trying new food

- Independent reading

- Natural disasters

- Wasps and bees

This is ME, Corrie, on my 7th birthday.

And this, my beautiful daughter...

I am so thankful that Clare is my daughter.  She challenges me to try new things, to love without conditions, to not take things too seriously, to laugh throughout the day, and to grow in patience, grace, and understanding.  I look forward to our years ahead, and I trust that we will continue to shape one another in beautiful ways. 
Happy 7th Birthday, Clare Bear!