Never to be Seven Again

Yesterday, she turned to me, and in her most serious tone, broke the news.

"Mommy, today is my last day to be seven."

And so it was. Today, Dumpling celebrated her birthday with a small party full of other homeschooled friends. She wanted, "traditional," so...

There was the warm up game that helped to break the ice between lots of little girls who didn't know one another. I made Fifi play. She giggled and scoffed a little, but in the end will probably find work as a party planner because my friends all wish they had one. A Fifi, that is.

And then it was time for a funny game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey. This is Dumpling under the gaudy hat, blindfold, lemur and pink poodle.

Go ahead, girls! Be as competitive as you want to be. Be as capable as anyone in the room. Be as careful as you can with your aim. Go ahead, 'cause I'm gonna spin you 'round and 'round so that nothing can help you now! Mua ha ha ha ha. This girl is a good sport--and very bright! I'm pretty sure she's going to go on to find a cure for cancer, so I can't wait until she grows up.

Then a favorite from my own childhood; we just call it The Balloon Game. Oh, how I loved that long dress, and absolutely adored those shoes--they had little pastel embroidered flowers on the leather toe straps. Somewhere along the line, I became a fashion follower and lost the ability to just buy what I liked, but not when I was seven...or eight.

But, on to today's game...don't let 'em pop your balloon, girls!

Oh the giggling! It was a hit.

The Lord has blessed my sweetie with many darling little girl friends, and they all came to celebrate today. We are thankful for them, and for her.

Happy birthday, Dumpling! You have yet to bloom into the fullness of what you will become, but take your time--we are delighting in watching the process.