The Things a 7 Year Old Can Do...

Today, Madelyn turned 7 years old. Wow. 7 years old. I can hardly believe it. It makes me thing back on so much that has changed over the years. The things that she couldn't do before and now can do. The so many ways she has grown, and learned so much, and how her personality has continued to form. So, in honor of Princess Madelyn turning 7 years old, I thought was a great time to reflect on the things a 7 year old can do...

A 7 year old can write her own name... beautifully. With scrolly decor, and clean perfectly crafted letters.

A 7 year old can read so many words, and put them together into short sentences.

A 7 year old can spell. She can sound out words. Easy words like walk, cat, car, how, love. Hard words like glass, wonderful, birthday, shelf, letters, catch, when, who, what.

A 7 year old can give herself a shower, being sure to shampoo and conditioner her hair, wash her entire body - head to toe, and still make a little time to play.

A 7 year old can teach me how to play the Wii, can remind me the fun of doing a puzzle, or playing a good old fashion game of Twister, or Monopoly, or Trouble.

And a 7 year old can remind me that it's okay to lose at a game, and it's okay to be happy when you win.

A 7 year old can brush her own teeth for 2 minutes... yet still spend 1 minute and 30 seconds spitting rather than brushing!

A 7 year old can remind me what it was like to play with Barbies and Dolls and use your imagination to make it fill hours of fun. And yet, still manage to be "bored" with a plethora of games and options before her.

And speaking of imagination... A 7 year old can be so smart and inquisitive, and yet be okay with knowing nothing at all sometimes.

A 7 year old can be so excited about what we'd consider the little things... spending the afternoon at the park, getting a goodie from the impulsive checkout section of the grocery store, getting an ice cream on a hot afternoon, getting to go play with her friends, or cousins (human and animal).

A 7 year old can make my day start with a huge smile when she calls to say have a good day at work, and make it end with the same smile when she tells me how was her day at school.

A 7 year old can make my heart hurt when she's not feeling well, or says that she misses me.

A 7 year old can drive me crazy when she asks something for the 5th time in the span of an hour.

A 7 year old can be wise enough to not talk to strangers, and still innocent enough to want to help a person who seems to be in need.

A 7 year old can be glued to the TV, while asking "what are we going to do today?".

A 7 year old is willing to try new things - food, places, people, and yet still say she doesn't like something without ever making an effort.

A 7 year old can be almost as tall as me, and almost wearing the same size shoe, and all too eager to point this out at every opportunity.

A 7 year old can already be finding some of my bad habits... like shopping, and jewelry, and wanting new things.

A 7 year old can be old enough to have a "boyfriend", and young enough to think he has cooties.

A 7 year old can be mature enough to understand that people are less fortunate than we, and still be naive to the advantages we have in this world.

A 7 year old can be content with her friends, and still be courageous enough to make new ones.

But most importantly, a 7 year old can feel joy about the great memories she's had in all her 7 years - filled with fun and excitement, surrounded by family and friends who love her. And still, be filled with enthusiasm and anticipation for the future, and the possibilities that are endless for her - an intelligent, beautiful, sharp, compassionate, amazing big girl!