Seven is Magic

That's the name of a reader I remember from early grade school. And it's a good description of how I feel about Anna, who turned seven today.

Anna is eminantly snuggleable, frequently hilarious and occasionally a handful, usually happy, selectively helpful, often exuberant, sometimes willful, generally affectionate and exceptionally loveable. And she's not so little anymore.

Anna woke early today to celebrate -- she knows birthday gifts are always on the kitchen table first thing in the morning -- but first she came into my room and snuggled happily with me, listening as I retold the story of the day she was born. How beautiful she was, not smushed and funny looking like most newborns, and how tiny! I could hold her head in my cupped hand and her body was just long enough to nestle on my forearm inside the elbow.

Anna loves to hear how tiny she was.

When we were done snuggling, she waited again without complaint for Katie to shower. And then Dad. Then she came down the front stairs, I suppose to avoid peaking, and didn't come in until I called everyone down to see her open her presents. What new restraint is this?!

Anna was pleased with the simple gifts she received: a box of Barbie band-aids and two fairy books complete with fluffy pen from Katie, a new Book of Mormon with picture stickers to add to the pages from her grandparents, some candy for the movie theater tonight, a box each of Cookie Crisp and Ritz Bitz, and the promise of a surprise gift from Nana and Papa after school.

She liked the little Target birthday cake for breakfast, too. Of course I gave her the piece with the most frosting. I am not sure about her, but the rest of us left most of it on our plates.

In lieu of a party with friends Anna said she wanted a family sleepover at the Hilton at Southlake Town Center. (Her first choice was the Great Wolf Lodge but we said it cost too much and Dad got sick in the swirling slide). So I'm not sure if it's the pool or the concierge lounge -"snack room" that is the greater draw? But today after school we'll go swim, walk to dinner and the movies, swim again in the morning and call it a birthday.

And I bet you five dollars she'll mention her next one before we get home.