And Then She Was Seven

(Just catching up on some posts I've had sitting in my "drafts" folder. I often find myself starting a post way too late at night, and shortly into it realize that I'm simply too tired to finish it... or to make it clever or funny or remotely interesting for people to read! Suddenly, 3 months have passed and it's still staring at me from "drafts." I'm determined to hit "post" on this one tonight!)

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In November, Dora and Boots helped us celebrate Rylee's birthday!

Family members did well choosing gifts --

Rylee's V. Reader (electronic toy by V.Tech), is a favorite now...

and, as you know from this post, you can't go wrong with a baby doll that crawls right to ya!



There were smiles and posing (and secret licks of the frosting on the edge of the cake during photos.)



Candles were blown out...



And then she was seven.

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This part alternately titled: "Four Friends.. and a Little Brother"

Turning seven calls for more than just a family celebration, so Rylee invited 4 girlfriends from 1st grade to join her at the Dance Studio (where she takes Adaptive Dance) for a "Friend Party!"

The girls (and little brother) twirled and leapt and spun and hopped and twirled some more... and with the help of Miss Meghan, they learned a little choreographed routine to a cute song from the movie The Princess and the Frog.

Then, the girls dressed up for their "final performance." And though their dresses were all the same, they all showed off their individuality -- socks or no socks, pants or no pants, tiara or no tiara.

And after the final bow, the dresses and butterfly wings were carefully hung back on their hangers... and the girls (and little brother) dashed into the other room where balloons and cake and ice cream and presents waited.

The girls (and little brother) sang "Happy Birthday," off key and with an additional verse that I never knew existed.

Candles were blown out...

And then she was seven.