Seven!

Another year has gone by in a blink - Eliza is 7 years old!  Wow, it feels pretty overwhelming for this mommy.  I love her kind, sensitive heart more with each passing day.  I love her goofy grin, her contagious laughter, and her abounding energy.  She is due for a growth spurt soon, as she's still wearing size 12 shoes (its been well over a year) and fits in many of her clothes from the past 2 years.  She is 45 inches tall and weighs about 46 pounds.  She is up to 4 lost teeth as she goes into the 2nd grade this year.  

Her favorite TV show is now Sophia the First on Disney Junior.  She is all about arts and crafts, as well as music.  She says her favorite color is "all the colors in the rainbow plus pink."  Her favorite animals are elephants and sea turtles, and she has recently said she wants to work with the sea turtles at Sea World when she grows up.  She has started getting into reading some non-fiction books, and enjoys learning about real people in history, like Amelia Earhart, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington.  

On her birthday (August 25th) Mamaloop came down to celebrate and go out to dinner with us.  Eliza was happy to open presents of course - a new red purse with seven dollars inside, a pretty heart shaped necklace...

the doll carrier she asked for for her American Girl doll.

Dom and I got her a Doodle Studio book from American Girl and a beach set.  Mom and Amanda both had bought her what she picked out at the American Girl store in Columbus a couple weeks ago, so she has got quite a nice collection for her doll now - though her wishlist continues to grow.

Then for dinner she picked Buffalo Wild Wings.  I was a little sad she didn't keep on with the Olive Garden tradition, but it's where she wanted to go.  She had a burger and fries, and they sang and gave her a giant piece of chocolate cake with ice cream as well.

Then last night she got to celebrate with 3 of her closest friends from school.  It was her first Sleepover Party!

They played and played together, then we had pizza and snacks.  We all sang Happy Birthday and Eliza blew out the candles on her little cupcake cake.

Lalaloopsy

Eliza hugging Ashlynn after the nice card she had made for her.

Fancy Nancy gift set

Alina made a card too - and included an American Girl gift card

The girls had fun playing some more after Eliza opened gifts, then it was time for a movie and bed.  They watched Rise of the Guardians, and were all set up to sleep in the living room on mattresses and couches since we have hardwood floors.  I heard them in there giggling until around 11:00.

Ashlynn, Eliza, Alina, and Lauren

The next morning they had breakfast and played some more.  Their parents picked them up around lunch time, and I was ready for a nap!