My 7 year old!

My sweet little Grafton has turned into a 7 year old big girl! How did that happen so quickly?! Every year, as each child has a birthday, I recap their day of birth so many years ago. The kids love hearing the story about the day they were born, and they love looking at pictures from their first few days and weeks of life. I remember each moment as if it were yesterday. It seems nearly impossible that it was so many years ago. Grafton is such a special story- from the super long labor, to the NICU experience, to our rough first few days as new parents. That first child always holds a special place- one filled with trial and error, first time moments, and silly mistakes. She will always be our number one, and her story will always amaze me.

Grafton has had such a fun year....she had a great time in Kindergarten and grew some precious new friendships. She got better at soccer and started taking gymnastics. She became such a little dolphin in the swimming pool and continues to love the beach more than any other child we have. The beach is definitely her happy place. She has new favorite foods- and at the top are shrimp, calamari, strawberries, yogurt, soup, and pizza. She still has an enormous sweet tooth but has not developed a taste for chocolate yet. How does a girl not like chocolate?! She went to Disney World, rode in a plane for the first time, took her first train ride, and went to the beach a couple times.  She has a current obsession with snakes and dragons and has begged me for a real snake for months! She is extremely artistic, she likes to read, she is smart, and her confidence is astounding. I thank God so often for her confidence and independence....I feel like that isn't something that is taught, but it's something that she was born with. I pray that as she gets older and faces the drama that little girls go through, that she will be able to hold on to that confidence and not let any pettiness get to her. My heart would break to see that positive spirit fall. She is such a blessing.

We've had a blast celebrating her today! From birthday donuts for breakfast, to McDonalds for lunch, to Taylor Grocery for dinner- this girl has called all the shots today and she has taken full advantage! Please join me in praying for our sweet Grafton this year- that it is full of love and peace, that she gains more knowledge and trust in the Lord, and that her heart only grows in love and kindness. I pray that this year is just amazing for her.  Happy Birthday, Grafton Girl! You are the best!

Chuck E Cheese it is...

It's time to celebrate GRAFTON! Ever since GG and Pop took the kids to Chuck E Cheese this summer, Grafton has been wanting to have her birthday party there. Of course there isn't one in Oxford...the closest one is an hour away. I have been less than thrilled about the selection, but Grafton has been looking forward to this day for months! She invited 4 girls and 3 boys from her class, plus her precious friend Eliza, to make the trip to Tupelo for her birthday.  My dear friend Shelly came to help, and Amy brought her whole family (SIX kids!!!) to celebrate sweet G!  Grafton wanted to invite her whole grade, but there are only so many seats in the car!!

Let me tell you- these kids had an absolute blast! We drove everyone over, with the help of DeeDee and Mike, and started the party at 5:00. They played games, ate pizza, watched Chuck E Cheese do a show and dance, then played some more! I had to nearly drag them out of that place at 7:00!! I think they would have stayed all night. It was fun watching their excited faces and silly expressions. James may have had the most fun out of anyone- he thought it was AWESOME!

The most fun for me was watching Grafton feel special and loved. She had a wonderful time, played and played and played, and felt like the center of attention on her special day. It was definitely a successful party!