Seven

Do you remember when you were 7? I remember bits and pieces. I remember being a Brownie, my first grade teacher, riding my bike, roller skating, sleepovers, my first home perm with my best friend and our moms, swimming and gymnastics. Lots of gymnastics. Oh the early 80's were so awesome. 


Rick and I have had our share of hard times as parents from 7 years ago until now, with both kids creating typical challenges and their own unique challenges. Raising our kids has been so rewarding and our hearts are filled. With joy and terror. 


But I have to say, 7 is a really fun age. Loudoun is so fun to be around these days. Almost all days, which is the key part. The good days are more normal than the challenging days, like they can be with toddlers. 


As I type this, my 3 1/2 year old is crying in the hallway because.....I don't know why. 


Anyways. 


I once asked my mom what her favorite child raising age was between my sister and I, and her reply was "7-12." And I can see how that would be true. We've entered that time frame and Loudoun is a little man. 


He loves school. He always has, but now he's liking specific subjects as favorites. MATH!
He tells jokes. FUNNY ones. 
He cleans up after himself. 
He gets so excited to ride his bike in the street or around the block with his friends. Such independence!
He loves to create his own art projects. 
He loves playing with all of the neighbor kids. 
He's learning to bargain and reason. 
And save his money. 
He watches out for his sister in a more responsible way. 
He cuddles on the couch and shares about his day. 
He likes to make us breakfast in bed. 
He cries at the drop of a hat when his heart hurts. 
He can pogo 400 times in a row, and bounces all over the driveway in the afternoons. (thank you Bryce and Jamie!)
He likes real movies (not just cartoons!) like Beethoven and Start Little. 
He sleeps in.
He uses an alarm to get up for school. A Spongebob one. Adorable. 
He loves his Mama. 
He looks up to his Daddy. 
And vice versa. 
He still crawls into our bed in the middle of most nights. 
Which defeats the point of the alarm clock. 
But we get to snuggle. And that is my favorite. 
When he has a bad day he expresses it and when he has a good day he bounces off the wall with excitement and energy. 

This balance of new independence but still pure innocence is so refreshing to witness. It melts my heart. Rick and I are so eager to provide opportunities for him to grow and learn, but are so excited that he still wants to be a kid. 


Can I just hold onto this for awhile? Ya know, like until I give the green light for him to grow up? 


I am so proud of the little guy he has become.