While we're on the subject...

Let's stick with the theme of children I love dearly. This one had a birthday a few days ago. (Pardon the choice of pictures, sometimes I get an itch to get close up. Really close up.)

She's gotten her fair share of bad press over the years. My labor and first ten months with her were a dream. But at ten months old, she let me know that all that was too good to be true when she had an allergic reaction to amoxocillin that turned her into the loud, demanding child she is today. But we can take all that because she is so, so much more than that. Here are my two favorite Lily qualities:

1. Her imagination. This kid is never, ever bored. I try not to bemoan the fact that her "adventures" usually mean getting out every single toy and clothing item we own, sometimes involve dead (or living, but disgusting) creatures, and almost always result in wearing holes in her jeans (anybody want to play horsey?). She is a brilliant, creative child with potential to do great things in life. While wearing jeans with cute patches in the knees.

2. A positive attitude. Lily can always find the silver lining. Perhaps her most uttered phrase is, "but it's okay, because..." This trait makes it difficult to discipline her because she can always find something good about missing out on dessert for Family Home Evening, or being consigned to her room, or missing out on an allowance. But what a gift - to always see the glass as half full.

Here's how her birthday played out. Peanut butter cookies for her class, at her request. Really, she was considering Jack, a classmate whose recent blood test indicated he no longer has a peanut allergy. So party on!

Swimming lessons after school, where she discovered that they have a birthday box of goodies - bonus.

We all met Dad at Outback for dinner. She ordered a grilled cheese sandwich, of course, and ate so much she couldn't stomach more than one or two bites of the dessert they brought to the table. Unprecedented, I tell you.



The cake was lost on her that night. But we still sang, blew out candles, and opened presents. They were all a hit. She thanked us profusely. I love this child.



For her chosen birthday outing, we went ice skating as a family.

Lily you are absolutely wonderful. Happy seventh birthday!