eloise {seven years}

{seven years} Oh, this girl. We are SO lucky to have her. And she’s growing up so much! With her big kid front teeth and stick-on earrings. Some days it’s hard not to think she’s an adult. She’s wise beyond her years. Eloise is a rule follower (and expects you to be too), a bit of a perfectionist, and a voracious reader. She loves to wear twirly dresses with jewelry and can’t wait for us to let her get her ears pierced. This girl is THE hardest worker and spent an entire Sunday a few weeks ago selling flowers (and bouquets) to neighbors, raising $250 that she donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

In August, 2020, right after she turned six, Eloise started getting her bottom 6 year molars. They came in without much fuss right behind her crowned molars.

Eloise’s sixth year was such a strange one, with the on-going pandemic and the addition of Fitz to the family. But she showed up for school each day, both remote and in-person, and is the sweetest big sister to Fitzgerald! She doesn’t remember when Daphne was born (she was only 2.5) but this girl was really meant to be a big sister. She loves Fitz in such an endearing way and really cares for him, reading the AAP book (written by pediatricians) to learn about his growth and development, and stacking cups for him endlessly.

School this year was, different. It was fully remote to start which was expected, and Aaron helped guide her using Teams and her assigned iPad each morning for her school meetings. Things felt chaotic all the time, especially at first as Fitz was born just three weeks into the school year. But we found our groove with Daphne sitting in on morning meetings and setting reminders for Eloise to join in on her math and reading (small) groups. She learned all about crows this year along with her classmates and continued to excel as one of the top readers in her class. This kid devours books. There was much more independent learning available to fill the school day (than teacher-guided), and Eloise took charge of that. She learned how to dictate text (for Siri on the iPad to type for her) and watch YouTube videos from the school library.

Throughout the winter we remained quarantined, only seeing neighbors or friends outside from 6 feet away. Luckily Eloise and Daphne continued to be the best of friends. While they fight like cats and dogs, they also play so, so well together and it’s wonderful to see what a special relationship they have.

By the spring, there was talk of a hybrid approach to elementary school as vaccines became more widely available. Aaron and I weren’t sure at first, but once teachers had priority on vaccines, we felt ready (as ready as we would ever be) to send her. Also, by that point, she was really longing for more social interaction beyond just our family. In April, she was able to attend “half days” for four weekday mornings with Wednesday being a remote/iPad day. Even though the “half day” was from 8 am to 10:45 am and not much learning could happen, it was wonderful to see her SO excited to go to school to see her teachers and classmates.

Summer started and we immediately started our kitchen remodel, moving us out of our living room and kitchen. Eloise has been really excited about this project too and a trooper in all of the chaos it has created. If she isn’t reading (either a book or on her Kindle) she is creating something. Art is pretty much her jam and she would do it all day, every day. We haven’t been comfortable starting any real activities again, but Eloise did two separate weeks of bike camp (along with Daphne). Eloise didn’t really like bike camp, it turns out, but she was a pretty good sport and ended up finishing out both weeks of camp! [And I had to promise her I would never sign her up for bike camp again. Ha!]

Birthday Interview. {I am hoping to do this interview every year to see how the answers change!}

What is your name? Eloise Grace Lower.
How old are you? I’m 7!
What is your favorite thing to do? Read.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A veterinarian.
What is your favorite food? Macaroni and cheese. It’s actually cake!
Who do you like to spend your time with? My family.
What do you do really well? Read.
What makes you laugh? Umm, my brother talking gibberish.
What is the best time of day? After lunch. Because I get to read.
What are you afraid of? Monsters.
Who is your best friend? Isla (a friend from school).
What do you like to do with your family? Play Clue. Family movie night.
What do you love to learn about? Science.
Where do you like to go? Woodinville.* Boise. Indiana. And I want to go to the North Pole to see Santa Claus!
What is your favorite book? Unicorn Academy, Addy (the American Girl), The Boxcar Children.
If you had one wish, what would it be? I would wish everything! (I asked her what that means.) A fairy godmother.

*We are currently staying at an Airbnb in Woodinville while our house is being painted (at least the stinky paint). While driving in the car out here, Eloise kept saying “It’s SO beautiful out here!”

And the newest rendition of Things Eloise Says: (though I have not been good at keeping track of these!)

I’m not complaining, I’m venting. There’s a difference.

Eloise’s teacher asked her in class what made her awesome: I have a red hot mama! [Aaron always tells the girls this, but it makes me so embarrassed!]

Watching the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders: Why are they just wearing their underpants?

During a class meeting and sharing a rose (a high): My rose is that the Super Bowl is this weekend. I want the Chiefs to win because Tom Brady is a cheater!

Will time work differently when we go to the cabin? [She was asking about whether there would be a time change.]

{weight} 48ish pounds; 4 feet

{hair} brown.

{teeth} 20 teeth plus four molars.

{eyes} dark brown.

{clothes}  6 or 6X, 7.

{See her grow up: birth story // one year // two years // three years // four years // five years // six years}

Happy, Happy Birthday, Kiddo!

M