Seven.

Dear Claire,

You turned seven at the end of November, but due to that bump you are leaning against, your birthday letter didn't get written on time. The longer dad and I have known you the more we understand why you were first. You are a rule follower, a good role model, a soft spoken teacher. You are not demanding with your little brother and sister, but usually gently guide them to making good decisions, sharing with each other and helping mom and dad. Overheard: when you were trying to convince Kennedy that she knows something that she had forgotten, "Kennedy, just keep thinking, you may be little, but you have a big brain." Not to say that you are against using less subtle techniques from time to time as well. You are good at the whine, my girl, really good. Your flaws make you real though, so we embrace that part of you too.

Claire are a sunshiny girl. You notice the little magical things in life. You point out delicate cocoons on trees, gather colorful leaves into bouquets, follow butterflies and love any creature God has created. You catch frogs, lizards, bugs and anything you can get your hands on. You have no fear about creepy crawly things, which is one of the things your dad adores about you.

I love that you still are enamored with art. I think your creativity is incredible and it amazes me how you mind can take colors, shapes and patterns and make such lovely designs out of them. I have binders full of your artwork and try every few months to condense your art into just one binder, but I really struggle to say good-bye to each stage of your talent. I love to see your trajectory and how quickly you improve and learn new things.

You love school and learning. You are very diligent and mindful of "the rules". Your teacher, Ms. Carronna, loves you too. Again, you are a quiet leader at school, but are typically found doing what is asked of you and leading by example. You are reading and writing well and love Junie B. Jones books this year.

You take piano and golf and we are establishing some really good habits on how to work hard to learn new skills. Where practice was hard and required a lot of cajoling, both positive and negative, at the beginning of the year, you now practice when asked and really enjoy seeing your progress.

For a girl who hated to snuggle as a baby, you have become a snuggly little thing. You like to be by my side and listen to adults talk. When we are aware you are listening and when we are not. You remember our words, our stories and the nuanaced way we talk about things. In this way, I think you are a lot like me that this age. I loved eavesdropping and getting a glimpse of a non-child world, too. Like you, I'd keep quiet when adults talked and listen as long as I could until I was tossed out of the room. We toss you out too when we find you listening in, but you always come back to me with questions about what we were talking about and nothing is missed on you.

I find you magical, Claire, I check on you each night before I go to bed and fall in love with you all over again. I'm glad you were my first and know that you were meant to teach me how to be a mother.

Love,

Mom

And from Dad:

My dear Claire,

Thanksgiving day was my first introduction to you. For the rest of my life here and forever, I will be grateful for your birth on that day and on every day. Watching you grow over the last seven years have been one of the best experiences of my life. I am so proud of the little girl and big sister that you are. I love you with all that I am and know that your Heavenly Father loves you perfectly as well.

Your gift to me is the opportunity that I have had to watch you grow and learn. You take your responsibility of being a big sister very seriously. Kennedy and David watch you and follow your example. I have seen the joy in your eyes as you help others.  Continue to be mindful of others around you and help them to achieve their potential and dreams.

When I see your curiosity, I see myself in you. I love that in addition to your feminine side, you are also a little tom-girl—ready to stare down a snake, trap a lizard or catch a dragon fly. Your life brings me excitement, love, joy and peace.

I promise to you to do all that I can to help you grow up to be a confident, fulfilled young lady. A lady ready to face the world and all of its challenges and adventures.

Get ready Claire, it is going to be a great adventure!

Love,

Dad