Happy Birthday Lexi!

My bigger girl turned 7 this year. I'm writing this 6 months after the fact, but I still want to reflect on just her for a moment. Lexi, or Lexi Lou more affectionately known as, is my sweet, tender-hearted daughter. The calm after the storm, a mother's helper, fun-loving, determined, and competitive little girl. Seven years old kind of crosses a threshold of early child-hood and enters the school aged later child-hood. The novelty of life and experiences are starting to wear off a little bit. The desire for independence is developing, yet, a longing to be free of responsibility makes for a hard combination some days. She still loves to snuggle, hold hands, be silly, and would be happy to laugh all day if she could. She loves being the "big" sister, but doesn't love being the "little sister". Lexi is very smart and learning comes so easily for her. She's often the teacher's biggest asset in the classroom because she is gentle and helpful. Although she knows that the other students are struggling with something that she already knows, she's never condescending and always patient to help them. Her first grade teacher would tell the subs if they needed help with anything to just ask Lexi. She's developed some great friendships this year which has really eased the transition to Utah for her. Lexi loves fiercely. She's a sweet little girl, I'm so thrilled to call her my daughter.