Leah is 7!

Our sweet girl turned 7 today!   Leah's birthday was extra special as we woke up to find out that we had a snow day... without snow!   School was cancelled (due to cold temperatures and some freezing ice in distant parts of the county), and Leah was excited to be home.  For the second year in a row, Leah chose not to have a big "friend party", and instead wanted to celebrate her special day with her cousins at "Cousins Christmas" in Williamsburg (pics to be posted soon) and with a "Leah Day" earlier this week.  "Leah Day" consisted of outings to Build-a-Bear and Chuck E. Cheese's, and Leah chose a special lunch.  It was a great way to end Winter Break and do some of our birthday girl's favorite things!  

Both kids chose a Squirtle (Pokemon character) at Build-A-Bear.

Cleaning her Squirtle.

Putting on Squirtle's new outfit.

Big Brother makes out pretty well on Leah Day, too!

Leah requested an "Emoji-themed" birthday.  My children have inherited my love of themes, and enjoy choosing a theme each year.  Our new 7-year old started her day by receiving a few Emoji trinkets and prizes, and we held her family party over Daddy's lunch break:

 I asked L&L to smile for a picture together, and the next few photos perfectly capture life with these two goofballs: 

Attempting a "normal" picture, while I am warning, "Luke, don't squeeze her too tightly"...

Simultaneously giving each other Bunny Ears (and not telling each other)....

Luke causing Leah dissolve into giggles.  She's his best audience, and still thinks that he hung the moon.

Of course Leah chose to open the present that Luke gave her first.  It was the new DogMan book, and is a favorite series in our house right now:

There were many presents, some sweet snuggles, and several priceless reactions to her gifts:

I love Luke's expression!

Someone was SO excited to receive her "very own" drone from Grandpa!

Pool Ball, just like at Mimi's house!

If I could freeze a moment in time from today, I'd want it to be the image captured in the next two pictures.  Nothing is sweeter than my precious pink baby girl in her bunny slippers, opening birthday gifts, with her furry sister at her feet.  These photos are bittersweet for me, and I am thankful that Winnie was able to find joy in Leah's birthday today, as she "helped" with the tissue paper and was a part of our family celebration.  

This afternoon, we went to the movie theater with friends, and saw "The Star".  We met Daddy after work for dinner at Rio Grande, which was Leah's choice, as she remembered that patrons celebrating birthdays receive a special serenade, complete with drums, a giant sombrero, and Mexican fried ice cream.  Afterward, we went home for birthday cake and family games ("Two desserts, Mommy?!", my children asked, wide-eyed, not quite believing their luck).  

The grand finale of Leah's birthday will take place tomorrow, when we'll take cupcakes in for her class.  Her teacher has been wonderful about making a big deal about students' birthdays, and Leah is looking forward to having a special celebration at school with her friends:

Sweet Leah, you are the definition of joy.  The world is a brighter place because you were born, and the past 7 years have been filled with incredible love and light because of you.  You bring sweetness, kindness, and immeasurable love to everyone who knows you, and you are a blessing to all of us.  Daddy, Luke, Winnie, and I were given an extraordinary, precious gift when God chose you to be in our family, and we adore and treasure each day with you.  Happy 7th Birthday, Peanut!  We love you so much!