Elise turns 7!

The transition from 6 to 7 has been a year of growth for Elise in so many positive ways.

With all the activity, adventures and change over the last year, I had THOUGHT I was not shooting as much. My new job doesn't leave much time for me to focus with my camera these days. In truth, narrowing to my top pics of Little Miss as we celebrate her 7th birthday was an exercise in compromise. There is just so much to celebrate of her and these pics help capture a lot of that for me.

Her year started with a rained out birthday party that got moved to the garage, but the event was super fun as she celebrated with many friends. From there the year evolved with epic adventures marking her time. Just a few of the memories shared below: 

• Cottage adventures 
• Field trip - Howard Christensen Nature Center 
• Art Prize 
• Thanksgiving, Ithaca 
• Visiting my parents during a work trip, Fort Myers, FL 
• Spring break, Ithaca 
• Great Wolf Lodge, Canada 
• New Years, Nashville
• Mom and Me Camp, Newaygo 
• Disney World, FL
• Summer adventures with Daddy, Ludington, Grand Haven and Holland
• More cottage adventures
• Great Wolf Lodge, Traverse City (Today)

Elise is truly learning the value of experiences and seeing the world.

I find that the best way to capture her personality as of late is to take a series of photographs, moments apart. Her emotions are intense, they swing, and her facial expressions and general enthusiasm are her trademark. And her wit! The observations that this kid makes is so funny. She has the timing and delivery of sitcom star.

Elise is part land mammal and part fish. She spends hours at the cottage swimming and playing on the beach. When we travel to a local with a pool, she rarely leaves the water. Her latest tricks are underwater handstands and continuous underwater somersaults. She still doesn't love tubing though.

We became a "trampoline family" and it is now the fulcrum of the neighborhood for anyone 9 and under. I promise, we will never get a minivan. This is as far as I slip into suburban stereotypes. Thanks to a former neighbor who gifted it to us (shout out Kristi and Carl), this kid spends the conclusion of most days bouncing out her final bit of energy before bed.

This montage may single handedly explain why Elise is the "spirit animal" of many of the over 35 set in our circle. (She clearly needs to work on her relationships with anyone between the ages of 10-34). The kid is zany. Her imagination is always on overdrive. One night before bed, she declares the next day as Western Day.  The next, we're living out some adventure where she's a Ninja and we're...also ninjas. I mean, she's running a high school homecoming week spirit campaign in our own house. Her own unique style is something we encourage and rarely cringe at. So if you see us show up in a "costume" to your next gathering, just go with it.

Highlights of our adventures are captured above. Mom and me was so awesome. Ithaca was gorges. And Disney was epic (until my mom fell and it wasn't as epic, unless you consider unlimited fastpasses worth the ambulance ride.) Most of the time she's an explorer. But she also has a healthy dose of skepticism. She won't jump right in unless it's at her own pace and something that she feels comfortable with. Thankfully her natural curiosity and love of people pulls her out of her shell, though we've recently realized she's an introvert. After a few hours of fun, she likes to either unplug on her own or return to her ever-expanding village of stuffies for a some lone imaginary play.

Elise is a friend to everyone. This is what her 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Koch tells us. If someone needs a partner or someone to stick up for them, the Little Mother steps in to make sure their voice is heard. We're proud of that. She also is a true animal lover, both stuffed and living. If she' not loving on an animal, she's holding a stuffed one. Maybe we have a vet on our hands? 

Ryan and Elise's relationship has continued to evolve. Much like most brothers and sisters, there are fights and the normal injustices. But there is also times when the two of them are so sweet with one another. Elise looks to Ryan for encouragement, especially with sports as well as for reassurance when they're at school together. This was their second year as book buddies on Friday's at school.

We spent a lot of time with family this year and are so glad to get to do so in some very exciting places. Nashville, Florida, Ithaca....Our kids are very fortunate to be loved so well by so many.

When I think about Elise, these are the things that come to mind:

• Knows that she has gifts and sometimes likes to share them with just our family (i.e. soccer)...she literally told me this the other day
• Perceptive, sensitive, fiery
• Sees things others don’t and is always looking to make a connection
• Has a voice and is not afraid to use it
• Is deeply artistic and this extends beyond her mad drawing skills

We wanted to raise a girl who knew herself well and I think we're on our way. Pictured above is my flub on he first day having her hold Ryan's sign (ironic since I just said she knows herself well.) Also, one of our favorite adventures was collecting beach glass with Grandma at Sheldrake!

Elise had some major milestones before turning 7. Among them, she:

• lost her first two teeth (bottoms)
• removed her own training wheels
• mastered riding a two wheeler in less than 5 minutes
• became an Uno card shark and can legitimately beat any adult
• learned to be a Gaga ball ninja
• stayed at Camp Newaygo and we had a cabin to ourselves!
• has her first best friend that is a girl
• wears ponytails. What's next? A bun?

A few snaps from one of Elise's field trips. I love the Howard Christensen Nature Center field trip, so much so that we brought Max and Ryan back with us for a scavenger hunt adventure too. I also love seeing her with a camera. She's a great photographer!

Elise, we're so grateful for you. Your spunk, your perspective and your joy make every day so much better. Happy 7th birthday baby girl.