A Celebration of Seven

Kenna and Michal turned seven, yes seven!, while we were in Arizona. We celebrated and celebrated and celebrated with grandparents and cousins and uncles. We ate cake and cupcakes and ice cream. But Eric and I hadn't given the girls their birthday present from us so today we took them to American Girl Place for another birthday celebration.

When we got to the store we told them that their birthday present from us was that they could each choose any one doll in the store.

They were ecstatic!

They spent about 30 minutes looking in the glass cases, reading the dolls stories, looking at their many outfits and admiring their endless accessories.

Finally, Kenna reached down on the shelf and said, "This one!" as she lifted Kaya, a native American doll from 1774 off the shelf. As soon as Michal saw what she had picked, she picked the same thing too.

Once they had chosen they were absolutely resolute about their decision. I offered that they could look more if they wanted to, or that they could change their mind, but they were both thrilled with their choice.

With their new dolls in enormous red bags, we headed upstairs to get their ears pieced -- the dolls, not Kenna and Michal's -- although I know they both would have traded in their new dolls -- and just about anything else -- to get their own ears pierced.

Next it was off to the Cafe for afternoon tea. The girls each got a pink, sparkly birthday crown and so did their dolls.

The girls had hot cocoa and could not believe that every time they drank some of it the waiter magically appeared and filled their cup right back up!

We ate scones and tea sandwiches and then they brought a cake with candles and peppermint ice cream for the girls. I think the highlight for them was when all the waiters and waitresses gathered around and sang, "Happy Birthday."

I still can't believe that my little girls are seven.

Seven and sassy.

In a good way.

In an amazing, funny, heart-warming way.