Elsa is SEVEN!

Well. The final months of Elsa's seventh year certainly didn't happen the way anyone expected. To be fair, life seldom works out the way we think it will, but that has never been more true than this year. One unexpected gift of quarantine is that we have really been able to observe first-hand how much Elsa (and Lena and Erik, too) has grown.

Physically, she has definitely experienced a growth spurt, evident by both clothing that is suddenly too short and all the "happy plates" she leaves in her wake at mealtimes. Academically, those short chapter books she was just starting to read solo last year can be devoured in an evening or two, so thank goodness she received some longer books for her birthday...which she has already nearly finished. As her honorary homeschool teacher this spring, I have also seen what she is capable of in other subjects as well, and I am confident that she will be just fine in second grade. Her curiosity and creativity have certainly been on display these past months, and I am grateful that we have had the time for those big ideas to blossom.

Socially and emotionally, Elsa is becoming increasingly better at regulating her feelings, and she continues to be a devoted friend. She also continues to be a great big sister. Thankfully, the girls have done so well at playing together before, but especially during, quarantine, which is good since Lena desperately tries to keep up with Elsa. And even though he smells bad and drools a lot, it's obvious that Elsa loves her baby brother very much.

It's no secret that we love birthdays over here, so I was a little worried about how Elsa would accept all the necessary changes to her birthday celebration. She was definitely thinking about it for some time, and although she was initially worried about having a birthday during quarantine, she got excited about all the new ways to mark the occasion. Most of our family's traditions stayed the same anyway, so it wasn't as though everything had to change.

The birthday girl mixed things up this year, and requested a chocolate cake, which she and Lena helped bake the day prior. Lena was so excited to be a birthday helper that she woke up early on the big day--these girls evidently have very strong internal alarm clocks--so she could be the first to give Elsa her birthday present. I should say the rest of her birthday present because Lena also had the idea to surprise Elsa the night before with a special bubble bath in the upstairs whirlpool tub. That gift was certainly much more exciting than the socks, underwear, and book we gave her, but I know she would be disappointed if we didn't deliver.

Since Elsa's birthday fell on Mother's Day again this year, the girls also presented me with an amazing homemade book--authored by Elsa and illustrated by Lena--entitled The Night Before Mother's Day. Elsa also shared her birthday breakfast with me...which I'm pretty sure was just a ploy to request scrambled eggs and waffles.

That sheep is getting a lot of work this year!

Due to the early wake-up, we had time to do the requisite sheep photoshoot before taking a walk and participating in "Zoom church." Then it was time to get ready for Elsa's "party." We couldn't decide if we wanted to do a walk/bike/drive-by party or a virtual Zoom party...so we did both. For a little over an hour, we soaked up all the Vitamin D we could and greeted the friends and neighbors who stopped by to spread birthday cheer. Thanks to everyone who came by to make the birthday girl feel special.

We had some time before the zooming began, so Elsa got to open the awesome gifts sent from family. You all did an excellent job choosing gifts as nearly everything has already been read, worn, or crafted. Thank you!

No raining on this girl's parade!

We moved back inside for part two of the birthday festivities. While strange, it was so nice to celebrate with friends and family through the computer. Honestly, we don't get to see family in person on birthdays anyway, so that was kind of a bonus. I do wish, however, that we could have shared some cake with our guests...it was maybe a bit on the rude side to have everyone sing "Happy Birthday" and then eat cake in front of them. Next year we'll have to serve double dessert to make up for it.

Speaking of food, the birthday girl requested Chinese--specifically duck--for dinner. Our plan of riding bikes down to pick it up was foiled slightly, but it all worked out in the end because Elsa was able to enjoy her final birthday gift while Erik and I drove to a different, farther location to get the food. When we returned, there were Elsa and Lena, swinging from a ninja line, complete with ladder, rings, and rope. Be on the look-out for their appearance on American Ninja Warrior in about 10-15 years.

So, it was not a typical birthday, but definitely one that Elsa will never forget. I think she felt special, and I know that she didn't want it to end. Happy (Quarantine) Birthday, Elsa!