An Open Letter to my Daughter on Her Seventh birthday
Following on the tradition, this is an open letter to my daughter, Elsie, on your seventh birthday.
I can’t believe we have had seven whole years of you – where has that time gone?
This time last year I shared my open letter on your sixth birthday.
What are you like right now?
You make us laugh every single day – you love telling jokes and your comic timing is spot on.
You are still fiercely independent and much like your mammy, you’re very much a chatterbox especially at bedtime!
You are still extremely curious you want to know what makes things work and you often ask us why?
Your confidence is growing and you’re starting to chat and interact with people you don’t know very well more.
That independent streak is as strong as ever within you – you’re definitely strong willed and know your own mind.
You are extremely caring – you offer hugs when people feel sad and you are very good at sharing toys and food.
You care about animals and the environment and get cross when you see litter just like I did when I was your age.
You think it’s important that people recycle and put rubbish in the bin. You’ve been enjoying the new food waste bin that’s a new addition to our home and feeding it fruit and leftovers.
I love sitting in the back of the car with you when daddy is driving and playing eye spy and eating all the sncaks.
And I love driving just you and I in the car, picking songs to play on Spotify and singing along with you to your favourites.
From the day you were born you have been such a daddy’s girl and you still definitely favour daddy but I’m glad that lately I do get much more of a look in which is good.
What do you love right now?
You absolutely love to watch Waffle the Wonderdog, Bluey and Topsy and Tim.
You love singing along to songs in the car on the way to and from school which is the highlight of my working day.
Being helpful is something you are really good at and you help me with the dishes and laundry and daddy with the gardening and hoovering.
Your favourite days of the week are Monday’s because you go to Rainbows, Thursday’s because you do claymaking at school and your friend Heidi also goes to your childminder’s that night, Friday’s because you do Creative Kitchen cooking class and of course weekends.
Monday’s are also a good day because it means you get to play on the airgym and the tyres at school which you really enjoy.
Drawing and colouring can keep you busy for ages whether at home or at your childminder’s.
On a weekend or during the holidays you like to come into our bed for a cuddle before picking a Tonie to listen to while you draw, colour or write a story in your bedroom promising you’ll tidy it all up later.
You enjoy channeling your inner Wallace and making inventions and creations with recycling.
We love displaying your beautiful pictures in the kitchen.
You still love to play outside with your friends in the street and help daddy to cut the grass (when it’s dry enough!).
Going for walks while you ride on your scooter or bike is something we try to do at weekends.
There’s a swing on the estate that you love to visit.
Ice lollies are still one of your favourite desserts but you are enjoying ice cream more now too.
You are still a snackaholic fruit and sweets being your favourite and you’ve crowned me the Queen of Snacks as I make the best snacks apparently!
And you love playing in a park!
You also enjoy going to fairgrounds and going on the rides.
And you still love the beach and getting wet.
Milestones this past year
You are settled into your routine of school, childminder’s and clubs.
You are about to start your third year in school and you’re excited to move into the juniors – a new teacher, a new yard and lots more adventures.
You still really enjoy going to school, learning, creating things out of recycling, painting, drawing, reading and playing.
I can’t wait to see all the clay creations you’re working on when you bring them home and on Friday’s seeing what delicious treat you’ve made.
Your handwriting is getting better and better every day and your confidence in phonics is also continually growing.
And your expression and confidence when it comes to reading out loud is growing every day.
You have so much fun at your childminder’s house after school and enjoy regular swimming lessons, Creative Kitchen cooking lessons and Rainbows.
You’ve managed so well since no longer having in-soles in your shoes.
Your confidence when it comes to heights and climbing is still growing.
You can still be shy but you’re coming out of your shell more and more.
Sometimes you even read outloud in front of everyonme at church and sometimes you’d rather carry the book or the board – either way you make us proud.
My hopes for this year
I hope you enjoy your last few weeks at school before the summer holidays and then back to school for Year 3.
I hope you have a fun-filled summer holidays with lots of fun days out and visiting both sets of grandparents for sleepovers.
We have our first holiday abroad to look forward to this summer – so you’re first time at an airport, flying and staying in a hotel for longer than one night!
I’m hoping that you settle into Year 3 and if you have a new teacher that you like them even half as much as you love your current teacher.
I hope you are happy and healthy and continue to challenge yourself.
You are just an absolute joy and you really light up our lives and we know we are so incredibly lucky to be your parents.
You are so loved little girl.
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