Eleanor turned seven this week. I have always regarded Eleanor as being the oldest of my three babies. I've been able to maintain that illusion for several years now, but with a seven year-old who is almost done with first grade, I have to finally admit that my babies are growing up.
Eleanor, of course, is thrilled to have made it to the ripe old age of seven and is excited to have only one more year until she can be baptized. She has been looking forward to this birthday for months and has been excitedly counting down the days as part of her math lessons for the last month.
Brandon and I broke our family ban on birthday parties for Eleanor this year. She has found a best friend here at post, and when we found out that her friend's birthday was the day before Eleanor's, a combined birthday party was planned. We're good friends with the family, so everyone was happy to have an excuse to get together anyway.
As birthday parties go, it was extremely low key. I had Kathleen and Sophia blow up a few balloons and make a sign, but otherwise it was pretty much the exact same thing as having friends over on a Saturday afternoon. Eleanor and her friend were happy to be sung to, blow out candles, and open some presents before going back to playing. I was happy to have my commitment limited to making a cake and ordering pizza.
Eleanor is generally a happy, cheerful, helpful child. She loves to draw and loves to draw horses most of all, leaving her creations scattered through the house. Her favorite day of the week is Friday, as it is the day that she gets to ride, and all her favorite toys are horses. I sometimes joke that Eleanor is my reward for not having killed her two older rambunctious, mischievous brothers. She has the unenviable position of being stuck between two older and one younger brother and usually takes their torments without too much trouble. When my older girls have grown up and left me, I'll be happy to have Eleanor to keep me company.
We are all happy to have Eleanor as part of our crazy family. Happy Birthday, Eleanor!