Our little girl turned seven today, which seems nearly impossible! Instead of having a big party she requested a smaller celebration. Tomorrow she gets a "girl's day" with just one friend, ending in a slumber party. Oh, and getting to watch me and four of my friends jump of a cliff (paragliding!).

But today it was just us, both sets of grandparents and Lane and Cheyenne. The kids made a cake and specially decorated a birthday table for her. They each made her a card. Cheyenne even inserted three of her very own dollars.

We got her mostly clothing essentials. Mason's gift was a bit more complicated: A few weeks ago Kenzie and I were shopping at Fred Meyer. We passed the clearance section where she spotted fly paper (sticky posters) with cats on it. She doesn't usually pine for things at a store, but she really wanted this. I said, "Kenz, oh, I'm glad you spotted that. My friend at work has been looking for that for her little girl. I should buy it for her." She thought it odd, but didn't push me on it. Of course it wasn't true, but it was the only sure way to get a present that she would really like...for two bucks. I bought it and gave it to Mason. He wrapped it and handed it to his sister. As she opened it she had utter joy, followed by a pause, followed by an inquisitive look that pondered if her mother might not always tell the truth.