Happy Birthday Madison!

Happy Birthday Madison!! My Dad always tells me that he doesn't really feel older on his birthday but always feels older on mine since I'm his first kid. I totally get that now! I can't believe this girl is 7!! She amazes me every day with the incredible, smart, caring, spiritual person she's becoming. I'm so glad she came to our family and made me a Mom!!

- 41.7 lbs and 47 inches tall. Wearing size 12/13 shoes and size 6 clothes
- Still our smart cookie! She can read 100+ page chapter books in a single sitting and loves learning about new things at school! She has struggled a bit this year with math, but I actually think it's good for her to struggle and have to really work at something. We've had a lot of talks about your best being good enough and about not giving up!
- While she definitely can have some attitude at home, she's generally very sweet, thoughtful and kind. She gets along well with everyone and I always get lots of compliments from her teachers at church and school about how good she is.
- She's a rule follower to a T. At school, if there's ever a kid misbehaving, her teacher always moves him/her to sit next to Madison because Madison follows every rule to the letter. Her soccer coach always used her as an example when teaching new skills because she did exactly what he told her to do. We loved watching her dribble the soccer ball because she's so slow since she's concentrating so hard to do it just like he taught her :) It's a very endearing quality and one I hope she keeps forever!
- She's a spiritual giant! She loves church and has a strong testimony. She set a goal for herself to read the entire Book of Mormon before she turns 8
- She has a really silly side and likes to pretend to be different animals or talk like a baby. I think she only does this at home so we're the only ones who see this side of her
- Loves music and is constantly making up new songs to sing. She even wrote a lullaby for Dirk.
- She's a fantastic big sister!! She's always wonderful with Reagan and Dirk! Her and McKinley struggle a little bit, partly because they're so close in age and fight over toys, etc., and partly because they're not ... sometimes Madison wants to be by herself doing her own thing, which is understandable, but McKinley wants to be constantly playing with her. But most of the time they're inseparable when Madison is home and love being together! Madison would do anything for her siblings!
- She's still very sensitive and cries a lot. It's something she's aware of and has been working to control a little better. She gets her feelings hurt easily and usually thinks she's dying when she gets the smallest scrape! She also gets scared easily. We try to be as understanding as we can about things like this, but sometimes she also gets her sisters worked up over nothing, which can be frustrating! She can also get very angry if she feels like something is unfair, especially as it relates to her. We're working with her on healthy ways to express and control her anger
- She's gotten more into fashion and style recently and likes to plan out her outfits and discuss different hairdos with me
- She's very observant and notices everything, from certain rocks on the ground to my mood in a given moment
- She's started to pull attitude when we ask her to do chores or help out around the house. Typical kid stuff. She gets all huffy and stands with her arms folded and one leg out. It's so teenage drama queen and makes me laugh every time she does it! Then I tell her to get over herself and get to work :)
- Her favorite things to do are read, play outside, write or sing

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ACCORDING TO MADISON – AGE 7
1. What is your favorite color? Hot Pink (she’s always liked pink but now we’re getting into specific shades of pink!)
2. What is your favorite toy? Draw Like a Pro
3. What is your favorite fruit? Bananas*
4. What is your favorite tv show? Moana

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? PB&J Sandwich*
6. What is your favorite outfit? Supergirl Dress
7. What is your favorite game? Skip-Bo
8. What is your favorite snack? Chips
9. What is your favorite animal? Monkey, flamingo* and dolphin
10. What is your favorite song? I Am A Child of God*
11. What is your favorite book? The Monster at the End of This Book* and The Book With No Pictures

12. Who is your best friend? Eliana, Ivy*, Ryland and Sam

13. What is your favorite cereal? Kix, Rice Krispies and Rice Chex
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play at the park
15. What is your favorite drink? Gatorade and lemonade
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and my Birthday*
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? All my stuffed animals, my blankie and a book
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Sticky Buns*
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A cheerleader*
* indicates the same answer as last year

The sun was in her face so she didn't want to look at me, but I think she looks so beautiful in this picture!

 Squinty face!

I totally just noticed the extra hand in this picture haha! Looks like someone was hiding behind big sister

Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that she's as old as she is ... I still just see my little preemie! But when I look at her in these pictures, she's seriously getting so grown up I can't believe it!

Her birthday outfit

Passing out donuts at school

She felt pretty cool :)