J + J: This is 7

As of Thursday, July 23, Isabelle is now 7 years old!

Bio

Isabelle is bubbly, astute and gorgeous. In her pediatrician's words: "she has enchanting eyes." Isabelle is left handed like her dad. Something you might not know about her... She told her school teachers last school year that she preferred to be called Isabelle. At home she likes being called Izzy. We'll see what she does this school year. Isabelle plays the violin and has been taking lessons for over a year now. She is confident. Isabelle is starting choir now that she is old enough. She will be in the same choir I was in growing up--the Riverton children's choir. She has a beautiful voice. Isabelle is trying basketball for the first time later this fall. Isabelle has lots of admirers and has been the only girl invited to a boy's party. She is very bright. She qualified for the gifted and talented program but opted to learn Chinese instead. We were told at conferences that she is one of the best/the best at Chinese in her grade.

We had a birthday dinner celebration for Isabelle at my parent's house on Sunday, July 19. Isabelle chose dinner: poppyseed chicken and rice, rolls, strawberries, and Pavlova with whipped cream and fruit for dessert.

My family knows Isabelle well. These were things people shared at the dinner table that we love about Isabelle.

"She's good at everything she tries: dance, violin, singing, soccer, swim team."

"She didn't complain on a recent challenging hike to the timpanogas caves. She lead the pack." (We later learned her shoes were too small and that her toes hurt the whole way down. She didn't mention it until that evening when she was going to bed. She also had bloody ears from bad earrings and didn't say a word.)

"She can eat a lot of ice cream."

"She is friends with everyone and makes sure they feel included, welcome, and loved."

"Isabelle is helpful."

"Isabelle is hardworking."

"She makes great silly faces."

"She is a wonderful big sister and has been antsy for Penelope to move into her room "(which happened this week).

Birthday requests:

-Waffles for breakfast

-Watch the movie, "Wicked"

-Have Tonyburgers for dinner WITH a shake. Isabelle was over the moon because Nana (and other family could join). Nana was supposed to be in Cape Cod on Izzy's birthday. Here is Isabelle's Tonyburgers order: a kids meal hamburger with pickles and cheese on it, Root Beer, onion straws, and a Cookies and Cream Shake.

-Go to Classic Skating. Roller skating is tough. The kids switched to scooters pretty quickly. Getting a picture where both children were standing/stable was taxing. Isabelle wasn't sure if she wanted to do Laser Tag but in the end enjoyed it.

-Funfetti Cake. Let's be real. She hardly ate any after her shake and all the other stuff which shows her birthday was a win!

Birthday presents:

I like to remember what my kids are interested in at certain ages which is why I keep track of gifts. This is not to guilt trip anyone. Isabelle is adored and felt the love.

-From us: shorts to wear under dresses, a swimsuit coverup, a Lilo and Stitch outfit, fake nails. The nails lasted less than 1 hour which must a be a record. I probably should have actually glued them.

-Art supplies. Izzy wants to be an artist. A sketchpad, watercolors, a book that she illustrates the pictures, special tape.

-Snow White dress up shoes, "Unicorn Academy" books, hoop earrings, makeup, and a squishy dumpling (I learned 2 stores were sold out of these and a third store had to be visited). Isabelle has loved testing the makeup, especially the eye shadow with vibrant colors.

-A polaroid camera! This camera has been around Izzy's neck nonstop and she has taken oodles of photos.

-A water bottle, book, candy, bracelets, animal crackers.

-Sketchbooks with an art kit.

Birthday sleepover:

Izzy got to have a sleepover at Nana and Papa's house. They went to Panda Express, got chocolate covered strawberries from Zupas, painted nails, watched a movie, and had bagels for breakfast. Talk about a good time.