This is Seven.

stories and snippets from the frontlines of age seven.

Child 1 (girl 2014-15)

She has this curious inclination and ability to read upside down. Yes. On the couch, in a chair, on a swing, anywhere. She is aggressively noncommittal about doing so. It is fascinating and commonplace. For now, for how long? 20140723

Little joys, like reading outside on a blanket on a warm spring afternoon. 20150430

Pushes her little brother’s buttons, a.k.a. teases relentlessly. Relentlessly? Perhaps not accurate: there are many periods of calm, of joy, of symbiotic play and engagement. But she is horrified (my word, not hers) at the idea that one of us (or anybody) might be watching and catch her enjoying herself too much with him.

Chalk drawing outside in driveway.
Learning clever little math tricks and puzzles with her Uncle Jonny.

Child 2 (boy 2017-18)

I love his love of the Bible currently. Specifically, the Old Testament / Daniel / Psalms. He was reading it aloud a few days ago. “Isn’t it so cool, it’s like poetry, and how people spoke back then!” And…his grandma bought him a ram’s horn. He has been practicing. On the front porch. 20171006

Child 3 (2023-24)

An interesting stage currently of being concerned with us leaving a room - such as me stepping out to help his younger brother in the bathroom. Our oldest son went through a similar phase around this age too. Trying to be patient and empathetic and understanding. Sometimes more successfully than others. June 2024

Weaving. Weaving weaving weaving. Up before 7am consistently to bring his designs to life, most of the time accompanied by his younger brother, who is not quite as autonomous, but also fully into it. July 2024

Loves having me read Ramona books aloud to him and his brother. Loves having Becca read Series of Unfortunate Events books aloud to him and his brother (current: Carnivorous Carnival). August 2024

So many LEGOs. So much LEGO-building. All throughout the day. Messy, chaotic…but love. Designed super-cool Captain America-inspired logo for himself out of bricks. 20240830

LEGO building; some of the coolest creations from his imagination, or inspired from scenes or characters from Wild Kratts or other PBS Kids shows. Looking for bugs, praying mantises, crickets, and snakes outside with his younger bro. Some emotional highs and lows, and navigating new social ecosystems taking first classes with others (Dance, Nature Notebooks in 2nd grade). Killer smile of mystery; wicked funny sense of humor getting honed sharper every day. Still doesn’t enjoy reading on his own as much I thought (yet), but doing really well reading. Loves drawing and creating all manner of different characters. September 2024

Some out-of-nowhere emotional…rollercoasters, including a few days ago during a class, when I stepped out for a high school consult - he knew I was doing so and was fine with it - when one of the teachers came down and said he was having a tough time. I returned and he was fighting back tears; we stepped to the hall where he broke down sobbing and said it’s because he “…needed cold water” and couldn’t find his water bottle. He insisted he was fine with me being gone, that it nothing except needing…cold water. He’s held to that line. The same thing happened in Dance several weeks ago. He insists it’s only about the water. Trying to understand and be empathetic. Reminder: keep water bottle accessible at all times? October 9, 2024