Seven

Seven years ago, Pumpkin made her earthly debut approximately 21 minutes after I was admitted to the hospital, and this Battle Born baby has been doing things on her terms ever since.

The girl loves a good argument, and she doesn’t back down. (This will serve her well in the long term, but can sometimes be exhausting for her parents. And little sister.)

She has truly grown so much this year. She had a few struggles at the beginning of the school year (she struggles with change and likes to test limits). Fortuitously, she won free Tae Kwon Do lessons at a fall festival, and she embraced it. Her studio emphasizes character, and showing up every day, and much of her growth – IMO – can be attributed to her wanting to succeed in the dojo.

She also had a great year academically. She loves to read and is constantly writing things down, making lists, and writing notes for friends and family. She still loves comic books, but she also is really into musicals, and lately American history – specifically the American Revolution – really captured her attention.

She is really funny and loves to pull pranks, but she’s also very caring and always draws pictures or leaves notes for her friends and teachers, and for all of us at home. We sure do love her a lot!

Here is her annual birthday questionnaire:

Q: What makes you happy?
A: Getting to watch TV.

Q: What is your favorite animal?
A: Lion.

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Cheeseburger.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?
A: See my friends and teacher.

Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: Power Rangers Super Dino Charge.

Q: What is your best sport?
A: Baseball.

Q: Favorite movie?
A: Hercules and Sandlot.

Q: Favorite color?
A: Blueberry. (Yes, this was her answer.)

Q: What is your favorite song?
A: America from Sandlot (Ray Charles’ America the Beautiful.)

Q: What do you like to do with mom?
A: Read books together.

Q: What do you like to do with dad?
A: Go watch Star Wars movies.

Q: Where is your favorite place to go?
A: To baseball games.

Q: What is your favorite book?
A: Who Was Alexander Hamilton.

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: A Dbacks or Dodgers baseball player.

Q: What do you like to do with Peanut?
A: Play in the play room.

See how Pumpkin answered these same questions when she turned Six, Five, Four and Three.