When E entered Kindergarten, all my friends that are parents of school-aged kids said the same thing: "Hang on, if you thought time moved fast before, you ain't seen nothing yet."

They were right. We are two years into the school years and I swear I just dropped her off for her first day of kindergarten. I feel like I'll blink and she'll be driving...

Ok, that's terrifying. Moving on.

This year has been all about E and her independence. She can do pretty much everything on her own now. Last year I saw a lot of this, but the fact of the matter was, she was still too short to reach some things or just didn't have an interest. Now she's gotten (a lot) taller and everything that she can do independently, she does. I swear she'd cook if I let her...

Wait. Why haven't I let her??? This is why we have kids, right?

It's a mixture of pride and heartache to see her grow up. To be honest, I don't necessarily miss the baby days but I do feel like I'm in this little bubble of time where it's perfect and I want to squeeze and hold onto it forever, but we all know what happens to a bubble that's squeezed.

Right now we have two young kids, but they are old enough to be independent, yet young enough to still love us unconditionally and think we're the funniest people in the world and want to spend time with us. I know what's coming, I know what's just on the outside of this bubble. (And I also know a lot of parents of preteens and teenagers and I'm aware that it's not all bad. But you understand what I'm saying--different challenges!)

However, I will say, with Elena's eye rolls, I've been given a preview of those years already. Lord, grant me strength, patience, and a strong tongue...because I imagine I'll be biting it a lot.

The moment I knew things were changing happened one day after B and I walked E to school. We always cross the last street together and then she typically runs off, turning around a bit down the block to waive and then runs into the school. And then one day...

She just kept running.

She didn't turn around, she just took off and ran into the building, out of my sight. As hard as that was, I was also very proud. This is what I want for her: the confidence to go out into the world and make her own way. Yes, she still needs me--but she's learning to rely on herself. And that's really an incredible thing to witness.

As we close out six, here are some of my favorite quotes from her over the past year.

Astute Observations

After asking me a question:
Me: “Hmm, I’m not sure.”
Her: “Google is the best place to find answers, you know. Just go to google.”

"Sometimes trailers are better than the movies. They make the movie look good, even if it's boring."

"Someone made this shoe in CHINA! Isn't that AMAZING?!"

"Adele is is the perfect music for a sunset."

"Shoes are so cool. We put them on so our feet don't have to walk on the hot ground."

E's soccer team wore the blue side of their jerseys for first five weeks of the soccer season...and "lost" every game. I say "lost" because they don't keep score, but...it was pretty obvious. However, E thought it was all going to change because on week six, they had to wear the white side of their uniforms. E, very excitedly said, "Oh, we're wearing white? Yes!!! The white team always scores a lot and wins!"

Life wIth A Brother

"I can't wait until we're adults & we don't argue anymore." Lamenting her current relationship with her brother.

"All the girls in my class always say that B is so cute whenever they see him. I don't get it but whatever."

"It's a hard life living with such a mischievous little brother."

Joking Around

B: "I wonder if Copper's favorite song is Blank Space by Taylor Swift?"
E, without missing a beat and straight-faced: "No, his favorite song is 'Who Let the Dogs Out.'"

Life Lessons

After beating her in tic-tac-toe E started to cry. First, we talked about being a good sport. Then she looked at me, all teary-eyed and said, "But I'm just a kid!"

While watching "The Force Awakens" and seeing Kylo Ren destroy the room after Rey escaped E said, "That's not how we solve problems."

"I want to travel around the world. Except for the deserts. I don't want to get sunburned, I have to take care of my skin!"

Food Talk

While unwrapping a cheese stick she said, "I'm totally a chef, right? This is what chefs do."

I made eggs with cheese for dinner one evening and E said, "Mommy! Thank you SO MUCH for the cheese omelet. You are SUCH a good chef."

E recently told me the harrowing story of how she once got a burnt fry but she didn't eat it because she didn't want to die.

"These fries are too French. You know, too potato."

Smarty Pants

The kids were playing with Legos and I noticed that a lot were dying. I asked them if maybe they could play something where they don't die. E turned to B and said, "Ok. They don't die, mommy doesn't like that. So we'll say that they just stop living."

I once tried to get her to wear an old coat of mine. I mean look at it. It is pure 80s amazingness--the arms even unzip and it becomes a VEST. Anyway, E had no interest in trying it on and once I actually got it on her, I saw this face and heard this reaction, "I would like to donate this please."

First grade was her first BIG project year, too. She made a paper doll display for the Imagination Fair. She did this completely on her own.

She's an avid reader and reads everywhere and anywhere. She reads to herself or for an audience (her brother being her favorite). She takes after her momma and I couldn't be more proud.

And her birthday survey.

Age: 7
Favorite Color: Purple
Best Friend: Kylie
Favorite Snack/Treat: Rice Krispy Bar
What do you want to be when you grow up: An art teacher
Favorite Song: “How Far I'll Go” from Moana
Favorite TV Show: Elena of Avalor (shocking)
Favorite Movie: Moana
Favorite thing to do with family: Watch Fireworks
Favorite Book: Ivy & Bean series
Favorite food for breakfast: Waffles
Favorite food for lunch: Taco Salad
Favorite food for dinner: Tacos
Most important thing learned so far: Telling Time
Favorite Toy: Fantasia (stuffed unicorn)
Are you afraid of anything: Nightmares
Favorite thing to do outside: Monkey Bars
Favorite place to visit: Florida
Mom's favorite thing to do with you: Watch you in gymnastics or being fearless at the park!
Dad's favorite thing to do with you: Read!
What is one thing you want for your birthday: Moana doll
How are you celebrating your birthday this year: Birthday party with friends; then the MOA and the Crayola experience; and then out to dinner and frozen yogurt.

Keep running out into that world, E. Even if you don't look back, know that I'm always there.

xo Sara

P.S. HERE'S what I wrote to her last year. And HERE'S her brother's birthday post.