Happy 7th Birthday, Daniel!

Dear Daniel,

Here I am writing your 7th Birthday letter. I'm not sure how that's even possible, but here we are. Technically, you're not officially 7 until 5:46pm but I suppose we'll still let you celebrate.

You finished your first year in school, and excelled all year long. We battled with a lot of sickness, but you did so well. At the beginning of the school year you had been pretty nervous, but you made many friends along the way.

You love learning, and like to explain everything. Sometimes it takes you a long time to get a story out because you're very methodical in how you share things.

This year, you started 1st Grade and you were excited from the very start. You love your teacher, Mrs. Lively. I was nervous because you were starting the year off with only one classmate/friend from last year. I should've known that you'd make friends the first day. You are very outgoing when it comes to making friends. You seem to fit in with just about everyone. I think that's because you are very accepting of anyone, and that makes me very proud. You don't see the differences, you just see the person. Never lose that trait.

You're so smart, but so far you haven't let that go to your head and I hope it stays that way. You know all of the first grade site words, so you moved onto the 2nd grade list. Within the next couple of weeks you mastered that last and have now moved onto 3rd grade words. Yet, according to you, you don't like to read. You are an excellent reader though, and if you would take the time you'd find your love I think.

What you really love is math and science. You didn't get that from me. You do so well and I've actually learned a lot of facts from you.

You have developed quite a passion for baseball. Particularly Cardinals baseball. This year you got to go to 5 games! Sadly, you still haven't seen a win, but we can always count on you to find all of the positive things. It hasn't gotten you down yet. Because we got you a Cardinals Kids Club membership you were able to run the bases after a game and "cut" to the front of the line which you thought was awesome! Dad and I took you to the Cardinals Kids Club party. It ended up being a total bust. Too many people and you didn't get one autograph. I think I was more upset than you because I didn't want you to be sad. Instead, you accepted it and we still had a fun day. The highlight was going to the Cardinals museum and you getting to hold game bats of Yadi and Matt Carpenter.

James is your best friend. You have many friends, but the bond with your brother is unmatched. You fight like cats and dogs multiple times a day, but you also play together, stick up for each other and share secrets.

You are truly an amazing kid inside and out. You enjoy going to church and learning about God. You share your faith and also impress me with the verses that you can so easily memorize.

My hopes and prayers for you are always that you will love God and seek Him. I think you're close to accepting Jesus into your heart. You've asked many questions, and it makes my heart happy.
I pray that you always stay close to family as your grow and know that you can come to me with anything. There is nothing that could ever change my love for you.
And I pray that you always remember to be kind to everyone and treat people with respect. If you want to be respected, you have to also show to respect to everyone you meet. Be the example.

I love you more than words can really say, but I hope that you enjoy looking back on these letters when you're grown up.

Here's to another year of fun and adventures!

Love,
Mommy