You’d think that with this being the 7th time I’m experiencing this I would have it down by now. You’d also think that with her reminding me of the count down every day for the past two weeks that I’d have it down by now. Neither would be true. Katie will be turning into 7 next week. Every year it sneaks up on me.

She’s the child who shares her birthday with Craig, who couldn’t care less about his birthday except for the fact that he shares it with Katie, which redeems it for him. In terms of a January-December calendar year, they go first in our family. In terms of the order of birthday season, though, they go last. Birthday season kicks off in August each year. From there we have a birthday (in our immediate family) in August, October, November, December, and finally February. When you consider that the three major holiday players are also thrown into that batch, it’s easier to see how after the first week of January we sigh deeply and think we’re done.

Not so much.

I never know what to get this one. She’s number three so we’ve pretty much got it already. We’re only about five weeks out from Christmas by the time her birthday gets here so there’s nothing much she needs. And yet here we are. Birthday looming, mother unprepared.

I have no idea why I let this happen every single year but I do. I may have to quickly start back up a sewing stretch for this. She could use some new clothes and I’ve been meaning to make her a personalized pillow case.

Regardless of what we come up with, it’s fun to see “Sassy” girl become more of a little girl and less of a baby girl. She’s silly and sensitive and sweet. And in just ten days she will be seven.

Time to start thinking about it now, don’t you think?