Dear Sage at 7yrs 3 months |

Dear Sage at 7yrs 3 months

by elizabeth on July 24, 2019

Sage, I need to start by saying, if you ever end up reading these… the lag in posts has nothing to do with how much I love you but everything to do with life being full and busy. I am spending more time caring for you and little Cedar (and now baby Shiloh) than in front of my computer, which is usually a good thing… except when it comes to posts!

You have grown into a delightful girl. At your core you are sensitive and kind. You have so much love to offer the world. Sometimes I think it’s your intense love for life that causes your sharp edges. It’s hard for you to be vulnerable. When it comes to the big stuff, you have a stiff upper lip. But when it comes to incorrectly taping a picture on the wall or being served eggs on the wrong plate, your emotions explode and your world comes crashing down. This was more true at 5 and 6 but now at a few months past 7, these explosive reactions are lessening.

You do everything with gusto- you are a feeler, an experiencer, and a mover. It’s exhausting at times but the beautiful part is you are fully present in everything you do. You feel and express the goods and you feel and express the bads. Granny put it best when she said, what comes in your brain instantly comes out your mouth and body.

I describe you as someone who jumps feet first into everything. You would likely run into a lake before stopping to consider if it is cold. Act first, think later. Sometimes being your mama can be overwhelming but it’s mainly because I can’t keep up with you. Your conversations and desires to engage never stop. This part of your personality can be tiring but mostly it’s refreshing, energizing, and a complete riot. You are the life of the party.

Your embodiment of the role of big sister has exceeded my expectations. When I was pregnant with Cedar, you were my only baby so it was difficult for me to imagine you as a big sister. 3 years later I am in awe of your patience and love for him. He is a good little guy but he still likes to copy your every move and repeat everything you say. Somehow this doesn’t seem to bother you. You were made for big-sisterhood.

And now you have ANOTHER baby brother, Shiloh. He adores watching you and your expressive facial expressions. You love to carry him and hug him and sometimes you squeeze him a little too tight. You are a huge help to me. 8 times out of 10 you say “ok” when I ask you to get something for me, carry something for me or help one of your brothers. You are my third arm and I am grateful for your help.

As Cedar is getting older you are starting to get irritated when you want to play with your dolls and he wants to play too. But most of the time you sweetly say, “Cedar, I want some big girl time, can you please go and play with your trucks or trains in the other room?” And still I need to come in and steer him toward a different activity because he just wants to be with you.

When he runs to you to share that he had a lolli-pop or found a book or shares any of his minor accomplishments (big to him). You always respond with enthusiasm and say, “COOL CEDAR!” It makes me so happy that you can celebrate him.

In the past 6 months he has learned how to push your buttons. He says, “Sage you are RUDE and BAD.” You do not like it when he says this and he knows it. He will keep saying it over and over until you scream. You are working on communicating that you don’t like it when he calls you names and then asking for help when he doesn’t listen.

All that being said, you two can get lost in your games and play beautifully for hours. Whoever said, “kids play better when they are closer in age” should see what a four year gap can do. It’s beautiful. You are old enough to understand his limitations and he is young enough to do most of what you say : ) One of my favorite things to do is watch you two from the kitchen window with half our house in the back-yard.

You are very attached to Daddy (and me, even though you don’t like to admit it). You can go to bed alone but prefer if one of us sleeps with you. You love to cuddle and feel more secure with one of us by your side.

You are a people person through and through. You do play alone with your dolls and your imagination for hours but you get most of your buzzing energy from interacting with others. You have many friends and are well-liked and you choose to enjoy lots of different companions instead of focusing on just one. Every day you ask for a playdate with a different child from school or ballet or even the people you meet out around town.

During your first grade year Amelia Fellini was a favorite but you two can get into fights and it’s hard for you to be vulnerable when you hurt or are hurt. You shut down in fights so repairs don’t come quickly. It’s summer now and the break has been good. You are playing with many different children and are especially fond of 9 year old Zoe in the cul-de-sac behind our house. You have had wonderful playdates with Sophia Sagar and Tellese Savage.

Your teachers report that you are an excellent member of the classroom, you are inclusive and welcoming of the ideas of others… all while being a leader and game generator. There is no doubt in my mind you are going to be a leader of some sort when you grow up. I also think you could get paid to think of cool ideas. You are an idea factory!

Your love for dance has continued to flourish. You naturally gravitate toward ballet and the graceful elegant movements of that style of dance. This year was your first opportunity to be in the Nutcracker. A dream of yours since you were about 2.5 years old. You were a little mouse. I wouldn’t be surprised if ballet is something you continue to pursue over the years. That being said, you are also a gifted climber. You can scurry up light posts, tree trunks, fences, door jams… the world is yours for climbing. You enjoy the less structured climbing challenges although lately you have enjoyed joining Daddy at the climbing gym. You had a wonderful skiing season and are currently able to ski all of Mount Bachelor! You are such a natural athlete that I think you would have success at any sport you choose. I wish you could see yourself on the monkey bars! Right now you are in rock-climbing summer camp and you came home yesterday SO JAZZED about your day. Your coach said you bouldered a V2 easily.

This morning you put on my apple watch and jogged around the house for 25 minutes trying to close the exercise ring. You are so so funny with more energy than anyone else I know.

Academic instruction began this year in First grade and you took to it happily. The Waldorf approach of delayed reading instruction has suited your development perfectly. We are so happy with your school and all they offer in terms of extra curricular enrichment. Your imagination is one of your greatest gifts so I am thrilled you were able to spend Kindergarten immersed in it. I am amazed at how quickly you are learning to read and how eager you are to write and communicate via paper. It’s a passion for you and not a requirement for school. You go through A LOT of paper. Your school also has you playing the recorder, knitting, singing, and painting. The knitting projects you have brought home are so cool!

You have so much to offer the world sweet girl. Passion, resilience, leadership, and a good heart. I can’t wait to see how your gifts intertwine with your development. You are a force in this world.
Some moments:

-You lost your first tooth in Fall 2018 and they have continued coming out throughout the year. The tooth fairy gives you gold coins or crystals.

-I want to remember forever that the trees in our backyard turn pink around your birthday and it’s also when the tulips start opening up

-You were insistent, “When the baby is being borned, wake me up!”

-When drawing something in the car you said, “I am going to look out the window and be expired.” You meant “inspired”

-When talking about a dream date with daddy you said, “I want to sit at Costco and watch the sunset with you”

-You are not modest and I love it. This summer when you finished rafting the river with the Craig girls you just stripped down on the side of the road. I have to remind you to put on clothes before you run out the front door naked in your high heeled dress up shoes!

-You love to dress up, the more princess dresses the better.

-You call Shiloh boose-a-boose.

-Daddy said that when you were riding home on the piccolo bike you were waving at all the people you passed, yelling “HELLO!!!!” and complimenting people on their yards.

-You often run over to Reba’s house next door and keep her company while she is gardening. You yammer on and on and we think she likes it.

-Our friend Ryan Travis thinks you are going to be a senator. He saw you going door to door in our neighborhood and that was his joke.