Hanging by the door of their classroom in Kids Church, a signage goes “Pre-school: 4-6 Years Old”. One Sunday afternoon, as we were picking them up after the church service, our conversation went something like this—
“Mom, what happens when we turn 7 years old? We can’t go to Kids Church anymore?”
“What do you mean? Why not?”, I asked.
“Because the sign on the door says ‘4-6 years old!”
Ohhh yeah. Good thinking. And thanks for the reminder, kids.
Although Dawn and Rain are already Grade 1 in homeschool, we kept them in their pre-school class in Kids Church per habit. We’ve been dropping them off that room every Sunday for the past year or so, it just didn’t occur to us that they’re supposed to join the tweeners (7-12 year old kids) soon.
How does something as trivial as moving up to the next class stir so many feelings in a mother’s heart anyway?
And so last Sunday, as they officially turned 7, we threw them a little surprise birthday party in their pre-school class and took the opportunity to let them say a proper goodbye to their friends and teachers there.
It felt like a rite of passage of sorts. The end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Like closing your favorite chapter so far in this book you couldn’t quite put down—you turn the next chapter with sheer curiosity, excited to know what happens next but not wanting the story to end.
Cue the tears. And that Michael Buble song.
Turning 7 years old
Everything’s changing! I know kids outgrow all the things all the time, but 7 feels like a huge leap.
Clothes they’ve been wearing for the last 3 years suddenly don’t fit anymore so we’ve been slowly building up their new wardrobe. (In classic #TitasofManila fashion, yung one-size-bigger para tumagal!) And so, in a funny way, these days everything in their closet is either too small or too big.
Clothing situation aside, we’ve boxed up more books and toys than ever before. Preferences are shifting, conversations changing.
For the first time, Rain is okay with discarding some of her toys, when, wasn’t it just yesterday when she begged to “keep all of her toys forever“? Last month we passed by a store in the mall and for the first time, Dawn took interest in toy makeup, accessories, and nail polish. (What is going on?)
And yet, some things remain the same.
They still love dolls, and books, and dresses, and milk + cereals for breakfast. And cuddles! They still love cuddles. (Which makes this momma so happy.)
They still love tagging along wherever we go, riding trains, walking around the neighborhood, and although they started to say “no thank you” to grocery runs, they still in general love doing things with us.
There is definitely a lot more talking, and asking questions, and negotiating, and joking around. (7-year-old humor is hilarious!) There’s still a lot of playing, and singing, and silly dancing, and laughing, and even though they started reading on their own now, we all still enjoy some good bedtime read-alouds.
There’s a lot more individuality and personality shining through. One twin loves math and technology; the other one loves music and arts. One twin loves being right in the center of the party, the other one warms up easier in smaller groups.
I miss them being babies and toddlers but age 7, oh my heart, this age is special. Every age has its own magic, for sure, but I’m here to report that as your child turns 7, you can still absolutely say that each year is still better than the last.
Magical Spaces, Magical Year
Along with turning 7 comes the purging of things and the transitioning of spaces.
The purging was intense! We KonMari’d the heck out of their toys and books. There was so much to declutter, the process took us days. But once the room was clean and ready, everything was a breeze!
Since we wanted to surprise them on their birthday, we woke up early and quietly decorated their space while they were sleeping. Took some ninja moves but overall it was a successful setup.
We had the balloons delivered early in the morning. There’s a box of Spinkie decors all ready to put up. Crates and baskets of new books hidden in the storage.
5 days before their birthday, we were in Spinkie’s anniversary celebration which Dawn and Rain really enjoyed, so they were ecstatic to wake up and see some of that Spinkie magic brought into their own little space.
By now the balloons have popped and the confetti thrown away, but Spinkie’s Dream Canopy, Dolls, and Garlands are the party decors that you can keep throughout the year!
You’ll notice in earlier posts that we had Spinkie’s Sheer Canopy (in Mist) for the longest time, draped on top of the twins’ bed. But this new season calls for something new and the Dreamy Canopy (in Champagne) completely transformed the space!
You can just imagine all the reading time and storytelling and happy memories we’ve already had in this corner of the house, and we’re not even done yet! Their bedroom is still a work in progress. Watch this space as we continue to share progress with you guys.
Happy 7th birthday, Dawn and Rain! We may have set up this magical space for you on your birthday but YOU TWO are the real magic in our lives. We love you!
Shoutout to Mutya and the rest of the Spinkie team for helping us make this possible, but most of all for inspiring imagination and creativity in our daughters and in children everywhere.
Shop Dawn & Rain’s Reading Nook
Decors: Spinkie’s Dreamy Canopy and in Champagne, Pom Garland in White and in Champagne, Star Garland in Gold, Baskets and Crates from Common Room; Faux Fur Rug from Landmark.
Toys: Dreamy Doll Tala, Dreamy Doll Marikit, and other Spinkie dolls we collected through the years.
About Spinkie
Over the past 3 years, Spinkie has built a homegrown brand that was able to resonate with a global audience.
Most people online think of Spinkie as an Australian or British brand but they are, in fact, a global brand that has its roots in the Philippines. Spinkie is proud to support a growing community of Filipino Moms who lovingly sew its products and an international community of Moms who sell their products in their own countries, each one of them caring for their children the way they desire as they build their own careers at the same time.
Today, Spinkie is in 21 counties with over 65 stockists globally, upholding its vision to make magical spaces that aim to create more meaningful memories for both parents and kids.
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