Ella is 5!

It's true. Ella turned five during the first week of school. And we had so much fun at her birthday party that I hardly took a picture. There was a Groupon for a bounce house rental a few months ago and I bought it on a whim. Good move--made for some easy party planning. Ella and Grandma Sue picked out a birthday cake, and in true form, Grandma let her pick whatever she wanted. Let me tell you,  it was a good one. It was a princess party (of course) so we made princess pajama shirts. "Pajama" shirts so no one is obligated (allowed) to wear them in public. Kind of like this. 

The bounce house was actually WAY more fun when it wasn't hot hot outside, ie after the party was over. The delivery guys asked if they could leave it overnight instead of coming at 7 pm to pick it up. We happily obliged.

Ella really is at a fun stage right now. She is so helpful and amazingly good with Anna. Whenever they have a disagreement, Ella almost always figures out a compromise, often to her detriment. She's still loving school, but I am certain that I will worry for years to come as to whether sending her was the right decision, as she is the very youngest in her class. Academically she does great, but she is a year younger than most kids and it makes me worry about her socially. I shouldn't, though; she really has done great. And man, can that girl read. Watch this movie I took last month. This was the first or second time she'd ever read the book.

Ella, we love you so so much. Here's to my favorite five-year-old!

Birthday Girl

Ella was so excited for her birthday this year. She initially wanted a princess party, but she changed her mind (she may have had a little prodding) and settled on a rainbow/bug party.

She was ready to go an hour early and waited for her "guests" to arrive.

Rainbow and bug cupcakes

Crafts

Presents

Sidewalk Chalk

I now see why some families have the every other year friend's party. Wrangling 7 little girls and 1 boy (don't worry--it was a bug party too, so it was okay that he was there) takes it out of you. But Ella had a great time and it was a good day. And now she's 4. She told my mom tonight as they were leaving for their Thursday night sleepover--"You've never had a 4 year old at your house for a sleepover before!" It happens in a blink, doesn't it. Love you, Ella bug.

Ella turns 3

Some things about my darling Ella Jane

• She has a remarkable memory. She gets it from the Packer side, that's for sure. 
• The imaginary friend thing is evolving. She now has Ah, Va, Da, Sa, Na and Eda-pho-Eda (who knows where she came up with that one). They are her "kids." She converses with them on a regular basis. And today she took it to a whole new level when she told me that she had to crawl on the table because Ah wanted the balloon. 
• Potty training, oh the joy. Here's where we are at: She feels the urge to go. She tells me. We take off her panties and...put on a diaper. She relieves herself, we remove the diaper and put the panties back on. She can't figure out how to go sitting down. She can sit on the potty and hold it for HOURS. She's not stubborn, she honestly can't figure out how to control the muscles while sitting down. Yesterday I asked her to practice sitting in her diaper and going and she told me, "I can't. That's not how my diaper works." Preschool starts in 5 days. Don't think we'll make it.
• She is very very thoughtful. She loves her friends and her sister. She remembers what everyone's favorite color is, and then tries to match their popsicle/balloon/cookie/toy/napkin to it
• The only food she wanted for her birthday dinner was strawberry soup. She hadn't ever had it before, but that's what she she wanted.
• The morning of her combined birthday party 2/2 guests called in sick. We managed to have a great time anyway. Lots of hand sanitizer was involved. 
• She has nearly given up her nap. She needs it every third to fourth day. Shed a little tear. 
• She is fun, smart and sweet. Love you, Ella Jane.

2 years old

• She has a special voice when she wants to be sweet, or when she wants something. Softer, high-pitched. Darling.
• She is very good at telling you what she does not like. "I no yike it when you tell me to go to the car....I no yike it when you put shoes on my feets...I no YIKE that_______ (Mommy, Daddy, Avery)!"
• 


• She is still a little OCD/organized (can't decide which side of the line she'll end up on). For example, she has to strap up her shoes before putting them away.
• She sometimes refers to me as,"My friend Mommy." Melts my heart.
• 


• She loves riding the train with Pa Pa (Grandpa Paul) and seeing "Baby Ho-ho-hi" or "Mommy Ho-ho-hi" on top of the temple. If they are at an angle where the statue looks small it is Baby, or if they are close up it is Mommy.


• She can't figure out the k sound. She calls Chris "Tis," our neighbor Kim "Tim" and Kimmy "Pea-hee." She used to call Kimmy Mee, but all of the sudden one day she became Pea-hee. It took us forever to figure out what she was saying.
• If she goes to bed after 8:30 it is almost guaranteed that she will wake up during the night. She is getting her molars, and I hope this new phase phases out soon.
• She is really thoughtful. When we were eating cupcakes Kimmy said, "I like frosting, too." Ella immediately said, "Want one?"
She does not like water in her face or sand on her feet. Maybe we need to spend more time at the beach.

• 
  

• Her birthday celebration was low-key and she loved it. So did I. You live, you learn.

Belated Birthday

Here are a few pictures from Ella's birthday party. Ella was "not loving the camera" as one friend put it, so the shots of her are not so hot. Next time.

{cupcakes from the amazing Sugarhouse Cakes--love, love, love.}




{this criscrossed the yard 4 times--thanks jamie for helping me finish it}

** I put the rest of the pictures here if you want to check them out

1st Birthday

happy happy birthday, ella dear

We wanted Ella's first birthday to be really special.



Checking out the pony


Giddy-up!


Chillin' with the pig



She's afraid the camel might spit on her


Aunt Jamie flew in for the occasion






picking the right duck is a tough decision


her "mean mom" wouldn't let her have flavoring in the snow cone. she didn't mind.


Popcorn poppin



presents




There was also a climbing wall, cotton candy, a fish pond, bingo, a cake walk, face painting, a rockin' live band, mini golf and hot dogs. What a party. She had the time of her life.


{maybe we didn't go to all this effort for her party. maybe we joined in on the fun of the Toll Canyon Ward party that grandpa was in charge of. maybe. but don't tell ella. she thinks it was all for her.}

Mark Your Calendar

And by us I mean me. Ella has no clue and Ryan thinks it is silly to celebrate a one-year-old's birthday. But you're invited, and it's going to be fun. Promise.