After a great two day getaway, today-- Ella's actual birthday, has been more of a normal day. Preschool and piano lessons were still on the schedule, so we're just hanging at home today. But I planned Ella's favorite foods for each meal and decorated the dining room and the phone has not stopped ringing (including one wonderful call from the singing Gilmore Girls in Haiti!), so it's still been a special and happy day. We started the morning off with some present opening. Since so many of you who send such thoughtful birthday gifts by mail don't get to see the birthday girl's reaction in person, I always like to post a few pictures of this on the blog.
The pile. (And the sombrero.)
One of the main things Ella wanted this year was a watch, and she actually got two! But, she loves and wants to keep them both. Thanks Aunties Heather and Karen! Ella's been telling me what time it is literally every ten minutes today.
Check out this big girl gift-- a library of Boxcar Children books, also from Auntie Karen and family. (Ella was very excited.)
Silly poem books from silly Auntie Kris and family-- perfect! Ella immediately cracked them open and started reading and giggling over prose about burps and wet dogs.
The BIG gift this year is a trip to the American Girl Doll store in Seattle from Grandma and Grandpa. On our vacation this summer, the girls will experience Little Girl Paradise for the first time, then each pick out a super special new American Girl Doll and maybe have tea in the restaurant. Here are Grandma and Grandpa breaking the news to Ella on the phone.
Ella requested under-the-sea sweets to go with her aquarium outing choice. We made these oyster cookies together for her school birthday treat last week. And we decorated her cake today with sea turtles.
After 3 straight days of celebrating the lovely person she's growing into and the blessing that she's been in our lives the past 7 years, I think I'm finally ready to acknowledge Ella's new age. For some reason, 7 was feeling especially old this year and I was having a hard time! :)
3 comments:
The American Girl store! Oh, my, goodness!!! That is a huge deal. Hope some of the girls' relatives know how to sew clothes for those dolls. How will they ever decide which doll to take home? :)
PS-Jen, I know what you mean...7 feels old. :(
Thanks for the shout out! We heard it all the way in Haiti. So fun to talk to you...even though we got cut off! ;) Happy Happy Birthday, Sweet Ella.
P.S. Blog is looking great, Jen!
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