Ella the Dreamer

Ella has been struggling lately with something that, I believe, we have all struggled with at one point or another. She has been quite sad that she is a human. She doesn't have any magical powers, a fishy tail, or wings. She felt a little better when I explained that I still struggle with my mere humanness. We then discussed how reading is the best because you can become anything you want. So, she's even more eager to become a pro reader. 

Ella seems to be growing up like crazy lately. Not physically necessarily (she's on the short side) but she has left those toddler years for sure. Her interests are becoming more grown up as is her taste in movies, clothes, and jokes. Not that she's been telling dirty jokes, but she has a quick wit that amazes me. Unfortunately, I can't think of any instances off the top of my head. When Ella got mostly clothes for Christmas she couldn't have been happier. It didn't even phase her that she didn't get any toys. She loves adventure, both having her own and reading or watching others. Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter are some of her most favorite things in the world. BTW, she says Legolas looks like a girl (sorry Randi. And Andrew did not coerce her.) Above is her dress-up from auntie Bethany. It is her Lord of the Rings dress and she has vowed to always wear it whenever we watch LOTR. Except she takes it off when there's fighting. Because it's hard to fight in a dress. 

Despite Ella's shortiness, she is growing up. Ella experienced a glorious thing over the past couple days. She discovered not one, but two loose teeth. Since then, she has been preparing for the much awaited tooth fairy. We are still a couple weeks away, but Ella has written her letters, drawn her pictures, and asked me a million questions about her. Ella had her art kit out one morning and was asking how big the tooth fairy was. When I asked why, she held up a colorful strip of paper, rolled up and said, "Do you think this crown will fit her?" The cuteness killed me a little. I instagrammed one of the letters but for those who don't follow that, it said, "I know you have been having a hard time going to every place, but you can come to our house anytime." Again, death by cuteness for this mama. 

Ella has been such a joy over the past couple of months. She has really stepped up and done her best with mommy being a little psychotic (the holidays and miscarriage hormones did a number on me.) Yes, her and Livie fought like cats and dogs, but every new morning when Ella woke up with a smile for me, not holding a grudge for my major mommy failures the previous day, it was the oomph I needed to keep going. This girl of mine is a beautiful example to me and I love her for it.

Ella the sledding addict.

Sometimes they don't fight.

I don't think I could love this picture anymore than I do. Seriously! This so perfectly captures her personality.

Ugh! That face! No wonder boys have crushes on her because, "Her face is so cute."