happy birthday to ella...and a couple of pierced ears

so very proud

make a wish... (her wish was that she could have her birthday every day. technically, you're not supposed to tell or it won't come true, but i'm not sure that's what's going to hold her back on this one).

so my little girl turned 6 yesterday. it was a great day for all. due to the fact that the last of her little friends moved last week, we had to forgo a party this year in favor of some quality family time. the original plan was to take the girls to toy story 3, then over to build-a-bear before heading to red robin for dinner. we had an AMC movie gift card that had been collecting dust since christmas. however, because yesterday was the opening day of a certain vampire movie, AMC decided that all 20 screens needed to be playing that movie all day long. seriously? so her birthday became a two-day hurrah. we did the movie and build-a-bear on tuesday, and then yesterday we went to the pool and then dinner with daddy at red robin. but before we made it to dinner, ella had one more birthday request. to get her sisters ears pierced. they were so cute talking about it, and ella convincing her sister that it didn't hurt, and she would look so pretty... that i went with it. and they really do look cute on her. so it was a big day for all. ella insisted on making her own cupcakes this year. she really is growing up so fast. i have loved having her home from school. i don't know how i'm going to function when school starts in september. she is such a big helper and such a sweet girl to have around all day. she and molly have really started enjoying each other, and spend most of their free time entertaining each other. ella loves all things girlie. she loves the idea of being a big girl. she is constantly doing things to make her family happy. she's a great little artist, loves doing art projects, and reading books. she is affectionate, thoughtful and loving, and i feel so blessed to be her mom. happy birthday pretty girl! we love you.