You are such a unique girl. Older than your years in so many ways and so very... three in others. It is hard to imagine that such a big person can fit in such a little package but there you are. In your pink and purple, sparkle and twirl.
You get up each morning knowing exactly what you want to wear and what you plan to do. You love to give orders and have a "job" to do. Helping me cook and bake are you favorite things to as well as help change and feed Matthew. Recently you discovered that you are very good at folding dish cloths into perfect squares and will declare after every feat that you master "Ya Ella!" and slide dramatically forward one on foot with two thumbs up. You are very theatrical in most everything. You are loud and bright with gigantic blue eyes and smile that lights up your face.
We adore you, so so much. Your brothers think you are just the best, and let you boss them around past the point I think is reasonable but they tend to let you go further. They give up their seats for you, let you go first, give you the last...whatever...help you, play with you and read to you. If they need a reminder you will yell at them "be gentle with your baby sister!!!".
You are lucky to have such love in your siblings. And in turn, you love your "guys" and mother them all. It is a sweet dynamic and one I know will mature as you all grow older but that I hope doesn't change too much.
You are, absolutely adorable. Wherever we go people always stop to notice you. It is hard to miss you, with those wild white curls and ready chatter for whomever will look your way. You are naturally bold and confident and sometimes cross the line. "MOVE IT!" you shouted to a dad at the playground with his young son in your little girl sassy voice that gets you to time out more often then not. "ELIZABETH"! I yelled... you quickly corrected yourself "I mean excuth me please" in your little falsetto...and then proceeded to shove him out of your path. Barely waist high, you don't seem to show much intimidation or caution when you have something (or someone) in your way. I am usually behind you, calling out apologies, met with startled and forgiving laughter from those not used to ...you.
When you are this cute, you get away with a lot...often too much. But really you are sweet and eager to please and desperate to be helpful and be treated like a big girl. When we are somewhere new, or you are outside of your comfort zone you can be very unsure until you have it all figured out. You will hang back with your head low, close to Mommy and fingers in your mouth. Wanting me to hold you but also not letting yourself quite allow it. The first time we went to the beach this year you were unsure of the sand...it took you 20 minutes of watching exactly what everyone else was doing before you took one careful step onto gritty ground. And then ten more to commit to the experience. Sure enough, given the time and patience to do it on your terms you were the most enthusiastic child at the beach. Pushed however...you will not attempt any further but refuse anything more to do with the situation you are unsure of. We have learned to let you go on your own, or you won't go at all.
I love seeing more of you unfold as you grow. I am so proud of you, I am so grateful for you and as your name suggests, you bring an immense amount of Joy to our family.
Happy Birthday our beautiful Ella.
I love you more than you could ever know. Mommy xoxo
