eleanor is 4!

My little ella boo turned four on February 2nd. We {joyfully!} celebrated this event for a solid week. Take a peek at some of the fun we had:



Ella's BFF, Lily, traded with Elijah {who was at her brother's sleep-over!} and she had dinner and a sleep-over at our house the Friday before Ella's big day. Where was Miles? Well, his buddy Sawyer's brother was also at Lily's brother's sleepover {you with me still?}, so Sawyer and Miles had their own little shindig at his place. So, it was an all girl {and one daddy!} soiree at Red Robin. Yum is right. More yum followed at home as we enjoyed a hello kitty cookie cake. {Sadly, I enjoyed most of it myself.} Yes, I admit it. It was divine.





Ella's actual birthday fell on a Wednesday, so we started bright and early before preschool with birthday pumpkin muffins and presents. I wish I knew what was running through her mind in this picture. Worry over the responsibilities of being four? Wondering if she was about to receive the lalaloopsie doll she's asked for {and subsequently didn't care much for}? In words that I've heard {all too} often from her lately I guess I'll chalk it up to, "You don't know!" and just enjoy the cuteness.



The following Saturday, my mom, my sister-in-law, Christine {affectionately known as Aunt Weezy!}, and I took her to a nearby tea room. She was so excited, but very quiet when we were first there. The room was full of ladies oohing and aahing over a little one's first tea room visit, so that made her a little uneasy at first. She livened up once they started clearing out.





Our hostess was very sweet to bake Ella extra cheese tea pots {cheese strawish cookies shaped like tea pots} and stick a candle in a brownie for us to sing to her {again!}. I think this was the fourth round of Happy Birthday To You for the week. Nope, fifth counting sweet Emma Dean and Miss Allison's version by phone. {We sure missed that girl for the sleepover! Colorado is a long way away.}



{I need to insert here that I so wanted to snag this adorable apron off her and run. I didn't. But I really liked it.}

Phew! Writing this post has made me weary. All the celebration was fun, but I might have sighed a {tiny} breath of relief when it was all over.

To my sweet Ella,

I'm so grateful to God for the gift of you. Thank you for gracing my life with your love, your beauty, your laughter, and {even} your spunk. I'm afraid you get that last part honestly, although I won't say who from. {wink wink.} I'm so blessed to call you mine {even though you are truly His}. I'll love you forever and ever, bunches and bunches!

Mommy

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