At seven, Ellie was really easy. She was really into playing and pretend still. She didn't care for TV much (which seemed to honestly switch the minute she turned 8) and she still loved little things. I think these pictures pretty much sum it up. This is Ellie on March 2. She is dressed up, pretending this is her class and giving them instruction.
She was silly and fun at seven and just a little bit grown up. A bit independent, but then a bit not. And yes, a bit bossy and sassy. One night we were laying in bed and she said she wanted it to be morning. I said I didn't and she asked why. I told her because then I'd have to go to work, to which she replied, "You don't technically have to GO to work."
This is the video I got when I wouldn't let her move her piano from the office to her room. Cracked me up.
We weighed her the day before she turned 8 and she still hadn't hit 50 pounds, she was 49. She is growing up (physically and metaphorically). We forgot to grab her height so we did it a bit later and she was 49 inches or four foot one. She seems so tall, but in her class there are only 4 kids shorter than her so I guess she just seems tall to me.
I found out in March that Ellie could jump-rope. A few years back I had purchased a jump rope and she tried but couldn't really do it and I don't recall her using it since. Well, I assume recess has been good for more than just taking a break from school.
She came home around the end of March singing jumping rhymes and jumping her rope. "Ice cream soda, cherry on top, who's your boyfriend i forgot - is it (a, b,)" "Cinderella, dressed in pink - went upstairs to clean the sink, made a mistake and kissed a snake, how many doctors did it take?" "Cinderella, dressed in blue - went upstairs to tie her shoe.." "Cinderella, dressed in red - went upstairs to go to bed.." "Cinderella, dressed in yella - went upstairs to kiss a fella.."
A couple days later on March 29, she was stepping it up and doing it on the trampoline. She is getting so much braver.
From the video - she also explained these jump moves to me.
H = hot chili peppers
E = eyes closed
L = lolly pop or leap frog
P = pencil
Speaking of getting so much braver - Kevin and I went to Ellie's school to have lunch with her on her birthday - and she was all over the play ground. She can finally do the monkey bars and she was all over the other bars, not afraid of being on the top bar or at the highest point. If you have read or if you know Ellie, these things used to be terrifying for her.
And...speaking of her birthday, let's discuss. Since Christmas...Ellie has wanted an American Girl Doll. We talked about it, talked about if she wanted one for Christmas or if she would rather go to the American Girl store and pick one out herself. I told her if she wanted to do that instead of a birthday party that would be great and we would do it in Chicago on our trip there. She had decided on the store (and once Ellie decides things are pretty set) and that is how we all planned for it.
Of course Ellie and Kevin were set, but I just couldn't let a party go. I asked Ellie and she said she didn't want one. Yet even then I started planning it in my head. I kept telling Kevin I could do it for under $50 and then it wasn't that big of a deal. Which is hilarious, because that was just my way of justifying it. I am quite convincing and in the end had convinced Ellie she wanted one.
Then...the party grew...Ellie didn't want to just invite the girls from school, she wanted to invite the entire class, and her neighborhood friends. We made fun leprechaun invitations as a family and set the party for St Patrick's Day. We ended up sending out about 35 invitations.
Of course then I needed to take her shopping for a new outfit. I mean you can't go to your party in old clothes, right? She picked out the hat and of course a green shirt. She hasn't really worn the hat since, other than to play in, but she looked super cute for her party!
Saturday the 17th her friends started showing up and I was so glad we had the party. It is so fun to see the kids from school and spend more time with them. We quickly learned that having boys at the party creates a whole new chaos, but it was so fun. At one point during the party we had to play the freeze, silent game with the boys so Ellie could get through her presents.
The first activity was to hunt for gold outside. The week leading up to the party was beautiful, but of course there was rain in the forecast for the party. I was sooooo happy it held off until after the party. We had hundreds of chocolate gold coins hidden around the yard and I can't imagine all of those kids running through the house looking for melting chocolate.
We found GOLD!!
We had them running downstairs and outside doing games and just having fun. Ellie found plenty of gold at the end of her rainbow and we are so blessed she has such great friends!
After the party we were all pretty exhausted and Kevin, Ellie and I spent the night at home, alone. It was a priceless night. Ellie worked her way through each of her new toys. She did it in no particular order and with no agenda to get through them all. She would play alone and then with us. She gave Kevin a spa treatment (although the picture looks the other way around, it wasn't) and we all just enjoyed each other and the down time.
Something I love about Ellie is her appreciation for every thing she has. She really plays with all of her toys, even things she has had for years. It is a bit difficult to do any sort of clean-out in her room because she genuinely plays with everything.
Of course the parties did not stop there...we had a little family party on her actual birthday. She had one at Garred's and then of course one at Grandma's. Not to mention the upcoming trip to American Girl Doll.
We took Ellie McDonald's for lunch - it's always so fun to have lunch conversation with second graders.
After school, she came home and opened her presents. I was pretty good to stick to my promise of not too many presents due to the upcoming trip.
Then we headed off to get some sweet cupcakes. We didn't do a cake because Grandma was doing one on Sunday.
Then we met up with Grandma and Uncle Jed at Noodles (of course) for dinner.
And then off for some frozen yogurt. Jed was just about fed up with pictures so he gave me the best pose he could. ;)
And then we headed back home for the cupcakes and more presents. Grandma gave her a hippo that had several hidden pockets...and of course they were just stuffed with goods. She was excited to open and find each little thing.
Our sweet neighbor made her a kaleidoscope. She thought it was, quote, "..the most awesomest thing - I'm SO excited to show it..." And so she did. She asked her teacher at school if she could take it to class. She was able to, and showed it to the students as a bit of a sharing time.
A few other events in the month...Girl Scouts....
I organized a trip to the West Jordan Fire Department for the girls to tour the station. It was a small group, but fun to see how the firefighters live when on duty.
Ellie and I also went to the capital to celebrate the 100 years of Girl Scouts. The Governor spoke and among the other things...we learned that Utah sells more Girl Scout Cookies than any other state! (When we were leaving it was super windy and my dress blew up over my head...we were both so embarrassed and luckily there was only one family that had to suffer with us.)
Jed's Birthday...never too old for party games!
Ellie's cake and party at Grandma's house...
And of course the introduction of magnet man. (Magnet man saves dropped items with his magnetic powers.)
But MY favorite thing in the entire month was on the 28th when we came home from school one and Ellie noticed the blossoms on one of our little trees. She was so excited and together we both just had to go see. I loved this moment and I love that we share an appreciation for the beauty of spring and for the little miracles in life.
