Flash forward...

Yesterday, I took Ell to get her 5 year portraits taken and one of the outfits that we took was a white spring dress. It still fits and I have to say, there is something adorable and beautiful about a little one dressed in all white and in bare feet... I love it! Anyway, the photographer has her sit on her knees with her back towards the camera and look back over her shoulder. As the photographer was fixing and adjusting her clothes I had a flash, not of my 5 year old princess, but of the future. I saw Ell sitting there in her 20s, stunningly beautiful, and dressed in white... My little girl all grown up. It took my breath away for a split second and it was everything I could do to prevent everyone from seeing me tear up.
Normally, we have flash backs and can get lost in memories. This time of year that usually happens to me because of Ell's birthday but this was such a gift, so unexpected.

"It Won't be Like This for Long"

Oh yea, READ THIS!

I have tried many times without success to post a video of Ell reading. Wednesday night she read a brand new book, Go Jane Go, all by herself... I was amazed and awe struck! We stumbled through it together the first time then she read it to me all by herself with NO help!
I was/am so proud, I cried... shocking, I know! Every day this little girl grows a little and leaves me a little speechless!

Happy, happy birthday baby...

Dear Ellie,
Another year has passed by and now, now you are five years old. Where does the time go? That is something you will hear a lot as you get older... Where does the time go? Well, bear with us older folks and I promise you, one day you will understand.
At about 2:30 in the morning, just five years ago, I counted 10 fingers and 10 toes. Weary eyed, I gazed at the most beautiful something I have ever seen and you brought tears to my eyes. With one little cry you stole my heart and changed my world.
One year later we celebrated your first year of life... Cries, steps, tumbles and falls. Giggles, gurgles, and blowing bubbles. Sips, slurps, and spiting outs. Splishes, splashes, and fuzzy warm ups. Cuddles, loves, and sleepy snoozes. Sad tears and happy smiles.
As the days and years passed you've gotten so smart. But smart doesn't even begin to illustrate your inventive brain. You are creative, who else would come up with a mermaid-princess-superhero-pirate-ballerina? You are clever, just the other day you "figured me out". Intuitive, always asking about the things that go on around you. And oh, so observant. You are always watching the world around you.
But so much more than smart, you have gotten so strong. Your bones are growing, you are getting so much taller, your feet and hands are getting bigger, and your hair is getting longer. It isn't (totally) your size that amazes me, it is what you can do with your hands... You create art, make jewelry, master the monkey bars, and ice cupcakes. Your feet, your stinky feet run fast, jump high, and wear only the most fashionable shoes.
Your personality is blossoming more and more every day! With every passing day you come a little more out of your shell. You have now started singing your own songs and dancing your own dances and lets face it, marching to the beat of your own drummer. Keep it that way and don't ever change! You are sassy and shy, sweet and silly, an entertainer and a quiet mouse.
You are so many things rolled up into one!
Your heart, your heart is still pure and loving. Your smile lights up a room and your laughter makes my heart soar. You are kind and innocent. You amaze me every day and you make me a better me.
I wish for you days full of joy, nights full of peace, and a long lifetime full of love.
I love you more than the world itself.
Love,
Mommy

Ellie's 5-day birthday celebration

Ellie's Mermaid-Princess-Superhero-Pirate-Ballerina birthday cake. The bakers and decorators at Graul's Market in Ruxton did a fantastic job!!
Ellie in her Mermaid-Princess-Superhero-Ballerina outfit... It was a group effort to assemble this custom outfit. No one can ever say that Ellie isn't creative!
Someone is excited for her 5th birthday party to start!
A view from the back... The cape is detachable! Awesome!
Ellie and I before the craziness starts.
Ellie, Grandma, and Grandpa
The party room set-up before the kids!
We had Ell's party at Gerstung Inter-Sports... It was an awesome venue!
The kids had a blast, the staff was enthusiastic and helpful. But the best of all is that they set up and clean up... What a bonus!
All the kids getting ready and waiting patiently to jump on the trampoline.
Kate, Ell, Erica, Andrew, and Joelle waiting in line...
Hooray for fun!!
Playing with balloons... Woo-hoo!!
The obstacle course.
That is a happy face on a happy birthday girl!!
Yum... Snacks!
Who is turning 5???
We are! We are!!!
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Ellie,
Happy birthday to you!
Ell and 'the girls'... Joelle, Ellie, Ell, Takara, and Jayda
Ell and her bffs Joelle and Ellie.
Ellie and Noah.
Some of Ellie's family... Grandpa, Margie, Grandma, Papoo, and Meme
Ellie and her birthday loot back at the hotel.
That is one lucky girl!
Looks like someone got her very own iPod.
Silly, silly girl at the dinner table.
Ellie and her daddy.
Grandma, Mommy, and Ell at dinner on Saturday night out by the fire.
At the aquarium on Sunday... Ellie Grandma, Ms. Erin, Grandpa, and Daddy.
Oohhh... The spooky animal show. Hissing cockroaches, a toad, and a boa constrictor.
We learned that instead of saying "Eeeewwwww!" we should say, "Well, isn't that interesting!"
Ell and Grandpa by the fish.
Ellie and her puffins!
Ellie and Grandma in the rain forest.
The "Brady Bunch" photo... Next stop, Sears!
Ell and Birdy at the dolphin show.
Ell and Daddy at the aquarium.
Grandma, Ell, and Grandpa.
Lunch at M&S Grill at the Inner Harbor after the Aquarium.
Dessert... Chocolate ice cream with SPRINKLES!!
HA! HA! HA!
Uncle Bob, we were thinking about you!
Monday night, Ell and I iced her cupcakes to take to school to share with her friends for her birthday on Tuesday. She is really getting good in the kitchen but I have to say I think that as much icing went in her mouth as it did on the cupcakes!
Ell and her new bedtime story "Starfish".
Ooohhh... a personalized purse!
Ell's at home birthday cake.
Last bubble bath as a 4 year old!!
Ellie's birthday!
I surprised her with flowers and by picking her up from school early. We played hookie the rest of the day... What a fantastic 'girls day'!!
Ellie's new purse, its a Vera Bradley! Look inside and there is a hint about what we are doing today... a wallet with birthday money.
Shopping...
... in Fells Point!
So excited, she is singing and just being her silly self!
Let's take our time... We have the whole day!
Ellie and I
What a fun day!
Shopping, Ellie style!
We went to aMuse Toy Store, an independent toy store in Fells Point, for some special toy shopping. We, mainly Ell, looked around for nearly an hour before deciding on her toy... Calico Critters.Shopping was a success!
"Hey world, look at me now!!"
Sitting by the water playing with new toys.
Then we went down the street to the park and played on the playground. If I didn't know any better I would think that Ellie only ate bananas they way she moves on those monkey bars!
She is a pro!
Monkey face? Surprised? WHO?
No matter what it is, it sure is silly!!!
Then we had a fantastic dinner at Grano in Hampden. Ell wanted spaghetti for dinner. Shocking, I, know! Then we went to Cafe Hon for some awesome desserts... chocolate cake and blueberry/ cherry crumb pie!
With full bellies and the moon in the sky we ventured home... What a fantastic day, Ell, happy birthday!

Below: Ell displaying some of her vocal talents and creativity...