Merry Christmas x 3

Dear Ella,

Since you are my little early-riser, you and I get to have a lot of alone time in the wee hours of the morning when you wake up.  The six months prior to Christmas, you loved to make me playdough cupcakes in the morning.  I thought about how much you loved to cook, and decided to make you a kitchenette for Christmas.  I went on Pinterest and found some great tips on how to make it.  We had an old cabinet that had a broken door that was just being used to store some of your toys and books.  It took me three months of working on this during your naptime before it was complete.  Here's the before and after:

Unfortunately, you very rarely play with this adorable kitchen that I made.  But hey, I really tried.  You also got a little cash register and shopping cart that you play with often.

Then it was off to Grammy's house to play with cousins and take a stroll down Christmas Card Lane.

On Christmas Eve, you got to open presents at Grammy and Pa's.

Then we went to Nana and Papa's house.  Nana wanted all of the grandkids, and some of the adults, to re-enact the Nativity.  At first you were upset because you wanted to be Mary, but you were chosen to be a wiseman.  Then when Auntie Jennifer said you could be a wisegirl, you perked right up.  I will admit that when Nana announced that she wanted to do this, I was a little annoyed.  I thought it would be a huge hassle to round up all of you children and make you cooperate for this.  My fears were valid, but it turned out to be the best part of Christmas.  You really learned about the story of Christ's birth by doing this, and you re-enact it at home all the time.  I'm so glad that your Nana made us do this.

Nana also called up Santa and asked him if he could come over to deliver some early Christmas presents so that we could all wear our matching jammies on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning was a flurry of wrapping paper, plastic, tape, candy, stickers, and other such delights that come with opening presents on Christmas morning.  I didn't get any pictures of it, but it was crazy fun.

How very lucky we are to have such a big, wonderful family filled with people we love.  I hope we can always remember CHRISTmas and His love for us.

Love,
Mom

Camel Farm

Dear Ella,

For our last day of Joy School before Christmas break, we decided to take a field trip to the Camel Farm here in Yuma.  They are so much bigger than they look on TV.  I was a little disappointed that they didn’t allow us to ride them, but it was still cool.

There’s a funny GEICO commercial on TV right now where a camel is walking around an office and asking each cubicle, “What day is it?” Until finally someone replies, “Hump day.”  It’s not funny when I write it in your letter, but the commercial is funny and these camels make me want to say, “What day is it?”

Who says there isn’t anything to do in Yuma?  Who else can say they went to the camel farm today?  I love living in Yuma with you.

Love ya,

Mom

Rainy Day

Dear Ella,

When I was a teenager and lived in beautiful San Diego, I used to always dream of living in Seattle because I knew that it rained all the time there and I love the rain.  Now that I’m older . . . I still love the rain!  I don’t really want to live in Seattle anymore, but whenever it rains here in Yuma my heart flutters a little and I want to go outside and dance in the rain.

I waited to take you outside until after the rain had stopped so that we could splash in the puddles.  Watching you and Charlie giggle from puddle to puddle is one of my favorite memories.  If ever I’m feeling gloomy, I just need to look at these pictures because they always make me smile.

Thanks for making rainy days special in a whole new way.

Love,

Mom

Halloween 2013

Dear Ella,

Each morning you wake up before the sun, drink a chocolate Pediasure, and watch your favorite show “Phineas and Ferb.”  It was no surprise to me that this year you wanted to be Phineas for Halloween.  He is totally awesome, smart, funny, and has red hair.  He’s pretty much the male version of you.

I had all your siblings dress up to match you too.  Charlie dressed up as Ferb and Lily was Perry the Platypus.  You loved your costume because it came from Charlie’s closet, and you love to put on other people’s clothes. Ella, you’re such a cool chick.

 

We also got to go to the pumpkin patch with the Gillettes this year.  It was much more crowded than the year before, but you still had a great time.

Happy halloween!

Love,

Mom

Birthday Bash Take Two!

Dear Ella,

I have a lot of catching up to do, so the next few posts will be brief.

Since Dad was in Texas during your birthday, we waited to have a big party when he got back into town.  On October 3rd, we celebrated your birthday and Charlie’s birthday in Valley Center.  Nana and Papa have some friends there who own a little petting zoo and horseback riding place.  Their home was so picturesque.

I really had you in mind when planning this party because you absolutely LOVE animals.  Your favorite part of going to the zoo is the petting zoo.  You also look forward to the fair, the rodeo, and the pumpkin patch each year because they offer horseback rides.  Needless to say, this birthday was a big hit.  You were so happy the whole time.

It was so fun to have your cousins Reese, Everett, Lynlee, Lyla, and Alex at the party too. 

 

Then it was time for some cupcakes and presents.  You had so many gifts to open!

 

Later on we went and played with your cousins at Grammy’s.  You are the cutest pirates and princesses I have ever seen!

These birthdays that we get to spend with family are so special.  I hope you will cherish them as much as I do!

Love,

Mom