Ella's Second Year

We interrupt the Utah trip to bring you Ella's birthday.  She is 2 today!  And believe me, she is 2.  The excessive meltdowns have already begun.

We've had quite the year with my little imp.  This little girl has grown up a LOT in the last year.  We've learned that she has a mind of her own, and is always up for a good time.

She has had a word explosion lately, and it's thrilling to see her put two and two together.  For example?  We were talking about when she was sick and had a little "bug."  She thought for a minute, and said, "Dad's book."  Because there had been an actual little bug on his book the day before.  See what I mean?  Putting things together. 

She also likes to put things together physically.  She is forever pulling things out of boxes, lining them up, and putting them away.  One of her favorite things is to pass out flashcards to everyone in the room, then collect them, then pass them out again. 

Julia is often a sad girl (the emotions are close to the surface on that one), but Ella does everything she can to make a sad Julia feel better.  She gets her blanket, piles on toys, and gives her hugs.  And if she was the perpetrator of a sharing crime that turned Julia into a puddle?  She is immediately giving back the toy, along with an apology.  She's got a kind heart.

Ella also has no fear.  She climbs the ladders, goes down the slides, jumps right into the action.  Clark and I often have a hard time letting her go do things that seem way above a 2 year old, but I find that if I sit back and let her try it, she can do it.  She OWNS playground equipment.  (I hope I'm not jinxing myself here.)  And when she falls down, she picks herself right back up and goes on playing.  No fear AND tough. 

I love my little Ella girl.  Happy Birthday, EB!