These Are The Days To Remember

After a long weekend of golf, I've been nominated to take one of the many Sunday evening tasks off Rebecca's list - the blog post. And what a special post it is... Ella's 4th Birthday Interview! So, without further delay, I bring you Ella (age 4... and 9 days).

So, Ella, what is the best thing about being 4?

- Um, like, doing big girl stuff and playing with my sister, and getting all soapy [note: she played in a foam pit at the Roper All School Picnic, today]!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

- An artist, like Chihuly [still holding on to that from last year's unit at school]. Any more questions for me?

Yes.

- Ten or one hundred?

I ask the questions, and you give the answers... What is your favorite color? And why?

- Blue. Because my sister likes blue and purple and pink, and I like blue and purple and pink. So I copied the colors from Hannah.

Why did you copy her colors?

- Because I love her.

What is your favorite food? Why?

- Chicken. I know it's chicken, Daddy. Because it doesn't have anything in it... and eggs I like, because they're shaped flat.

What do you love to learn in school?

- I like being the leader. I like eating snack. And I like going to lunch. Even when I am not the leader, I am happy. And I like playing with Serephina and Mason.

But what do you like to learn?

- I like to learn that I shouldn't hit.

What else?

- Like, no punching, no kicking, no pushing. I like to learn that being nice makes you get money.

How does it get you money?

- Because I like money and I like being nice. I've got one hundred money, Dad!!!

Do you know how to read yet?

- Um, no.

Do you know your alphabet?

- Yes, A... Z. Now I know my... I sang the Alphabet! Now, what's the second question?

I told you, Ella, I ask the questions. How many questions have I asked you?

- Nine! One hundred. One thousand. I know, a zillion!

What is your favorite thing to wear?

- Costumes! Cinderella. No, actually, Belle! That's my favorite of all. She wears her royal skirt and Belle crown. And she wears a dress with only yellow.

What is your favorite book?

- Princess books.

What is your favorite show?

- PBS Kids. Wyatt - he solves the questions and Alphabet Pig. Like, they solve problems, and they say "you have powers to help." They're little kids that solve problems, Dad. That's Wyatt's crew. He sings the songs wherever they go.

How high can you count?

- 1... 25 [then, it gets a little dicey], 35, 42, 51, 52.

What do you like to do at school?

- Play with my friends. Make pictures. Play with Magnatiles and marbles. Doing Projects.

What do you like to do after school?

- Go to the playground.

What time do you go to bed?

- I go to bed at ten nine and I wake up at 5:30! [Note: the bedtime varies between 8 and 9:30, but the wake-up time is consistent enough that we have completely abandoned alarms.]

Do you do any special activities after school?

- I will pick my backup up, leave right away, and go to gymnastics, then Stroh's or Dairy Mat. Do you have any more questions? Otherwise I'm going to leave this room!

OK, OK, last questions: what would you like everyone to know about you now that you're 4?

- I am going to tell them that I'm 4 and I want to go to a bigger school now that I'm 4.

Do you want to tell them anything else?

- I love them. Smell my feet! They're not stinky, Dad, I promise. I took a bath. Just smell my feet!
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Ella (much like her sister) is really a special child... yes, even objectively. Ella is sweet as can be, happy 99.9% of the time, and loves to be naughty (e.g., sneaking treats from the pantry; stealing her sister's toys when not closely guarded; and sneaking out of her room until the moment she falls asleep and as soon as she wakes, despite constant pleas to entertain herself until 7:00 AM). Her emotional intelligence is wildly impressive, so she is quickly able to disarm you with an apology and a grin.

She loves hugging and kissing her family and friends (especially Hannah, when Ella knows Hannah isn't up for it), has a penchant for making huge messes of herself and work space, and is always up for a good time (especially when that includes playing with balloons or balls, having a tickle contest, or having a pillow fight). She also takes immense pride in her ability to clean up... a skill that she must frequently be reminded to practice.

She enjoys food (she'll try nearly anything), but really loves the kiddie menu... and dessert.

She is a tough and fearless kid, who quickly shakes off even big bumps and bruises, is up for giving any activity a whirl, and really excels with gross motor and hand-eye coordination activities on the playground, in gymnastics, with a golf club/tennis racket/baseball bat/hockey stick/lacrosse stick in her hand, on the ice, on her scooter, and in the pool (flying off the diving board and swimming to the side is her favorite).

She does not yet show any signs of true passion (like Hannah's art, math, and swimming), and is really just happy doing any activity.

It has been an absolute joy watching her grow to this point, and we look forward to seeing her continue to blossom in to an exceptional human being. We love you, Ella!!!

We stayed in Fennville this year for the Blackman'Bolton family vacation and had a wonderful pool area. We spent our time swimming, playing in the yard, going to the Art Barn and picking apples/raspberries. The kids had a great time with their cousins, and Jordan and I were able to relax a little with so many cousin babysitters.

The trip was wonderful until our last night, when Linda fell down the stairs and EMS had to come. Thankfully, she seems to be doing ok and was discharged the following morning. We are hoping for a speedy recovery so that she can be well enough to enjoy the holidays.

Thank you to Linda and Sid for a fantastic family vacation!