Reflections...

Last April, Ellie-Kate came home from pre-school and informed us that she was four. Apparently, several of the older children turned four in April, and she didn't want to be left out. Gently, we reminded her that she turned 3 in January. She sighed heavily and inquired when she would be four. We told her that she had to wait until January 26, 2012. Another heavy sigh... "Well," she replied, "I'll be four soon."

Alas, it was all too soon :) Fortunately, she's now one of the older kids in her class, but she has already commented that age 5 is on the horizon. Slow down, Ellie-Kate. Let your poor parents (and everyone else who loves you!!) savor the moments while you are most definitely four.

Yesterday, Ellie-Kate celebrated her birthday at preschool with Toy Story cupcakes. (One little girl asked where the "girl" cupcakes were. I told her that Toy Story was for everyone :) !) I picked her up after lunch, and she took a nap in her own little bed at home. I decided to watch the 70th anniversary episode of Guiding Light on my new DVD set, and she woke up midway through the episode. She cuddled up next to me on the couch, watched attentively, and I savored every second of sharing my favorite soap opera with her. Wish that the show was still on the air for more such magical moments...

After Emmy got off of the bus, we went to Walmart for pictures and then to Pizza Hut for dinner. The older girls had dance, but Ellie-Kate opened presents, and we cut the cake when Emmy got home. Of course, it was Toy Story as well :) Ellie-Kate was completely spoiled and overwhelmed throughout the day, but she had a good one. We made a big deal of her "birthday minute" (8:08 p.m.), even though she just wanted to move on to the next present. I'm wondering how long that it's going to be before she starts to question details of her birth day as opposed to just accepting that the day means a celebration of her and how much that we love her... I pray that we handle the situation as well as we can, assuring her that God has always had a plan for her and that He provided a way for her to be with us-- just as she was born to be. Pray that we'll have the right words for questions as they arise.

In the meantime, we celebrate another carefree birthday with our beautiful, smart, funny, talented, sparkling little princess. Happy birthday, Princess Ellie-Kate!! Hope that you had a magical day :)

Love, Mommy