"Happy 3rd Birthday Ellison"!

Oh, our sweet Ellison, ("Elle Belle", "Ella", Ellie"), we are only beginning to scratch the surface of the of who you and your big brother are!  There is a vast ocean of depth in both of you that we pray we have a lifetime to discover.  Ellison, you have not changed very much since you were an infant - except you are taller, your hair is longer, and you talk non-stop! Other than that, your BIG personality is the same. I feel like you "came into your personality" right from the start...., there was no "growing into it". You entered the world ready to take it on, ready to fly, and ready to add some color to it. Some kids seem to emerge slowly and steadily into who they are becoming...., you just seem to know who you are and are quite comfortable with it. You continue to be a doggedly determined, free-spirited little girl, who tells most people she meets that they are her best friend. You love life, and it loves you back. I believe you are going to enjoy this life. You have a sparkle in your eye that all at once scares me, and excites me!!  You continue to feel things very big and very deeply - if you are happy, you are REALLY happy. If you are sad, you are REALLY sad, if you are funny, you are REALLY funny, and if you are mad, you are REALLY mad! We do not have to guess what you are thinking, and you will always tell on yourself if you have been into something you shouldn't have been! You are fiercely independent and rarely want any help from anyone about anything. You will figure out how to do something on your own eventually. You have a very tender and compassionate heart, and pick up on people's emotions very quickly. You love to "mother" your baby dolls and have become quite the "nurturer" to them, always being tender towards them and taking care of their needs. You are very assertive, but respond quickly to us when we call you to submit. You need a good/firm/consistent boundary. All kids do, but some need more than others!  :)  You still love your routines and the predictability of your day. You love to play "kitchen", dolls, ride your bike, swing, paint, do puzzles, change costumes 10 times a day, and will play with Elijah and his friends while they play super heroes. You can hold your own with the best of them, and I always have to laugh when I see you chasing these big boys in the yard with your princess dresses on, holding a light saber!  You love to sort and organize. You re-arrange our pantry daily! You love to stack items, put them in a line, or a circle, or make some other pattern with them. You enjoy having a job to do, and need something to do to occupy you. You amaze us with your ability to communicate and your cognitive abilities. You and your big brother have a typical sibling relationship - you adore the ground the other walks on, and you delight in pushing each others' "buttons"! You love to listen to music at night when you are falling asleep, and you sleep with more stuffed animals than I can count! You have recently begun to enjoy putting on "talent shows" for us. You will dance and sing with passion and gusto! You still have your "pink kitty and green frog" and they are your favorites - as well as a new pony that makes colorful light-up butterflies on the ceiling...., which have become your friends that you talk to every night. You and your Daddy have a nightly ritual of the ongoing adventures in "the doughnut story". Your Daddy is a master story-teller and you love it.  You just ask me to sing!  You love to have "girl time" with me, and I love to hear you say it. You never meet a stranger, and are quite comfortable in social settings! You never let us put you to bed without praying for you - you remind us each and every night - and I pray you will always have that desire in your heart. We continue to pray daily for you, that God will use your bold and passionate personality to lead many to Him! 

We love you more than you know and are so proud to be your parents! 

Good morning sunshine!  I can't believe you are 3 years old.  

Early morning birthday greetings from family 

Pink pancakes - of course 

Painting most of the morning 

Ice cream with friends 

These 3 little ones will be in youth group together one day!  Get ready church! I just love these girls and their momma's! 

Happy Birthday Ellison! 

Free-spirited Ellison 

Flyin' high on her birthday! 

Best big brother in the world!  And I just realized he is wearing a number 3 jersey in honor of his sister's birthday!  Doubt he planned that, or even realized it, but I like to think that he did :)