Birthdays and Recitals and Dentists

This picture of Ella was taken just 6 short years ago.   She's has this laugh that lights up my world.  She's snuggly and thoughtful and tender-hearted.  She's always the first one to say "hi" and makes new friends where ever she goes.  She's spontaneous and full of surprises.  She's true blue.  She tells you like it is, whether she loves it or doesn't.  She's imaginative and creative.  Her plate of food or her drink always has a little extra flair and she asks LOTS of questions.  She leaves a trail wherever she's been.  Now she's 7.   

Unfortunately, this is what I was doing the day of her birthday.  And I was in no mood to party.

So instead we celebrated by doing something special each day for several days leading up to her birthday.  Grammy made her a special Sunday dinner and Ella got to chose the menu.  Shrimp and bacon-wrapped steak!  Yum!
 
 And a special confetti cake, Ella's request :)

 Abby's first violin recital was the day before Ella's birthday.  Here is Abby with her violin teacher, Mrs. Collins.  Abby loves violin and did a great job on Twinkle Variation by Suzuki.

while Ella was in school that day I decorated the dining room.  Paper chains made from 

construction paper we had and

tissue paper rainbow made from this tutorial

grand total?  One Dollar!

then cake mix and food coloring

and pretty dishes

and a stack of colors

and frosting

and then, her smile when she walked in the door...

the reason

I do
 
what

I do :)

a certain 3rd grader informed me the rainbow colors were not in Roy G. Biv order

Ella didn't seem to mind


as usual, each gift was her "favorite"

and she even got a visit from her Grandma!