I'm 2

Ellie's birthday this year was so much fun, in part, because she knew just how she wanted to celebrate. She asked for a princess party and a birthday cake with candles to "flow out" and she also told us she wanted a princess pinata. Birthday parties are a Big Deal in Mexico and we had been to enough of them for Ellie to know that pinatas are a rite of passage. There was a great pinata shop across the street from our grocery store in Monterrey and she and Alex helped us choose the most beautiful Cinderella pinata. (Believe it or not we bought the smallest one they make!) We were moving from Monterrey the week of Ellie's birthday, so we loaded up the pinata and drove it all the way to California for the party. I've back posted this on her birthday.
Ellie is busy all the time. She is hardly ever satisfied with the way I've organized things in our home and so she spends much of her time making sure the kleenex boxes are under the end tables, the spoons are in my shoes, and the little bits in either the basket of the paper shredder or the garbage cans. (I mean, that IS where that stuff goes, mom) Although it takes her awhile to warm up, once she's made friends, Ellie LOVES her friends. She knows their names and wants to have them come over and play, but under no circumstance are they to play with her things. They can play with Alex's stuff. Ellie has brought so much joy and fun and laughter to our family. She is a bright, shiny star. Her reserved nature is teaching me about loyalty and friendship. I love you, Ellie. I can't wait to see the woman you're becoming. So far, the journey has been beautiful.