Ella is 3!

This year Ella finally understood what birthdays entail so she has been looking forward to her birthday for a while.  We knew we were just going to do a family celebration because she still hasn't figured how to be warm and welcoming to those outside our family yet.  ;)

She requested a small handful of things for her special day:

Chocolate chip waffles, bacon, nectarines, and chocolate milk for breakfast

Going to the movies and eating lots of popcorn

Getting balloons

A pink chocolate cake

So we started out the day at the Dollar Tree and let her pick out her balloons.

After naps we met up with my parents at the dollar theater to go see Cinderella.  In case you weren't aware, Ella is convinced that she is Cinderella -- both the cartoon and the Lily James version.  In both movies she yells and points, "That's me!"  She requested all week to sit between Lily and Nanni and her wish was granted.  My mom's favorite part was when Cinderella was running down the stairs and Ella looked around and said, "Shh shhh!  This is my favorite part!" [It was Ella's first time seeing the 2015 version, ha!]

After eating an embarrassing amount of popcorn, we went home for Ella's birthday dinner, which she wanted to have nothing to do with thanks to all the junk she got to eat at the theater.  But when it was time for cake she was ready to eat again!  Thank goodness because I spent the entire previous evening making the cake, chocolate buttercream, and fondant....

I don't think anyone in our family has ever received such well-suited gifts as Ella did for her birthday this year.  Nanni and Papa spoiled her with Princess Sofia toys, including her very own amulet.  Naturally Ella wore it to church today.

We gave her a tutu and ballet shoes which she went crazy over.

For the past few weeks Ella has been asking where her tricycle has gone.  I was just trying to hold her off for her birthday so that she would be excited about her new balance bike.

Ella immediately wanted to put on her new ballet gear.  She showed us her different dance positions...

But this wouldn't be a genuine blog post if I didn't add her very toddler-ish ballet moves...

The beloved amulet

Thad: Everyone's busy and distracted.  Now is the perfect time to steal Ella's new bike!!!

Ella's favorite non-family member is Miss Tamera (Miss "Tamerum" to Ella) who lives across the street from us.  She freaks out whenever she sees her outside or at the pool but especially in her blue jeep.  A couple of months ago, Tamera asked me if she would want a ride around the neighborhood on her birthday.  I knew Ella would love it and so she pulled up today in her jeep and became Ella's chauffeur.  We even let her sit in the front seat since we were just driving around in a small circle.           

Ella just about died from happiness.

I somehow managed to photobomb this one.

We are so grateful that Ella is a part of our family.  She has such a unique and lovable personality that I truly consider each day with her a gift.  Plus, she has the magical hair...

Happy 3rd birthday Ella!