Ella's 4th Birthday

Ella is four years old. It seems strange to write that down, but it is true. It seems as if this birthday has changed her alot. Almost as if she made the decision to grow up, and stop being a toddler overnight. She is a pre-schooler now, but even that seems an ill fitting term for her, she seems older than that. But she for now is our youngest and she is growing all the time.

What is Ella like at 4 years of age? That is a complex question. Though Ella likes her older sister and likes to imitate he in some ways, she truly is her own person and is so unlike her sister that it is easy to see that they are totally different people.

1. Ella is a private person. By this, I mean with her feelings. She is a person that feels deeply and loves or hurts with all she is. I think that this makes her be less obivious with her outward displays of affection. Also she watches people a lot before she opens up to them. But this does not mean that she is not emotional, or caring, quite the opposite. She is very emotional and many times seeks other less obvious ways to show her feeling. (For example hunting tirelessly for the perfect gift for her father and sister at Christmas).

2. Ella is quick in school. She has worked hard at reading and at this time seems to catch on quickly to her lessons. She likes to read. Even during movies she displays more of her mother and grandmother, than her father (when she walks away from the things being watched and gets a book or something else to do).

3. Ella loves to snack. Food is not as important as snacks. If possible she would love to eat everything while we are not at the table.

4. Ella is loyal, and has her own brand of justice that she feels strongly about. Justice should be given even if a little revenge is involved.

5. Ella likes to build. Legos and blocks are things she enjoys. Not to simply have a house or structure to play with, but she seems to enjoy the challenge of the building itself and the joy of doing it.

6. Ella enjoys books, Polly-pockets, dancing, new things, sometimes being better than her sister in something, dancing, singing, and time spent when she can connect with her parents all alone.

7. Ella dislikes- talking to strangers, being mocked or being made fun of (this makes her really angry), vegetables, being too cold, and most new American food she eats.

8. Ella is like a jewelry box. It has a hidden way to open it, but when it is open there are wonderful things inside. Some children are very much the open book, but others take time. Not so much quantity, but real quality. Ella is one of these kids. They are the kind of people that in this modern world of hussle and hassle, misses out on. They are the kind of people that need to be walked with for about an hour and then they open up, and their friends and family then get to see all the things going on inside. Overall the key seems to be patience and time.

I hope that as the years come and go I will be able to understand, love, and guide this wonderful little girl that the Lord has given me. We will see what this next year holds.