Happy 5th Birthday, Ellie!

Dear sweet Ellie,

Today you turned five years old! We celebrated over several days, and I think you enjoyed it very much. On Saturday, you opened a dress and sandals, to wear to a ladies' tea at our church. Last evening, we served your birthday dinner and opened presents. We ate baked macaroni and cheese with bacon, biscuits, and salad. Daddy and I got you a big girl's bike, and Katie made you a two-story cardboard house for all your paper doll creations. This evening, we had your birthday dessert choice - waffle ice cream cones.

Ellie, you are a joy to our family. Grandma Berreth says you are our little sparkler, and I think that description fits you perfectly. You do put fun into everything with your enthusiastic personality. You love to laugh, and frequently get the rest of us laughing right along with you.

You are learning a lot about getting along with others, as I watch you bounce back and forth between playing with Katie and Silas. With Katie, you usually play pretend "grown-up" games such as being mommies taking care of babies and throwing tea parties for your friends. When you play with Silas, you show him how to spin around until he's dizzy, or crawl around barking like a puppy. It's such fun to watch the different dynamics between you and your siblings.

A few weeks ago, we finished going through the entire alphabet; your letter recognition has improved tons this year. Last fall, you were easily frustrated with learning the alphabet. Now, you know almost all the letters, and you love to write and spell. You will say, "How do you spell...?" You like to write pretend invitations to tea parties. You have also grown vastly in your confidence at drawing. You were so impatient with yourself several months ago. You would cry and give up easily, even with lots of help and encouragement. Now, you love to try your drawing skills out, sometimes picking rather difficult subjects from a unique perspective. You like to make colorful paper doll cut-outs, adding lovely, long eyelashes to the girls' faces.

Ellie, you are faithful to remember your friends in prayer. Every time you pray aloud, you remember the same friends who need to know Jesus, or have a chronic issue. In October, when I was telling a Bible story before bed, you confessed belief in Jesus Christ. Daddy and I are thankful that you show love for Him. A verse that you were interested in memorizing this year was Numbers 6:25-26. It was on a poster in your Clubhouse Jr. magazine, with a picture of a lamb in a meadow. "May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you His peace."

We love you, sweet girl. We praise God that He gave us such a wonderful daughter. We are thankful for you life. Happy 5th Birthday! Love, Mommy