Happy happy 7th birthday Ella!

The beautiful birthday girl!!

Thinking seriously about the birthday wish she is about to make!

A table full of friends helping celebrate Ella's special day

RUN!!! It was an hour full of noodle and freeze tag, and a little soccer in between.

Showing my not Martha Stewart side ;-) Free-hand painting pumpkins to look like soccer balls is actually a much harder task that it seems!

Taking time to thank everyone for their gifts.

7 years ago today this princess was born. Opening presents from the family.

At our house, you get to set the menu (within reason) on your birthday. Ella's dessert request= pumpkin pie with whipped cream!!

DISCLAIMER: Yes I know the pictures seem a little blurry/off color :-( The soccerplex where we had her birthday is probably the worst possible place to get a decent picture in. I probably took over 100 pictures and these were the best of the worst. Also, I think our camera is trying to die a slow death so it just thinks really hard before taking pictures and in the end, we again have less than desirable pictures.

It is so much fun to celebrate you turning another year older Ella. This year you have grown up so much! I'm constantly amazed by your knowledge, your vocabulary, your imagination and your heart. Everyone you meet is instantly your friend and you go out of your way to make sure they are included and loved. You often cause me to stop and think with your questions. Your sisters adore you. Your mommy and daddy think you are the best Ella ever =)

We celebrated by inviting friends to join Ella at the soccerplex nearby for soccer/tag fun. Mommy loved that they provided a coach to wrangle all 24 friends/siblings of friends for an entire hour! When we were discussing locations for the birthday party, I suggested a pumpkin patch like we have done in the past because we aren't as limited with the number of friends who can come. Ella, sharp as a tack, replies "Don't you think that 6 years at the pumpkin patch might be a little much?!?" I did manage to convince her of the pumpkin soccer balls ;-) Its seems a shame not to utilize such a plentiful and inexpensive item for party favors!

***It is now December 14th as I am finishing this blog post about Ella's birthday. With all the ideas floating around on Pinterest, I had high expectations to have Ella complete a little questionnaire about herself at age 7. The caveat that I forgot was that I usually blog while Ella is at school thus making it very difficult to ask her questions....oops! Better late than never though, right?

Favorite animal: a unicorn
Favorite food to eat: sweets
Things I don't like to eat: anything made with avocado
Favorite thing to do: dance
Favorite show/movie: Dora
What are you really good at? well, dancing. That's why its my favorite thing.
Favorite book: Magic Tree House
What do you want to be when you grow up? a veterinarian

Happy happy birthday sweet baby girl!! We love you so much.