Happy 4th Birthday, Ellis

My baby, Ellis, turned 4-years old today. Four years old. Mike and I talk about the day Ellis was born, from time to time, and it is hard to explain how interesting she was from the moment she was born. It is also hard to explain how interesting she is now. You just have to hear the way she expresses herself, the way she focuses on a project, the way she remembers a song she has only heard twice and a long time ago, and the way she is able to put things together that you wouldn't expect from a kid her age. The day she was born, she gave us a look that was surprising from a newborn. She was taking everything in and clearly processing it in a way that was too sophisticated for that baby. She continues to blow our minds every day.

Here is Ellis with several of her birthday gifts -- a birthday dress, necklace, and sunglasses.  As she opened the presents (much like I always did), she wanted to put everything on.

And here are two of the books she got, including a book about how young Ellis Olander scored the golden goal for her soccer team to win the championship.  (More than could be hoped for either LSU or the Saints this year.  It was a baaaad football week for me.)

At 11am, the party began.  We had 8 kids over and let them run free in the basement, which is why we didn't get a tenant after our last one left.  There was a balloon fight between Ellis, Alastair, Jack, Lucas and Claire that was greatly entertaining.  (Check out the video.)  It was good clean fun until a balloon popped in Jack's face and really threw him.  But I got cuddles out of it and he stayed close to me for the rest of the party, which was really nice.  That is one sweet boy.

Ellis was beside herself happy to see her JUK friends, and has been talking about marrying Lucas again (another video forthcoming).  I asked her why and she told me he was the best boy in the whole world.  I asked what made him so great and she answered that he is fun, follows direction (which she pronounced "dedotion"), shares toys, and gives great hugs.  I must admit, these are excellent qualities.

Jack and Claire, dressed as Cinderella, played with blocks and built a stable for some of the toy horses.

Ellis dressed up as Supergirl and Sophia as a cheerleader.  Sophia has a new baby brother (he is 18 months younger than her), who we met.  He is gorgeous and sweet.  And he is giving Soph a run for her money.  He is no shrinking violet, and she is having to get used to sharing her space and the limelight.  This is no easy trick for her.  Sophie is tiny but has the personality of a giant.

Maisie and Bridget hung out in the teepee and guarded it, jealously. There were many, many shrieks and giggles; but mostly they just cooperated and played very well together.

We managed all of these kids with the help of a company called "The Help."  Two ladies, Michaela and Elisabeth (below with Jack and Alastair, building a farm), played with the kids, staged some of the activities, helped serve the food, etc.  It was fantastic.  This is when we really miss having grandparents around, but thankfully we had another option to turn to.

Lunch was served.  They started with cantaloupe and carrots, moved on to mini-burgers and fries, and finished with cupcakes from the new bakery at the end of our street.

Uncle James hung out with Ian until the music portion of the program.  We sang "Today is a Special Day" from Signing Time and signed along with it (you can catch a bit of it at :36 here).  Then there was a round of "Supercalifragilisticexpealodocious," at Sohpia's request.  Sophie used to make me sign that every morning when I dropped Ellis off at daycare.  We followed that up with a rousing rendition of "Old McDonald," "Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer" (another request), and "The Wheels of the Bus."  Having James play the piano really made the day.  It got the kids so much more involved in the songs than if we had done it without him.

Ellis getting ready to blow out candles.  She got them all in one try.

Afterwards, she was pretty wiped out.  She has had a cough for the past couple of nights that got quite croupy.  This evening, she got a fever too and asked to take a bath to get rid of the germs.  But she bounced back and gave us her own rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle."

It was a great day and party (expect the getting sick part).  Miss Ellis was a great hostess, drawing pictures on everyone's goodie bags and writing their names; giving great hugs to all; and sharing her toys beautifully.  It has been 4 great years with Ellis.  I can't wait to see what she does next.

A complete slideshow for your viewing pleasure:

Ellis' 4th B'day Party