Ella's 7!!

Unfortunately, Ella had to share her birthday with recital week, again.  After getting home from the show, we did just a little celebrating before the big party that weekend.

I can't tell you how excited she was to get a book for her birthday! HA!  We had to save the good stuff for the party.

On Saturday we went out to G-ma and G-pa F's house for Ella's annual swim party.  If you notice a strange face in the pictures, Ella brought her friend Olivia with us to celebrate the day.

REAL present time...

"Mom, I got a phone!!"

"Uh, no you didn't Ella.  G-ma and G-pa C got you an iPod."

She also got a super cool handheld Seadoo, so she can move quick under water 

from G-ma and G-pa F.  Along with many other great gifts...she was beyond excited.

She already got her wish for an ice cream cake.  I love how Ava and Gavin look like they're helping her blow the candles out.

Speaking of Gavin, when it comes to water he has turned over a new leaf.  I don't think he ever swam for more than 30 minutes at a time last year and putting his face under water would send him into a panic attack.  However, this year it's hard to keep him above the water.  He is jumping off the diving board...

Going down the slide...HEAD FIRST! And with Mom and/or Dad's help he swims without floaties. It's like he's part fish, as long as he has HIS goggles.  If he doesn't have HIS blue goggles you may as well leave the pool and go get them, because he's not getting in.

Side note...Ava can finally dive!!

And then there's the birthday girl...or thrill seeking daredevil.  While she can make it to the side of a pool OK, she is by no means a strong swimmer.  She does not let that deter her from jumping off the diving board, spending hours swimming, or turning a simple slide into a jumpy, bouncy, trampoline-like slide.  She makes me SO nervous.  Even the act of walking can become a dangerous activity for her.

I wish I could give you all of Ella's height and weight stats, but knowing that she wasn't due for any immunizations, I opted to skip the well-check up. I can tell you she is still tiny, probably still in the very low percentiles (just look at any pictures with her fiends). She is kindhearted, a great helper, an animal lover, a purse enthusiast, a killer soccer player, and a super fast, sassy, and smart 7 year old going on 16.  She can play a sweaty muddy game of soccer, and then put on heels, a dress, and a purse to go for a walk around the block. 

You have our hearts Ella...Happy birthday munchkin!