Ella's 10th Birthday!

Since Ella's 10th birthday happened to land on the same day as Easter this year, I decided weeks ago to postpone Easter until April 7th.  Luckily, my parents and brothers were fine doing this as none of them have little children who are anxiously awaiting Easter baskets and egg hunts.  So, with the exception of going to church today and listening to the Easter program, this entire day was devoted to Ella and celebrating her birthday.  We started off the morning with our traditional, birthday breakfast and finished off the day with a family dinner party with my parents.  Ella is always my middle child who never gets enough attention, but always wants more.  As a result, her birthday is a dream come true for her every year.  She thoroughly enjoyed having the day be centered around her and she loved eating her favorite foods and opening up her gifts.  I am grateful for this chance that we had to celebrate this wonderful girl.  She burst into our world ten years ago with so much energy and enthusiasm that I didn't even have time to get an epidural.  Ten years later, she is full of that same energy and enthusiasm in everything she does from school to gymnastics to theater to being around friends and family.  I love her to pieces and am so grateful that she is part of our family!

The boys posing with Ella before she blows out the candles on her birthday waffles.

Ella blowing out her candles after we sang "Happy Birthday" to you.

Our family ready to eat Ella's birthday dinner.  She requested ham, homemade mac 'n cheese, carrots, deviled eggs, rolls, and a fruit platter.

Ella posing in front of her gifts before opening them.

Ella proudly showing off her new pair of Converse shoes.

Holding up her gymnastics sweatshirt that she chose at the state championship meet last week.

Ella holding up the historical, American Girl Doll, Josefina, that she has wanted for a few years now.

Ella opening up her last gift wit her silly brothers at her side.

A very happy Ella holding up my old Stanley that I decided to gift to her after receiving a new one from the company for free.

My mom makes a small baby quilt for all of her grandchildren when they are born and another larger quilt for the 10th birthday.  Ella has eagerly been awaiting this gift for several years now.  Here she is proudly posing with her beautiful quilt with her grandma and Emmett after opening it up.  This quilt is truly a labor of love and a family heirloom that Ella will treasure for the rest of her life.

Ella asked for a chocolate cream pie for her birthday dessert.  Here she is waiting to blow out her candles for the last time this weekend.

Ella and her siblings posing together.

A rare family photo that I had my mom take of the six of us.

The happy 10-year old enjoying her dessert at the end of her party.